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Separation of Power & IT Cabling

This technical bulletin provides information on separation requirements for power and information technology cabling. It discusses general separation views and requirements in standards. The document outlines factors that determine minimum separation distances and provides a table of distance requirements between different cable types with and without separators.

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Vijay Kumar
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134 views5 pages

Separation of Power & IT Cabling

This technical bulletin provides information on separation requirements for power and information technology cabling. It discusses general separation views and requirements in standards. The document outlines factors that determine minimum separation distances and provides a table of distance requirements between different cable types with and without separators.

Uploaded by

Vijay Kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Technical bulletin

Separation of power and information technology cabling

Date: 08/2006

This technical bulletin provides you with information on specific technical subjects. It is based on the
current rules and regulations and on our current test results. The contents of this document is not
legally binding.
Separation of power and information technology cabling

General view
The requirement for a safe separation of cables for power and information technology
cabling within an cable management system has various reasons: the topmost
priority is electrical safety. An additional reason in the electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) of the electrical system.

Requirements of the standards

To maintain the required electrical safety, it is not fully necessary to lay the different
current types separately, with the separation in the form of a separation bar. Cables
with different voltage levels can be laid in shared compartments (cable ducting
systems CDS, cable trunking systems CTS, cable support systems, installation
pipes, etc.) without additional separation, if a voltage resistance against the
maximum possible voltage is ensured (DIN VDE 0100-520). This safety aspect is
usually achieved using appropriate insulation of the lines and cables used.

Regarding the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of communication cabling, EN


50172 Part 2 specifies some key conditions.
Here, two were specified for the minimum spacing of low voltage and data cables for
the three areas: primary cabling (service connection), secondary cabling
(connection of the individual floors) and tertiary cabling (connections on one floor).

Requirements of communication cables

Due to the physical properties of communication cables, there is the necessity for
spatial separation of cables of different current types. This can be done by
maintaining a minimum spacing, either by using multidraw duct systems, or by using
separating retainers within a duct system.
Separation of power and information technology cabling

The minimum spacing between communication cables and power cables is


dependent on many factors, for example:

a) the immunity level of the IT cabling of connected units against different


electromagnetic influences (transients, lightning pulses, pulse bursts, continuous
wave transmissions, etc.);
b) the adaptation of the connection units to the earthing concept;
c) the local electromagnetic environment (simultaneous occurrence of influences,
e.g. harmonics, pulse bursts and continuous wave transmissions);
d) the electromagnetic spectrum;
e) the distance over which the cables run in parallel (coupling zone);
f) the cable type;
g) the screening attenuation of the cables;
h) the quality of the installation of the connectors on the cable;
i) the type and connection of the cable gland system.
Separation of power and information technology cabling

Minimum distances to be maintained

The occurrence of any of the above factors can mean that a minimum spacing or
separation is required.
In the coupling zone specified under e), it is possible to lay cables with different
current types without spacing. However, such areas are only permitted for short
ranges and are only valid for the tertiary area (cabling within one floor). As soon as
the tertiary cabling has reached a length of >35 m, separation is required. The last 15
m of this section can then be laid without separation or a separating retainer.
In primary and secondary areas, the distance between power cables and IT cables
is required according to the following table:

Type of installation Distance A


Without
separating
Aluminium
retainer or non- Steel separating
separating
metallic retainer
retainer
separating
retainer 1)
Unscreened power cables and unscreened IT 200 mm 100 mm 50 mm
cables
Unscreened power cables and screened IT 50 mm 20 mm 5 mm
cables 2)
Screened power cables and unscreened IT 30 mm 10 mm 2 mm
cables
Screened power cables and screened IT 0 mm 0 mm 0 mm
cables 2)
1) It is assumed that, in the case of metallic separating retainers, the dimensioning of the cable laying
system can provide screening attenuation appropriate to the material of the separating retainer.
2) The screened IT cables must correspond to the standards given in the series EN 50288.

Note:
This table is currently being revised. As soon as up-to-date data is available, the
contents will be corrected.
Separation of power and information technology cabling

Closing comments

The frequently asked question of whether separation of different cable types is


actually necessary or is specified in the standards cannot generally be answered with
"Yes" or "No". The necessity is dependent on local factors, on the cables to be laid
and on the quality of the installations.
In general, we recommend the use of separators in our wall trunking systems and
cable trunking systems. Besides being tidy, there are also positive impacts on the
EMC of networks.
An additional advantage of separation is in the common installation practice, in which
the power cables and the IT cables are laid by different installation companies. In this
case, the guarantee for the provided service also plays a role.
There are, therefore, many good reasons for using separating retainers in duct
systems.

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