How does the 2023 NEC simplify elevator cable installation?
Overview
Due to the wide variety of equipment required in an elevator car, many different types
of cabling systems may be required to be routed to the elevator car. Substantiation was
made in the 2023 NEC Section 620.36 specifying specific types of cables permitted to
be installed within the traveling cable or raceway. This substantiation not only creates
the ability for systems to be customized for their specific requirements, but it simplifies
the installation process as well. Moving forward, these new
cabling systems may be added to the traveling cable, and will not require a separate
cabling bundle to be ran to the car.
Applying the 2023 Code
| Section 620.36 in the 2023 NEC now includes permission to include shielded pair(s), coaxial, and other communication circuits. While the ability to do so has existed in previous editions of the NEC, these new rules eliminate the requirement for the conductors in these lower-voltage circuits to be able to withstand the voltage of any other conductor within the traveling cable. Additionally, Section 620.36 specifies that type CMP-LP and CMR-LP cables that meet the requirements of 800.179 may also be installed in the traveling cable. With elevator cars receiving newer and more advanced technologies, the need for data transfer is becoming more prevalent. These new code requirements will allow the electrical professional and the NEC to stay current with technological advancements. Now camera systems, WIFI systems, and other communication circuits, can be easily fed from the traveling cable, without the need for a separate cable drop. |
What’s New for the 2023 NEC?
2020 NEC
In the 2020 NEC Section 620.36 read as follows:
| 620.36 Different Systems in One Raceway or Traveling Cable.
Optical fiber cables and conductors for operating devices, operation and motion control, power, signaling, fire alarm, lighting, heating, and air-conditioning circuits of 1000 volts or less shall be permitted to be run in the same traveling cable or raceway system if all conductors are insulated for the maximum voltage applied to any conductor within the cables or raceway system and if all live parts of the equipment are insulated from ground for this maximum voltage. Such a traveling cable or raceway shall also be permitted to include shielded conductors and/or one or more coaxial cables if such conductors are insulated for the maximum voltage applied to any conductor within the cable or raceway system. Conductors shall be permitted to be covered with suitable shielding for telephone, audio, video, or higher frequency communications circuits. |
2023 NEC
In the 2023 NEC Section 620.36 now reads as follows:
| 620.36 Different Systems in One Raceway or Traveling Cable.
Optical fiber cables and conductors for operating devices, operation and motion control, power, signaling, fire alarm, lighting, heating, and air-conditioning circuits of 1000 volts or less shall be permitted to be run in the same traveling cable or raceway system if all conductors are insulated for the maximum voltage applied to any conductor within the cables or raceway system and if all live parts of the equipment are insulated from ground for this maximum voltage. Traveling cable or raceway shall also be permitted to include shielded pairs, coaxial cables, and other communications circuits. Type CMP-LP or CMR-LP cables complying with 800.179 shall be permitted in raceways. |
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