Installation manual

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© Copyright 2001 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
8-1
PRE-WIRE
8
PRE-WIRE
Installation,
Labeling and
Documentation
Pre-Wire
Installation
8 Installation, Labeling, and
Documentation Pre-Wire
Installation
The integrity of any electrical wiring system is highly
dependent on the quality of its installation. Even the
very best components will perform poorly if they are
installed incorrectly or carelessly. Every step of the
installation, from running the cable to installing the
wallplates, should be done according to code and
industry standards. This section will address these
installation procedures. It is in the installer’s best inter-
est to follow these procedures to avoid callbacks and
repairs to the system!
Category 5 or 5e, unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable
is the mainstay of low-voltage wiring. Even though its
four pairs of wire are color-coded, there can still be
some confusion when installing them at terminal
devices or when future changes are done to the sys-
tem. Add to this multiple terminal devices, coax cable,
and any other existing UTP cable and the importance
of labeling each cable becomes self-evident. Labeling
and documentation will assist in troubleshooting and
making future changes to the system. Section 8 will dis-
cuss appropriate labeling and documentation for low-
voltage systems.
8.1 The Walk-through
A pre-installation walk-through during the framing
stage will do the following:
• It better familiarizes the installer with the job
• It allows a comparison between the plans and any
changes to the building construction
• It allows the installer, general contractor, designer,
and customer to alter the proposed installation or
head off any foreseeable problems or conflicts
• It gives the installer an opportunity to formulate a
work plan
If the installer is a separate contractor from the electri-
cian, the two contractors will have to coordinate their
respective installations to avoid problems with locating
devices and sharing stud and joist spaces. In fact, the
installations of AC and low-voltage wiring are often
done at the same time. If they are done separately, the
low-voltage follows the AC.
A walk through also allows the installer to mark off loca-
tions for mud rings and the SMC. At this point, the
rough-in wiring can begin.
What You’ll Need for Your Walk Through:
• Your original Leviton Connection Planner
• Notebook or pocket recorder to note any changes
and additions
• Builder’s plan
8.1.1 The Reality of the Job and the Installation
The definition of the ideal job depends on the trade. For
an electrician or an installer of structured cable, it
would mean unfettered access for routing cables and
no damage to their work by other contractors trades. A
realistic installation will go like this:
• The low-voltage cable is carefully installed, observing
all routing and handling rules and standards, and
then visually inspected
• Any damaged or questionable cable is replaced,
never spliced and repaired
• Steel nailing plates are installed anywhere the cable
can be damaged by a screw or nail through a fram-
ing member
• Both ends of each cable run are left with sufficient
excess cable and service loops that are then
wrapped and protected in plastic bags or similar
material until other trades have finished their work
• At that point, the cables are connectorized and test-
ed and the system is checked for damage; if damage
is detected, the installer then negotiates the repairs
with whomever caused the damage
• The best way to avoid damage and costly repairs is
to protect all your cables and regularly discuss and
drive home to other trades the importance of protect-
ing these cables as well (you also want them to report
any damage to you when it happens so you can
repair it while the walls are still open)
Installer’s Tip: No job will go flawlessly, but good com-
munication skills coupled with your own vigilance will
keep problems to a minimum.