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Data cables in electrical control panels

vantech

Hi, 

Almost all industrial control panels and others like lighting / automaton, have devices inside of them which have Ethernet ports, connected generally to network switches within the panels. 

BS7671 is quite strict when it comes to routing data and power cabling; in control panels, data cabling (so Ethernet over Cat5 or Cat6 or indeed RS232 etc) is generally in the same trunking as AC (single and three phase). The cables land into the panel separated from AC, but are then right on top of AC inside of the panel itself.

Obviously panel design standards are different. Does anyone know the exclusions / best practice for this?

There are also other subjects like Hybrid cables, for EV chargers, that I think come into question. 

Are there any special distances/creepages that need to be maintained in control panels between power and data? 

Thanks. 

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  • 0

    If it's data cabling (of any kind), BS 6701 (as referred to by BS 7671 for telecomms cables) requires at least 50 mm physical separation from LV power cables, even if the cables have metallic armour or screen, and even if the cables are in metallic containment.

    That would appear to preclude the use of cables like EV Ultra where the internal "cat 5" is used as a data cable (e.g. Ethernet, EIA/RS 485 etc.)

    EV Ultra cable also has the issue that SY, CY and YY has - no constructional standard, so evidence of "at least as safe" and suitable declarations to be made, see Section 511 of BS 7671.

  • 0 in reply to gkenyon

    Hi, 

    Are you saying that EV Ultra cable is therefore not allowed? The product itself is CE certified and it’s being installed everywhere. 

    With regards to control panels, 50mm makes sense but this rarely happens. I’ve seen big corporates build panels with VSDs that are all linked with data cable that shares the same containment as mains (cables touching). There are also tones of products on the market which have LAN/other ports mounted directly next to a mains connection, so a 50mm spacing is impossible. 

    I suppose it comes down to common sense at the end of the day and ensuring the solution works. 

Reply
  • 0 in reply to gkenyon

    Hi, 

    Are you saying that EV Ultra cable is therefore not allowed? The product itself is CE certified and it’s being installed everywhere. 

    With regards to control panels, 50mm makes sense but this rarely happens. I’ve seen big corporates build panels with VSDs that are all linked with data cable that shares the same containment as mains (cables touching). There are also tones of products on the market which have LAN/other ports mounted directly next to a mains connection, so a 50mm spacing is impossible. 

    I suppose it comes down to common sense at the end of the day and ensuring the solution works. 

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