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Class 2 Remote-control, Signaling and Power-limited Circuits

Class 2 Remote-control, Signaling and Power-limited Circuits

This chapter establishes requirements for power supplies and wiring methods for Class 2 remote-control, signaling, and power-limited circuits that are not an integral part of a device or appliance.

E4301 — General

E4301.1 Scope. This chapter contains requirements for power supplies and wiring methods associated with Class 2 remote-control, signaling, and power-limited circuits that are not an integral part of a device or appliance. Other classes of remote-control, signaling and power-limited conductors shall comply with Article 725 of NFPA 70.

E4301.2 Definitions.

CLASS 2 CIRCUIT. That portion of the wiring system between the load side of a Class 2 power source and the connected equipment. Due to its power limitations, a Class 2 circuit considers safety from a fire initiation standpoint and provides acceptable protection from electric shock.

REMOTE-CONTROL CIRCUIT. Any electrical circuit that controls any other circuit through a relay or an equivalent device.

SIGNALING CIRCUIT. Any electrical circuit that energizes signaling equipment.

E4302 — Power Sources

E4302.1 Power sources for Class 2 circuits. The power source for a Class 2 circuit shall be one of the following:

  • A listed Class 2 transformer
  • A listed Class 2 power supply
  • Other listed equipment marked to identify the Class 2 power source
  • Listed information technology (computer) equipment limited power circuits
  • A dry cell battery provided that the voltage is 30 volts or less and the capacity is equal to or less than that available from series connected No. 6 carbon zinc cells

E4302.2 Interconnection of power sources. A Class 2 power source shall not have its output connections paralleled or otherwise interconnected with another Class 2 power source except where listed for such interconnection.

E4303 — Wiring Methods

E4303.1 Wiring methods on supply side of Class 2 power source. Conductors and equipment on the supply side of the power source shall be installed in accordance with the appropriate requirements of Chapters 34 through 41. Transformers or other devices supplied from electric light or power circuits shall be protected by an over current device rated at not over 20 amperes. The input leads of a transformer or other power source supplying Class 2 circuits shall be permitted to be smaller than 14 AWG, ifnot over 12 inches (305 mm) long and if the conductor insulation is rated at not less than 600 volts. In no case shall such leads be smaller than 18 AWG.

E4303.2 Wiring methods and materials on load side of the Class 2 power source. Class 2 cables installed as wiring within buildings shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire and listed as meeting the criteria specified in Sections E4303.2.1 through E4303.2.3. Cables shall be marked in accordance with Section E4303.2.4. Cable substitutions as described in Table E4303.2 and wiring methods covered in Chapter 38 shall also be permitted.

A table appears here in the adopted code. Refer to the official source for the full table.

E4303.2.1 Type CL2P cables. Cables installed in ducts, plenums and other spaces used to convey environmental air shall be Type CL2P cables listed as being suitable for the use and listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low smoke-producing characteristics. E4303.2.2 Type CL2 cables. Cables for general-purpose use, shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire and listed for the use. E4303.2.3 Type CL2X cables. Type CL2X limited-use cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in dwellings and for the use and in raceways and shall also be listed as being flame retardant. Cables with a diameter of less than ¼ inch (6.4 mm) shall be permitted to be installed without a raceway. E4303.2.4 Marking. Cables shall be marked in accordance with Table E4303.2. Voltage ratings shall not be marked on cables.

E4303.2.1 Type CL2P cables. Cables installed in ducts, plenums and other spaces used to convey environmental air shall be Type CL2P cables listed as being suitable for the use and listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low smoke-producing characteristics.

E4303.2.2 Type CL2 cables. Cables for general-purpose use, shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire and listed for the use.

E4303.2.3 Type CL2X cables. Type CL2X limited-use cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in dwellings and for the use and in raceways and shall also be listed as being flame retardant. Cables with a diameter of less than ¼ inch (6.4 mm) shall be permitted to be installed without a raceway.

E4303.2.4 Marking. Cables shall be marked in accordance with Table E4303.2. Voltage ratings shall not be marked on cables.

E4304 — Installation Requirements

E4304.1 Separation from other conductors. In cables, compartments, enclosures, outlet boxes, device boxes, and race-ways, conductors of Class 2 circuits shall not be placed in any cable, compartment, enclosure, outlet box, device box, raceway,

or similar fitting with conductors of electric light, power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits.

Exceptions: Where the conductors of the electric light, power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits are separated by a barrier from the Class 2 circuits. In enclosures, Class 2 circuits shall be permitted to be installed in a raceway within the enclosure to separate them from Class 1, electric light, power and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits Class 2 conductors in compartments, enclosures, device boxes, outlet boxes and similar fittings where electric light, power, Class 1 or nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are introduced solely to connect to the equipment connected to the Class 2 circuits. The electric light, power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors shall be routed to maintain a minimum of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) separation from the conductors and cables of the Class 2 circuits; or the electric light power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors operate at 150 volts or less to ground and the Class 2 circuits are installed using Types CL3, CL3R, or CL3P or permitted substitute cables, and provided that these Class 3 cable conductors extending beyond their jacket are separated by a minimum of ¼ inc (6.4 mm) or by a nonconductive sleeve or nonconductive barrier from all other conductors.

Exceptions:

  • Where the conductors of the electric light, power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits are separated by a barrier from the Class 2 circuits. In enclosures, Class 2 circuits shall be permitted to be installed in a raceway within the enclosure to separate them from Class 1, electric light, power and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits
  • Class 2 conductors in compartments, enclosures, device boxes, outlet boxes and similar fittings where electric light, power, Class 1 or nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are introduced solely to connect to the equipment connected to the Class 2 circuits. The electric light, power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors shall be routed to maintain a minimum of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) separation from the conductors and cables of the Class 2 circuits; or the electric light power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors operate at 150 volts or less to ground and the Class 2 circuits are installed using Types CL3, CL3R, or CL3P or permitted substitute cables, and provided that these Class 3 cable conductors extending beyond their jacket are separated by a minimum of ¼ inc (6.4 mm) or by a nonconductive sleeve or nonconductive barrier from all other conductors.

E4304.2 Other applications. Conductors of Class 2 circuits shall be separated by not less than 2 inches (51 mm) from conductors of any electric light, power, Class 1 or nonpower-limited fire alarm circuits except where one of the following conditions is met:

  • All of the electric light, power, Class 1 and nonpower-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are in raceways or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, nonmetallic-sheathed or Type UF cables
  • All of the Class 2 circuit conductors are in raceways or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, nonmetallic-sheathed or Type UF cables

E4304.3 Class 2 circuits with communications circuits. Where Class 2 circuit conductors are in the same cable as communications circuits, the Class 2 circuits shall be classified as communications circuits and shall meet the requirements of Article 800 ofNFPA 70. The cables shall be listed as communications cables or multipurpose cables.

Cables constructed of individually listed Class 2 and communications cables under a common jacket shall be permitted to be classified as communications cables. The fire-resistance rating of the composite cable shall be determined by the performance of the composite cable.

E4304.4 Class 2 cables with other circuit cables. Jacketed cables of Class 2 circuits shall be permitted in the same enclosure or raceway with jacketed cables of any of the following:

  • Power-limited fire alarm systems in compliance with Article 760 of NFPA 70.
  • Nonconductive and conductive optical fiber cables in compliance with Article 770 of NFPA 70
  • Communications circuits in compliance with Article 800 ofNFPA 70
  • Community antenna television and radio distribution systems in compliance with Article 820 of NFPA 70
  • Low-power, network-powered broadband communications in compliance with Article 830 of NFPA 70

E4304.5 Installation of conductors and cables. Cables and conductors installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be supported by the building structure in such a manner that they will not be damaged by normal building use. Such cables shall be supported by straps, staples, hangers, cable ties or similar fittings designed so as to not damage the cable. The installation shall comply with Table E3802.1 regarding cables run parallel with framing members and fur-ring strips. The installation of wires and cables shall not prevent access to equipment nor prevent removal of panels, including suspended ceiling panels. Raceways shall not be used as a means of support for Class 2 circuit conductors, except where the supporting raceway contains conductors supplying power to the functionally associated equipment controlled by the Class 2 conductors.

Worked example

Scenario: An office building is installing a new low-voltage access control system, which utilizes Class 2 circuits, alongside existing 120V power and communication wiring in ceiling plenums and wall cavities.

Explanation: To comply with E4304.1, the Class 2 wiring for the access control system must be routed in separate raceways or enclosures, or within dedicated compartments, and cannot be placed in the same cables, boxes, or conduits as the 120V power or other non-Class 2 communication conductors.

Frequently asked questions

What types of circuits are addressed by Chapter 43?

Chapter 43 covers Class 2 remote-control, signaling, and power-limited circuits that are not integrated into a device or appliance.

What are the wiring requirements for the supply side of a Class 2 power source?

Conductors and equipment on the supply side of a Class 2 power source must be installed according to the requirements specified in Chapters 34 through 41.

Can Class 2 circuit conductors share space with other types of conductors?

No, Class 2 circuit conductors must be kept separate from other conductors within cables, compartments, enclosures, outlet boxes, device boxes, and raceways.

Where verbatim source text is shown, it is reproduced from the code as adopted into law by the jurisdiction, sourced from public.resource.org under the government edicts doctrine (see Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, Inc., 590 U.S. 255 (2020)). This material reflects enacted law and is provided for reference and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect local amendments or the most recently adopted edition. Always verify requirements with the authority having jurisdiction.