Installation manual

4-2
For more information call your Leviton representative or the Leviton Technical Hotline at 800-722-2082
© Copyright 2001 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
4
ORDINANCES
Local
Ordinances,
Covenants, and
Service Provider
Coordination
IMPORTANT SAFETY AND INSTALLATION INFORMATION
FOR ALL TELECOMMUNICATIONS APPLICATIONS
There are special safety considerations with telephone wiring that may be unknown by workers new to this field. The following
hints and guidelines should be followed closely to help avoid safety hazards, and ensure trouble-free installations and high-
quality telephone service.
This publication cannot, however, cover every aspect of safe installation and connection of telephone wiring. The contractor
must follow local code requirements, including Article 800 of the National Electrical Code, and all rules or suggestions of the
local telephone company and/or governmental and other regulatory agencies.
Heart Pacemakers
Never attempt repair, installation, or modifica-
tion of telephone equipment or wiring systems if
you wear a pacemaker. Pacemakers can be disrupted by
telephone-circuit voltages and ringing-cycle frequencies.
Lightning and High-Voltage Danger
Most electrical injuries involving telephone
wiring result from sudden, unexpected high volt-
ages on normally low-voltage wiring. Installers may relax
their normal care when handling telephone wire because it is
a low-voltage system. However, telephone wiring can carry
hazardous high voltages under certain unsafe conditions.
Never install or connect telephone wiring during electrical
storms. Improperly protected telephone wiring can carry a
fatal lightning surge for many miles.
Lightning exposure can also be a danger to telephone
users. Therefore, jacks should never be installed in a posi-
tion that would allow telephone use by a person while in a
bathtub, hot tub, or swimming pool.
All outside wiring must be equipped with properly grounded
and listed signal circuit protectors.These protectors must be
installed in compliance with the requirements of the local
telephone company and applicable codes. Do not remove or
modify protectors or the grounding wire placed by the tele-
phone company. Connections to telephone company inde-
pendent grounding systems can be made only with the
approval of the local telephone company.
Do not run open wiring between structures where it may be
exposed to lightning without proper protection. Avoid wiring
in or near damp locations.
Wire Separations
Telephone wiring systems must be installed to
minimize the possibility of accidental contact with
hazardous power and lighting wiring. Never place telephone
wiring near bare power wires or lightning rods, antennas,
transformers, steam or hot water pipes, or heating ducts.
Never place telephone wire in any conduit, box, channel,
duct, or other enclosure containing power or lighting circuits
of any type. Always provide adequate separation of tele-
phone wiring and other electrical wiring according to code.
When in doubt about separation distances, the “Rule of
Sixes” can be used. This rule requires six feet of separation
between telephone wiring and open high-voltage wiring,
lightning grounding wire or grounding rods. It requires six
inches of separation from all other high-voltage wiring
unless in conduit.
Avoiding Shocks
Fifty (50) to sixty (60) volts DC is normally pres-
ent on an idle tip-and-ring pair. Ninety (90) volt
AC ringing current can deliver a very uncomfortable shock
under certain circumstances. Consequently, always use
insulated tools and avoid all contact with bare terminals and
grounded surfaces.
To avoid being shocked, always disconnect the dialtone
service from the premise wiring while working. If you cannot
disconnect, take the telephone handset (receiver) off hook.
The DC level will drop and normally no AC ringing current
will be delivered. (Be sure to replace the handset when work
is completed.)
Metallic Surfaces
Special caution is required when running telephone wire on
or near metallic siding. Always check for stray voltages pres-
ent on any metallic surfaces.
Cutting and Drilling
Always observe trade safety rules for concealed wiring. Be
extremely careful not to cut through or drill into concealed
wiring or pipes. Make a small inspection opening before cut-
ting or drilling.
Splicing
Common wire-splicing techniques may cause the
wire to break and result in poor circuit integrity.
This can cause interference in the form of static and noise
on the line.
Clean Contacts
Dust or dirt can cause special problems on telephone wiring
contacts. Be sure all contacts are clean and that all parts are
installed correctly to protect them from dust and dirt.
!
HIGH VOLTAGE SAFETY TEST: EXPERIENCED
ELECTRICIANS, AT FIRST CONTACT, ALWAYS
ASSUME THAT HAZARDOUS VOLTAGES MAY
EXIST IN ANY WIRING SYSTEM.
A SAFETY CHECK, USING A KNOWN, RELIABLE
VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT OR DETECTION DE-
VICE, SHOULD BE MADE IMMEDIATELY
BEFORE WORK IS STARTED AND WHENEVER
WORK IS RESUMED ON ANY JOB.
!