Minimum separation distance between LV power (230V-400V) and unscreened UTP

From a containment perspective, what is the minimum separation distance between LV power (230V-400V) and unscreened UTP cable in the UK? 

 

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  • Data cabling that is susceptible to interference. 

    Potentially, all copper data cabling is susceptible to interference, more so unscreened (as UTP). Having said that twisted pair (where the pairs are used as a pair, as in RS 422, RS485 and Ethernet) is less susceptible then untwisted, unscreened, data cable, for example as used for older serial links/RS232 etc. RS423 is a bit of a mix of both, being differential receive and common-mode transmit, so needs care to get the maximum lengths of run.

    Provided you meet the safety requirements, follow the guidance in A444.4 for segregation in BS 7671, either the BS EN 50174-2/BS EN 50174-3 approach, or Table A444.2 if the conditions for Table A444.1 are not met.

    You can also consider earthed metallic containment (conduit or trunking).

    If you let us know the specific application of the UTP, and what are the power cables are doing, and their voltages and currents, we may be able to be more specific.