NEC Code Amendments Lead to Significant Cost Savings
Extended Run Code Information
In 2002, the National Electrical Code (NEC) was amended to allow exposed runs of certain tray cable (TC) and Power Limited Tray Cable (PLTC). The amendment specifies that under certain conditions, PLTC cable rated by UL as “exposed run” may be extended from a cable tray by a maximum length of 50 ft. (15m). And type TC exposed run rated cable may be extended any length. This code change is advantageous because metal-clad (MC) cable or conduit is no longer required, resulting in significant material and installation cost savings. Exposed Run rated cable must meet specific crush and impact requirements.
Northwire ITC types GP(ER), RS(ER) and DB(ER) meet the NEC 2002 requirements and are UL listed as exposed run rated PLTC. Other Northwire Direct product lines featuring exposed run-rated cables are DataCELL® FIELD cables for Foundation fieldbus ™, Profibus® DP, Profibus® PA, and HART–compatible cable.
ITC Cable
The ITC Cable designation was added to the National Electrical Code in 1996 to meet contemporary demands for small-diameter, lower-cost cable for industrial and process control and instrumentation. The newer ITC specification is simpler to interpret than the older UL 13 specification for PLTC. The code change made it legal to use a wiring method that had been used effectively for years on offshore oilrigs.
Instrumentation Tray Cable is defined in Article 727 of the National Electrical Code. Cable construction and testing is described in UL 2250. Article 727 defines cable to be used for remote instrumentation and controls in industrial environments under certain conditions. Most notably, it is a cable designed with 300V insulation rating, but limited in use for 150V or less with a 5-Amp maximum current. Also the conductor is limited to sizes not smaller than AWG 22 and not larger than AWG 12. Please refer to the NEC, UL and other publications for more information.
Complimentary Sample
ITC/PLTC Cable Selection Guide
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