Canadian Electrical/Fire Codes - in wall cables

[BrendonR]

Hi folks...

I'm in the process of some cable management in my living room home theater (see the gallery).

I have a powerbridge setup, so that will be fine - I don't have any questions in the POWER world.

My questions come when it's time to deal with LOW VOLTAGE. Can anybody confirm for me, the fire/electrical codes when it comes to speaker wire, and HDMI cables? I'm currently running basic 14gauge wire through the basement ceiling from front to back to my surrounds. Do I need to change this out for some in wall rated speaker cable? I'm also planing on (along w/ my powerbridge) running an HDMI from my TV to Receiver. Do I need to replace w/ a CL2 rated HDMI cable?

Specifically, I'm in Calgary Alberta Canada. Can anybody help me out w/ codes?

Thanks very much,

BrendonR

[Geezer00003]

I don't think you have anything to worry about.
Never heard of A/V cables needing to meet codes as is the case with electrical wiring.
The issue you need to worry about is gauge of wire for longer lengths.

[gearyt]

If I remember correctly , standards are very simular
locally here, now, all low voltage in commercial must be armored,
residentual must be plenum rated ( CL )
and the code issue is the covering IE: PVC ( fire code )
anything that catches fire must not emit harmful vapors

[BrendonR]

Originally Posted by gearyt

If I remember correctly , standards are very simular
locally here, now, all low voltage in commercial must be armored,
residentual must be plenum rated ( CL )
and the code issue is the covering IE: PVC ( fire code )
anything that catches fire must not emit harmful vapors

OOhh... that's interesting...

I've always looked at it as, "don't put it in the wall, lest it start a fire"... BUT, fire codes aren't worried about it STARTING the fire, but rather, what happens to it when it's already ON fire!

very interesting...

[Belloche]

I'm an electrical student. I took a quick look through the Canadian Electrical Code and couldn't find anything relating to A/V conductors in the home. I'll ask my instructor for you. My guess is that you're fine.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by Belloche

I'm an electrical student. I took a quick look through the Canadian Electrical Code and couldn't find anything relating to A/V conductors in the home. I'll ask my instructor for you. My guess is that you're fine.

Check for low voltage, A/V conductors are classified as low voltage.

[BrendonR]

Originally Posted by Belloche

I'm an electrical student. I took a quick look through the Canadian Electrical Code and couldn't find anything relating to A/V conductors in the home. I'll ask my instructor for you. My guess is that you're fine.

Thanks very much Belloche - I'd very much appreciate that. JohK is right, should be under "low voltage".

[Belloche]

Originally Posted by BrendonR

Thanks very much Belloche - I'd very much appreciate that. JohK is right, should be under "low voltage".

I checked it out and there are no CEC issues with your speaker wire or HDMI. The amount of current is harmless. You're fine with what you got.

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by Belloche

I checked it out and there are no CEC issues with your speaker wire or HDMI. The amount of current is harmless. You're fine with what you got.

It's not the current or electrical code, it's the fire code that needs to be checked.... fyi

[Belloche]

Originally Posted by gearyt

It's not the current or electrical code, it's the fire code that needs to be checked.... fyi

I don't know anything about the fire codes. He asked for both so I gave him what I could.

[BrendonR]

Thanks for the help Belloche - appreciate it. I'm pretty sure now the fight will be to find somebody on a solid answer re: fire code.

However, probably just easiest to buy a CL2 rated HDMI in the first place huh?

[Hep]

I recently had an Ontario building inspector complete an inspection of my basement renovations, and he had no issues with the speaker wires behind the walls. He also didn't comment on the other wires, including HDMI, although that may be because it is all running through electrical conduit.

[DiverSpear]

The CEC is real close to the NEC. I'm pretty sure they have to be rated CL2 or equivalent. I have some Canadian electrician friends I'll check with them. Keep in mind instructs and inspectors do not always know all aspects of the code. I recently ran into an inspector here who didn't know any about the LV portion of the code until I opened the code book and showed him.

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by Hep

although that may be because it is all running through electrical conduit.

makes it code....

sorry for all the confusing answers. codes are inter-weaved into a "building code" which ususally references other codes instead of spelling it out

[DiverSpear]

My Canadian electrician friend got back to me with CEC codes and here they are as follows:

Here the classification is as follows: FT1 and FT4 rated cables can be used in combustible construction, FT6 rated cables are for plenum rated ceilings in buildings of non-combustible construction. That "zip cord" type speaker cable is not rated for concealed wiring unless it has a CSA or ULc marking, it must also say FT1 or FT4 on the jacket. Same goes for any kind of low voltage wiring method that will be concealed.

This is straight out of the CEC. Basically the same as the NEC just different terminology. So what it means is the wires do need to CL2 rated or Canadian equivalent.