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Speaker wire support in drop ceiling

Question asked by niksa on Jul 31, 2019
Latest reply on Aug 1, 2019 by niksa

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Hello, first time user, so please forgive my ignorance..

I have about 400pcs of 3" Soundmasking speakers to be installed in drop ceilings, commercial space. I am aware of code requirements for supporting multiple low Voltage wires independently, like shooting our own ceiling grid wire that is not part of ceiling support.

Is that also a requirement for a single wire? Would mounting 1-1/4" J-hook with multifunction clip on ceiling grid wire for purpose of supporting single CAT 5 wire be a code violation?

chiefns830 Aug 1, 2019 4:50 PM

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You can't assume that you can do it that way. Be careful of DADDY. See the last part of my comment:

"300.11 also has an exception - but you would have to speak with your AHJ and they would have to determine whether or not the installation would comply with the ceiling system manufacturer's instructions, if you intend to support the wiring via the ceiling grid system."

You may have to do some homework and try to find out the ceiling grid manufacturer, etc., try to get a letter from the manufacturer, if you are trying to do it that way. Talk to your AHJ.!!!

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chiefns830 Jul 31, 2019 7:26 PM
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You're not being ignorant. I've seen many who don't yet have a grasp of this topic. IN GENERAL, most of the time that kind of wiring must be secured to the BUILDING SURFACE. But you haven't given enough information as to what you have there. I don't know whether you have Class 2 or Class 3 wiring. Perhaps it can even be Class 1 - if it is some type of specialized audio/public address system (400 speakers)???

Informational note: The key wording in 300.11 is "SECURE SUPPORT." Get to know these words, and let them be your friend. I would say that even if you add additional ceiling support wires, or used specialized clips -- IF -- the additional wires and / or special clips do not provide SECURE SUPPORT (if they wobble, or are tied to only one end, etc.) then it would not constitute SECURE SUPPORT and could be construed as a code violation. Be careful when using the clips that rhyme with "DADDY." They may sell you a clip - and you still may not have SECURE SUPPORT after using the product. I've had interaction with the Code Panels on this topic. If the clip does not provide SECURE SUPPORT, or if the clip is being used differently from what was intended, you may wind up with a code violation.

"Would mounting 1-1/4" J-hook with multifunction clip on ceiling grid wire for purpose of supporting single CAT 5 wire be a code violation?"

You now mention Cat 5, which throws me into another direction entirely. Cat 5 is covered under Article 800, and you can read all about the installation requirements in Article 800.24. IN GENERAL, it states that the wiring must be secured to the BUILDING SURFACE, but one could also comply with 300.11 (see informational note, above). 300.11 also has an exception - but you would have to speak with your AHJ and they would have to determine whether or not the installation would comply with the ceiling system manufacturer's instructions, if you intend to support the wiring via the ceiling grid system.
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brianbaughman Aug 1, 2019 3:46 PM
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Your question is way to vague to fully answer. NEC Article 725.130 lays out the permitted wiring methods for Class 2 and 3 circuits. Securing the cables to a drop ceiling tie wire would not pass in my book. I would recommend that you install a cable tray system to secure and support your cables. In addition, many drop ceilings in commercial spaces are also used for the environmental air or plenem for the buildings HVAC system. Plenum spaces have their own code requirements, especially as it applies to the types of listed cables that can be installed in the plenum space.
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niksa Aug 1, 2019 4:33 PM
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Gentlemen, thank you for taking time to reply to this question. I should have provided more details, I apologize. I think that Nick has answered my intended question in his second part...My concern was more with technicality of supporting single CAT5 wire in drop ceiling environments
System consists of 3" speakers that come with installation brackets, single CAT5 cable (Plenum in this case) will daisy chain between 50 of these per run. We have Basket tray along Core of the building to carry majority of our wiring, but nothing for single cable branches off of it.
At any previous project, where there would be no tray provided, we would install our own support off of building structure, but that would be anywhere where we would have more than 3 or 4 CAT wires in the bundle.
For that small of the bundle we usually use Caddy CAT126Z34 with our own ceiling grid wire that gets secured to ceiling grid by clips.

In this instance, we have multiple runs of a single Plenum CAT5 wire, daisy chaining from emitter to emitter. I was trying to find something in Electrical code that would forbid me from using same setup but, be allowed to secure it to existing ceiling grid support wire, versus having to shoot our own support wire ...
I have seen it done before with security wire or Fire alarm wire, where single wire would be supported by 3/4" j-hook off of existing ceiling support. Am I not allowed to treat single CAT5 wire in same manner?
I apologize for written no
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chiefns830 Aug 1, 2019 4:50 PM
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You can't assume that you can do it that way. Be careful of DADDY. See the last part of my comment:
"300.11 also has an exception - but you would have to speak with your AHJ and they would have to determine whether or not the installation would comply with the ceiling system manufacturer's instructions, if you intend to support the wiring via the ceiling grid system."
You may have to do some homework and try to find out the ceiling grid manufacturer, etc., try to get a letter from the manufacturer, if you are trying to do it that way. Talk to your AHJ.!!!
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chiefns830 Aug 1, 2019 4:57 PM
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Also, DADDY doesn't "seem" to approve that clip for use on ceiling grid wires. From what I can pull up, it is for use on threaded rod only, two sizes I believe. Sorry (but you asked) ...and I warned you about DADDY! His marketing is very clever, and may show you a picture of something that you want to see. But when one reads all the literature, it states something entirely different. The salesmen also are very good at what they do. Buyer beware!

I think you need to do some more homework...that is my advice.
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- niksa @ chiefns830 on Aug 1, 2019 5:25 PM
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  Part number wasn't exact, my intention was to try and put picture to the type of support... Checking with AHJ is ,actually in this case, not my big issue,I believe...I have passed it by the Electrical inspector and Fire marshal, they have nothing against it, considering application. My issue is caused by ceiling installer, even tho I am unable to find anything against what I am trying to do from Ceiling manufacturer, who was very helpful in this regard... my next step will be with Owner and Architect, I believe that 2 main entities, Electrical Inspector and Fire Marshal plus Manufacturer supplied data should help me against this contractor's bias.
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Speaker wire support in drop ceiling

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