Trunking, Network and power cables?

[LightsOn]

I've been informed that Network cables and power cables cannot occupy the same physical space (one single run of trunking)

The network cable I intend to use is unshielded Cat5E, or possibly shielded Cat6.

Q1. Does that requirement apply to Shielded earthed surfex cable?
Q2. Is it okay to have 2 trunkings side by side, one carrying shielded earthed surfex power, the other carrying network?
Q3. Is it okay for Network cable to be inside trunking, and surfex cable to be outside the trunking, attached directly to the wall (nail clips), where the outside of the surfex cable is touching the trunking? (meaning right next to it)

[GCE]

The 2 regs pasted from SANS 10142-1 below, should answer all of the above questions

6.1.7 If conductors that operate at different voltages run in the same wireway,
the insulation of each conductor shall be able to withstand the highest
conductor voltage in the wireway. Alternatively, the conductors shall be
separated by a continuous barrier of insulating material or earthed metal.


6.3.2.2 Conductors shall be so insulated as to withstand the highest
temperature and voltage to which they are likely to be exposed.

[LightsOn]

Thanks @GCE. I would love to take your answer and run with it, but to be sure, is there perhaps not some other regulation with regard to not mixing power and data in the same wireway/trunk, that causes some other regulation to apply other than SANS 10142-1 6.1.7 and 6.3.2.2 ?
Or perhaps categorization of user-operated wiring (network cables with RJ45 jacks exposing conductors) vs electrical?

Obviously from a technical perspective, there is plenty of redundant layers of insulation between the wiring, each in their own capacity able to provide the necessary insulation. So it's perfectly safe.
I'm just asking from a legal standards perspective.

[Isetech]

Running 2 pieces of trunking side by side shouldn't be a problem, if you use surfix and a shielded cat 5 or 6 cable. You just need to make sure you dont get interference on the network cable.

I was taught that you dont earth both sides of the shield on a network cable, only one side.

In some cases people use PVC sprag as a barrier in the same trunking.

[LightsOn]

Thanks @Isetech.
I'd be very happy if I can just put the Surfix and network cable in the same trunk. That would be first prize

I was taught that you dont earth both sides of the shield on a network cable, only one side.

I've also read that.

However, as a random unrelated side-note.

I once ran an inverter via a 25 meter extension cable to a multi-plug, then powered a PC from it, etc. The problem is when you touched the keyboard you'd get a mild (but too unpleasant to keep touching) shock. I'm not sure if that extension cable had a problem with it's grounding pin. But anyway, I solved the problem by taking 2x 3pin plugs and just wiring only a single green ground wire, and plugging one end into the wall, the other into the multi-plug. And that put an end to the shocking experience.

[LightsOn]

I found this thread where they seem to be relatively certain that DC and AC wire and also inverter AC vs Eskom AC must all be in separate trunking.
https://powerforum.co.za/topic/8085-...le-wiring-coc/

I was reading in DRAFT: SANS 10142-1-2:20XX
And all that I could find related to this was
Section 8.1 - 26. The DC circuits are electrically separated from the AC circuits

But that says "electriaclly separated".
Note that it doesn't say "physically" or "mechanically" separated. Electrically just means that there's no conductance. Having an insulated AC wire touching a network cable on the outside IS electrically separated.

It's so annoying how there are so many different regulations and different people focus on different sets of regulations and also interpret them differently.

It's such a simple question, there should be a simple definitive answer.

[LightsOn]

[I]6.1.7 If conductors that operate at different voltages run in the same wireway,
the insulation of each conductor shall be able to withstand the highest
conductor voltage in the wireway. Alternatively, the conductors shall be
separated by a continuous barrier of insulating material or earthed metal.

What about 6.1.10, though...

6.1.10 Conductors that form part of a d.c. installation shall not be run in the
same wireway as conductors that form part of an a.c. installation.

Are network cables considered to be "part of a DC installation" ?

I'm wondering if "DC installation" only refers to DC power cables (eg: PV or battery power cables) or if it includes to data cables as well.

[LightsOn]

Oh, I see SANS 10142-1 2017 ed2 says:
7.15 D.C. installations
"NOTE such as telecommunication installations and the like."

Well that settles that, then.

So definitively, power and network cables cannot run in the same trunking.

@GCE, let me know if you're unsure about anything else, maybe I can help you.

[Isetech]

GCE shares a lot of useful content on this forum and the content is a clear indication that he has been around the block a few times like many of us.

Oh, I see SANS 10142-1 2017 ed2 says:
7.15 D.C. installations
"NOTE such as telecommunication installations and the like."

Well that settles that, then.

So definitively, power and network cables cannot run in the same trunking.

@GCE, let me know if you're unsure about anything else, maybe I can help you.

[Isetech]

SANS 10142-1 - 2021 (ed 3.01) is the latest addition to the regs.