Installation manual

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PRE-WIRE

Installation,

Labeling and

Documentation

Pre-Wire

Installation

8.9.1 Standard General Practices for Installers

• Always use a Structured Media Center as your main

distribution point

• Do not install SMC in a fire-rated wall. Choose interi-

or wall spaces

• Install your structured cabling following the star

wiring or home run pattern

• Use Category 5 or 5e cable as your baseline choice

for voice and data and RG-6 quad shield coax cable

for TV and video

• Install 16/2 or 14/2 Speaker cable with a CL2 or CL3

rating

• Use tools made specifically for low-voltage struc-

tured cable installation

• Use mud rings at all termination locations rather than

standard electrical boxes when permitted by code.

• Observe the maximum distance rule that limits a

Category 5 or 5e run from the SMC to a wallplate to

90 meters or approximately 295 conductor feet

• Inspect your runs as you install them

8.9.2 Wire and Cable Installation

• Low-voltage wiring is not as damage resistant as

romex so be sure to handle it carefully

• Drill independent 1-inch holes 1 1/4" from edge of

framing members to run your cable

• Use nail plates to protect the cable

• Never run low voltage cable in the same drill holes as

AC wiring

• Avoid damage to twisted pairs by using less than 25

pounds of pull force, by only going around one bend

at a time, and by using a Leviton Cable Joe™ when

routing multiple cables around corners.

• Make sure the bend radius when pulling is 20x the

cable diameter or 6-7 inches for RG-6 quad shield

and optical fiber cable

• Always use proper cable support, such as J-hooks

and Velcro“ straps, never with standard staples

• Secure large bundles of cable loosely with Velcro™

straps such as Leviton SoftCinch‚ secure smaller

bundles with tie-wraps

• Aim for sweeping bends in your installations rather

than sharp turns that can damage the cable; the min-

imum bend radius for Category 5 or 5e cable is about

1 inch, for RG-6 quad shield cable about 3 inches.

• Run your low-voltage cable away from AC cable by

using a separate stud space whenever possible; oth-

erwise, maintain at least an 8 inch distance (more is

better) when running parallel to AC and if you must

cross it, do so at a 90 degree angle

• When running your cable in conduit, leave a pull cord

to facilitate new wiring (do not exceed a 40% fill rate)

• Install your cables inside inner wall spaces to avoid

outer wall insulation and firebreaks

• Keep your cable away from sources of heat such as

hot water pipes and heat ducts

• Avoid running external wires; if you must, install them

in conduit