SECTION 16120 LOW VOLTAGE WIRES, CABLES AND CONNECTORS

This spec was part of the Des Plaines, IL River WRF project that bid Feb 26, 2015.

SECTION 16120

LOW VOLTAGE WIRES, CABLES AND CONNECTORS



PART 1 GENERAL

1.1 RELATED REQUIREMENTS

A. Application provisions of Division 0 and Division 1 shall govern work under this Section.

1.2 SCOPE

A. Provide wires, cables and connectors as specified herein.

1.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Reference Standards of the following associations.
1. National Electrical Contractor's Association (NECA) - Standard of Installation
2. Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA)


PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.1 WIRE CONDUCTORS

A. Copper Conductor only.

B. Insulated with 600 volt insulation and color code conductors for low voltage (secondary feeders and branch circuits) as required by code.

C. Type THHN solid or stranded: Single conductor No. 10 AWG and smaller for general use wiring. No. 12 AWG minimum size.

D. Type THW or THHN Stranded: Single conductor No. 8 AWG and larger for general use wiring. Conductor triple rated for use as types THHN, THWN and MTW is approved.

E. Conductors installed in wet locations and areas with high humidity shall be type THW or XHHW. Wet locations shall include, but not be limited to, conduits installed in direct contact with the earth and underground electrical ductbanks.

F. Conductors shall not be installed at temperatures below the manufacturer’s minimum installation temperature.

2.2 COMMUNICATIONS CABLES

A. Communications cables shall be the type as called for in the specifications and drawings for the installation of various communications systems.

B. Communications cables installed in cable trays shall be approved for use in cable tray and shall be of fire resistive construction.

C. Cables routed exposed through return air ceiling plenums shall be smoke resistance teflon coated cable classified as type CLP or CMP communications cable.

2.3 JOINTS, TAPS AND SPLICES

A. Conductors No. 10 AWG and Smaller: 3M Scotch-lok compression type solderless connectors with plastic cover.

B. Joints, Taps, and Splices in Conductors No. 8 AWG and Larger: Solderless compression type connectors, tool and die applied, of a type that will not loosen under vibration or normal strains. Burndy "Hy-Dent" type or equivalent.


PART 3 EXECUTION

3.1 INSTALLATION

A. Run wire and cable in conduit, unless otherwise indicated on drawings.

3.2 JOINTS, TAPS AND SPLICES

A. Each tap, joint, or splice in conductors No. 8 AWG and larger shall be taped with two half-lap layers of vinyl plastic electrical tape and a finish wrap of color coding tape, where required by code. Electrical tape shall be 3M Scotch brand.

B. Cable splices shall be made only in distribution and junction boxes.

3.3 WIRE AND CABLE IDENTIFICATION

A. Install label tags on wire and cable in junction boxes, pullboxes, wireways, and wiring gutters of panels. Tags identify wire or cable number and/or equipment served as shown on drawings.

B. Different conductor insulation colors and electrical tape colors shall be used to identify the different conductors in a given circuit. Code requirements shall always be followed where applicable.  In general, colors shall be as follows;
1. 120/208 volt systems neutral conductor - solid white. Provide additional markings for neutral conductors in the same raceway as required by code.
2. 120/208-volt systems A-phase, B-phase, and C-phase unswitched legs. Solid black, solid red, and solid blue respectively. Different colors shall be used to identify switched legs.
3. 480/277 volt systems neutral conductor - solid gray. Provide additional markings for neutral conductors in the same raceway as required by code.
4. 480/277 volt systems A-phase, B-phase, and C-phase unswitched legs.  Solid brown, solid orange, and solid yellow respectively. Different colors shall be used to identify switched legs.

5. Ground Conductors - solid green. Provide additional markings for ground conductors in the same raceway as required by code.

C. For additions to existing buildings, existing conductor color coding schemes shall be followed unless in conflict with the codes.  If no logical color coding scheme exists, color coding indicated above shall be followed.

3.4 LIGHTING FIXTURE OUTLETS

A. Use conductor with insulation suitable for current, voltage, and temperature to which conductor will be subjected

B. No. 12 wire size minimum for conductors supplying power to a single fixture.  600V insulation minimum.

C. Insulation suitable for operation at 90 degrees C. minimum for lighting fixtures with integral ballast, mogul base sockets, quartz lamps, or otherwise where subject to excessive temperatures.

D. Fixture wiring shall be continuous wiring system to lampholder or to ballast and from ballast to lampholder.

3.5 TAGS AND LABELS

A. Provide metal or flame-resistant adhesive label tags and identify the cable source, use and destination.

B. Line voltage conductors shall be identified by circuit number using sleeve type adhesive markers.




END OF SECTION