Do I need a building permit/inspection

Users who are viewing this thread

qnator

New Member
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Howdy folks.

I am converting a closet in one of my spare bedrooms into an Audio/Video/Network distribution closet. My plan is to run low voltage wiring to this closet myself. This includes CAT5e and RG6 cables. The closet will contain my DSL modem, network switch, PVR, File server and future A/V distribution equipment, etc. Do I need a building permit and inspection for low voltage wiring of this type?

To support the A/V and network equipment, I will need to have a new outlet installed in the closet. If I was to run the outlet myself (by branching off an available outlet), would I need a permit and inspection? What about if I hire an electrician to do the work?

I live in Dallas, Texas for those familiar with Dallas code. Thanks!
 

Brownizs

In the Trades
Messages
193
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Springfield, IL
Check with the City of Dallas's website on the code. In most cities, if you have to move one Outlet, or add another, you need an inspector. As for wiring Low Voltage, no you do not, especially for CATV & Ethernet. If a permit was needed to be pulled everytime new RG-6, LAN or Telco wiring was pulled, it would never get done, and you would never be able to purchase the parts.

Keep in mind, most A/V & Network Distribution closets look like nightmares. The thing to remember is, Keep it clean and keep it neat. Also, if you are planning on closing the door to this closet, you may want to look at the thought of how you are going to keep the Computer equipment cool, due to the amount of heat given off, can be worst then a Water Heater in a Closet.

Also, most shelving that is used, is the Wire Shelving for Closets, and create a plan, and label everything.
 

JWelectric

Electrical Contractor/Instructor
Messages
2,608
Reaction score
21
Points
38
Location
North Carolina
I can't help but wonder why chapter eight is in the NEC if all this low voltage is not required to be inspected.

ARTICLE 800 Communications Circuits
ARTICLE 810 Radio and Television Equipment
ARTICLE 820 Community Antenna Television and Radio Distribution Systems
ARTICLE 830 Network-Powered Broadband Communications Systems

I suppose that they could had some extra ink and paper and needed to use it all up.
 

Brownizs

In the Trades
Messages
193
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Springfield, IL
[Edited to keep from getting bit in the arse on this one]

LV such as Network or A/V has never been inspected in our town, and even on the jobs that I have done, where we ran over 1000 Ethernet lines. Majority of the home owners are not going to take the time to investigate the NEC, let alone think about it when running a couple of Telco, CATV, or 8 Ethernet lines. Now, when running lines between homes and from outdoors to indoors, follow the guidelines. They are more pointed at Commercial applications when dealing with communication equipment in section 800, then the average homeowner, who let alone knows about them, probably at most, most that do hack jobs, do not care, and will point the blame elsewhere.

9 times out of 10 A/V & Network wiring jobs would probably fail, if ever inspected for proper install, materials, and termination & grounding.
 
Last edited:

Mikey

Aspiring Old Fart, EE, computer & networking geek
Messages
3,024
Reaction score
17
Points
38
Location
Hansville, Washington
Would I need an inspection/permit when using this type of inlet/outlet?
I'd like to know this as well. There's a good argument for each side, but once it's plugged in, I'd say yes. As was pointed out earlier, ask your local building office for the definitive word. Wicked markup, in any case.
 

Brownizs

In the Trades
Messages
193
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Springfield, IL
A little overkill, when all you need is a standard Clock Outlet. But for the UPC & Surge, you are better getting one that works in a remote location for that outlet, which can raise the total cost.
 

JWelectric

Electrical Contractor/Instructor
Messages
2,608
Reaction score
21
Points
38
Location
North Carolina
[Edited to keep from getting bit in the arse on this one]

LV such as Network or A/V has never been inspected in our town, and even on the jobs that I have done, where we ran over 1000 Ethernet lines. Majority of the home owners are not going to take the time to investigate the NEC, let alone think about it when running a couple of Telco, CATV, or 8 Ethernet lines. Now, when running lines between homes and from outdoors to indoors, follow the guidelines. They are more pointed at Commercial applications when dealing with communication equipment in section 800, then the average homeowner, who let alone knows about them, probably at most, most that do hack jobs, do not care, and will point the blame elsewhere.

9 times out of 10 A/V & Network wiring jobs would probably fail, if ever inspected for proper install, materials, and termination & grounding.


Well I wonder just what is being talked about in these sections?
800.154(B)(3) One- and Two-Family Dwellings. Type CM and CMX cable shall be permitted in one- and two-family dwellings.

820.100(A)(4) Length. The grounding conductor shall be as short as practicable. In one- and two-family dwellings, the grounding conductor shall be as short as practicable, not to exceed 6.0 m (20 ft) in length.

820.154(B)(3) One- and Two-Family Dwellings. Types CATV and CATVX cables shall be permitted in one- and two-family dwellings.

820.154(D)(4) One- and Two-Family Dwellings. Type CATVX cables less than 10 mm (0.375 in.) in diameter shall be permitted to be installed in one- and two-family dwellings.

Each of these articles also say that the installation is to conform with 300.4(D) and 300.11 which mandates the installation of conductors in a dwelling unit.

As to your reference to what a lot of homeownere do it is also true that a lot of these same homeowners speed up and down the highways. Just because a lot of homeowners do something does not make it legal.

The original question
Howdy folks Do I need a building permit and inspection for low voltage wiring of this type? Thanks!

The legal answer to the question is, YES
 

qnator

New Member
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I'd like to know this as well. There's a good argument for each side, but once it's plugged in, I'd say yes. As was pointed out earlier, ask your local building office for the definitive word. Wicked markup, in any case.

I suspect you are right. I'll find out this week and post the answer. Now I have to find a way to explain it :0 Maybe "in-wall extension cord using romex" will do the trick.
 

Brownizs

In the Trades
Messages
193
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Springfield, IL
Networking, CATV & Telco do not need permits pulled. Only if pulling Electrical & doing major changes to the structure. Again, if a permit needed to be pulled everytime someone had to have the Cable Company come in and pull new wire to outlets, a person had to pull a permit to run a Ethernet wire, it would not get done. Also, you could never buy the parts on the open market.

There has never been a job that I have done for pulling 1000+ in Cat-5e that needed a permit. If one was needed, the job would of never been done, the Fire marshall & city inspector would of shut everything down, which never happened.

Also to add, this is what Dallas considers under their code for when you do & do not need a permit http://www.dallascityhall.com/pdf/DevSvcs/ElectricalPermitHowTo.pdf
"WHEN IS A PERMIT FOR ELECTRICAL
WORK NOT REQUIRED?​
-The restoration on a temporary basis of
electrical service under emergency conditions
when approval of the work is obtained from
the Building Official prior to the commencing
of the work, inspection of the work is made
in accordance with Chapter 52 of the Dallas
City Code, and a permit is obtained as soon
as practicable.
-maintenance, repair, relocation or
replacement of any existing light fixture,
receptacle, switch, ceiling fan, circuit breaker
or other electrical device or equipment
where no change in electrical service or
service disconnect is involved, if the value of
the work does not exceed $1,000.
-Installation of not more than six new 120 volt
or one new 240 volt electrical outlets or
devices for any lighting fixture, receptacle,
switch, ceiling fan, or residential appliance
within an existing occupied single-tenant
space or structure, by extension of an existing
circuit or by installation of not more than one
new circuit, provided that no change in
electrical service or service disconnection is​
involved."
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=pe...wiring&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
 
Last edited:

qnator

New Member
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Great find brownizs. After reading over the PDF from DallasCityHall.com, I don't think I need a permit for any of the work I am going to do.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks