IT radio type question ...

[AJMD429]

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We want to install an outbuilding camera as part of a security system but want it to be wired instead of Wi-Fi. Where it will be located has electrical power but the alarm unit would be 75 or 80 ft away. In the old days that would have been coax cable and I would just run it through conduit to protect it maybe a foot underground. Nowadays, what kind of cable is likely to be used when the alarm people install, and would it be a problem if it was in larger conduit that it shared with a 120 or 240 volt AC line. I'd rather just run one large conduit than two smaller ones.

[jeepnik]

Run them separately. Otherwise, you will get corruption of the low voltage signal. Besides that, electrical codes usually call for the separation of high and low voltage.

Years ago a customer installed a fourth water softener in his system. To save money he ran the 120 v and the communication wiring (low voltage in the same conduit. He repeatedly had the fourth softener fail to properly respond to the control unit. When he called me to complain that the softener was junk I came out and looked at his installation. It took about two minutes to see that the high and low voltage wiring shared the same conduit. Now mind you the installer was a degreed electrical engineer from another country.

I proved it to him by running a separate low voltage wire outside of any conduits. The system worked properly. He never did admit that that was cause, but after he installed a separate conduit for his low voltage wiring the system continued to work properly.

One of the biggest problems I faced in working with facility engineers was that I am a degreed chemist, not a chemical engineer, much less a mechanical engineer. However, along the way I did pick up a "little" engineering knowledge.

[AJMD429]

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That's kinda what I thought.
Plus if something did mangle or enter the conduit, mixing 240v into a data line might kinda fry something - or someone...

I guess I can run two conduits in the same general trench - maybe run the 240v 2-3 ft deep and the other one 12-18".

[stretch]

Yes, Jeepnik - arguing with an engineer can be an uphill battle a times!

The School of Hard Knocks frequently - though not always - provides more practical knowledge than
"book learning."

-Stretch

[GunnyMack]

Doc you can run them in 2 separate conduits at the same depth, if you feel like ya need to separate them keep one to each side of the trench.
And if you feel like ya wanna be smart add a 3rd for future use, just cap the ends.

[AmBraCol]

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We want to install an outbuilding camera as part of a security system but want it to be wired instead of Wi-Fi. Where it will be located has electrical power but the alarm unit would be 75 or 80 ft away. In the old days that would have been coax cable and I would just run it through conduit to protect it maybe a foot underground. Nowadays, what kind of cable is likely to be used when the alarm people install, and would it be a problem if it was in larger conduit that it shared with a 120 or 240 volt AC line. I'd rather just run one large conduit than two smaller ones.

A lot of it is going to depend on what kind of camera they set up. You might want to consider using a Cat5 or whatever the current spec is for wired internet and have a router out there as well, maybe even a WiFi to give you better connection in that part of your property. There's a lot of options to consider, but running the cable in the same conduit as the high voltage line is not a good idea, even if it's shielded line. And you want to make SURE it's waterproof conduit. Whoever ran the electrical line from the gun club to the trap house did NOT ensure waterproof. We had to run another conduit line later on as the original flooded.

[wecsoger]

Looks likes we've already drove a stake into the issue of high and low voltage together. (grin)

Several hard learned rules:

Pretty much the same effort running two conduits as one.

If it doubt, run an extra one. Always.

Always run a larger diameter than what you think you need.

Pull string, always.

Sweeping (curved) 90's on the transitions! Can't stress that enough.

Terminate them outside your building in a large waterproof box. Not some little dinky 6" bx 6". Don't just run up a foot off the ground and leave there.

Caulk excessively your transitions into the buildings. Bugs and field mice will appreciate its absence.

If you're running more than one similar cable, LABEL THEM BOTH ENDS.

Bury deep. Some areas have code. Two foot at least. You can buy marker tape, or at least some of that caution yellow tape. Put in 6"-12" fill, put down tape, finish filling.

Not that I've run a lot of conduit...