DIVISION 16 - ELECTRICAL
Section 16120 – Wire and cable
Wires and Cables 16120 - 1
Version 1–May 3,2011
1. GENERAL
1.01 Base Bid:
1. Contractor provides:
a. Wiring as shown on drawings or specified including branch circuit power, data,
telephone, fiber optic and other items specified, to provide for a complete and
operational system or systems.
1.02 DESCRIPTION OF WORK
A. The extent of Electrical Work is as shown on the Contract Drawings and/or as specified herein.
B. The type of Electrical Work required for this Section includes wire, cable and appurtenances.
C. For the purpose of these Contract Documents, the terms “wire,” “cable” and “conductor” may be usedinterchangeably, and are intended to include materials used to convey electrical, signal, alarm,telecommunication and control current for the various systems.
2. PRODUCTS
2.01 WIRE AND CABLE
A. Wire and cable shall be soft copper, properly refined and shall have minimum conductivity of
98 percent. Aluminum conductors are not acceptable.
1. Conductors for power and lighting shall have 600-volt type insulation, shall be not less thanNo. 12 AWG, shall conform to the latest International Electrical Code and shall bear UnderwritersLaboratories Inc. label.
2. Wire for signal and control systems shall be No. 14 AWG stranded unless otherwise indicated inthe Contract Documents.
3. Factory wired equipment of manufacturers' standard product line shall be wired with themanufacturers' standard wire size and type provided that the wiring meets allapplicable Coderequirements. This does not apply to custom-built equipment as specified elsewhere in theseSpecifications.
B. Wire and cable shall be delivered to the job site in original packing or on factory reels. All wire andcable shall bear tagging or marking on the finish at regular intervals and consisting of manufacturers'name or code number, as well as the insulation type, voltage rating and UL listing.
C. Wire and cable shall have factory color-coded insulation and shall be installed and connected asfollows, except if the school has a color code, it shall be used:
1. Color coding for voltage system of 250 volts and less shall be
a. "A" Phase - Black
b. "B" Phase - Red
c. "C" Phase - Blue
d. Neutral - White
e. Ground - Green
f. Isolated Ground - Green/Yellow tracer
2. Color coding for voltage system of over 250 volts and less than 600 volts shall be
a. "A" Phase - Brown
b. "B" Phase - Orange
c. "C" Phase - Yellow
d. Neutral - Gray
e. Ground - Green
f. Isolated Ground - Green/Yellow tracer
3. Green shall be used for grounding only.
4. For wire and cable sizes No. 6 and larger where colors other than black are not available, providecolor-coded vinyl tape wrapped around the cable at each junction box, splice box, termination andsplice for a minimum overlapping length of 4 inches at each end. Color of tape shall comply withcolor-coding specified above.
5. Three-way and four-way switch “travelers” shall be of a different color from colors stated aboveand they shall be of the same color. Yellow shall not be used for anything except interlock wiring.
6. Neutral conductors for non-linear loads shall be 200% rated capacity of the phase conductors.
D. The insulation shall be applied tightly to the conductor and shall be free stripping.
E. Branch circuit wiring for 120 volt 20 amp circuits wired to 208Y/120V systems shall be adjusted fordistance voltage drop and load harmonic contents as follows:
1. General receptacles, incandescent, lighting, and resistive loads:
A. up to 100 feet in length: 3#12, 1#12N, 1#12G, 3/4"C
B. over 100 feet in length: 3#10, 1#10N, 1#10G, 3/4"C
2. Computer IG receptacles:
A. up to 100 feet in length: 3#12, 1#10N, 1#12G, 1#12IG, 3/4"C
B. over 100 feet in length: 3#10, 1#8N, 1#10G, 1#10IG, 3/4"C
3. Fluorescent, HID lighting, and inductive loads:
A. up to 100 feet in length: 3#12, 1#12N, 1#12G, 3/4"C
B. over 100 feet in length: 3#10, 1#10N, 1#10G, 3/4"C
F. Wire No. 10 AWG and larger shall be stranded copper.
G. Type SF-2 silicone insulated glass braid jacket, 200 degrees C, 600-volt rated, shall be used forfluorescent fixture wiring and/or recessed incandescent fixture wiring, and shall be No. 12 AWGminimum.
H. Teflon insulated 200 degrees C rated shall be used within 1 foot of heating pipes.
I. Wire and cables 600-volt rated for installation in floor slabs, etc. and outdoors use in exposed conduitshall be XHHW, THHW or THHN. All underground ductbank installation wire shall be
RHH/RHW/USE, either XLP-USE or EPR, with a Hypalon jacket.
J. Wire types for the telephone, communications, computer data, and fire alarm systems shall be inaccordance with recommendations of the equipment manufacturer. Acceptable manufacturers of thistype of wire are American Insulated Wire, Belden, Dekoron, Okonite, Pirelli, West Penn or approvedequivalent.
K. The 600-volt insulated wires and cables shall be factory tested prior to shipment in accordance withthe latest ICEA standards for the insulation specified.
L. Samples and reports on the results of shop tests for all wire and cables, descriptive literature forsplices and terminations shall be submitted and shall be treated as a Shop Drawing submittal.
M. If any of the cable types are modified by the Contract Drawings, the Contract Drawings shall befollowed.
N. Acceptable cable manufacturers for 600-volt rated cable are American Insulated Wire Corp., Rome,Southwire, General Cable, Triangle or approved equivalent.
2.02 CONNECTORS
A. For connections to bus bars, use copper compression connectors. Connectors shall be crimp type.All connectors shall be copper. Copper compression connectors shall be long barrel, tin plated,closed end compression type. The barrel for each cable lug shall be sized for the exact cable sizespecified. Copper-Aluminum connectors are not acceptable.
B. Mechanical or setscrew types are not acceptable. The cables shall be terminated with the die typecompression tools. The compression connection shall be UL rated. Use only those tools, which willprovide a UL rated connection for the manufacturers product used.
C. Conductors No. 2 AWG and larger shall terminate in two-hole solderless lugs.
D. Conductors No. 10 AWG through No. 4 AWG, inclusive, shall terminate in one (1)-hole lugs.
E. Multiple-hole lugs shall have NEMA spacing
F. Acceptable connector manufacturers are Burndy Type YA, Anderson Type VHCL, Thomas & BettsCo., Series 54800 and 54900, Panduit Series LCB or approved equivalent.
2.03 TAPE
A. Tape shall be UL approved, black or colors as required, self-fusing jacketing tape, resistant to
weather, oils, water and chemicals. Tape shall meet or exceed Scotch 33+.
B. Acceptable manufacturers are Amazon, Plymouth or 3-M or approved equivalent.
2.04 WIRE-PULLING LUBRICANT
A. Where necessary to use a lubricant for pulling wires, the compound shall be listed by UnderwritersLaboratories Inc. Cable pulling lubricant shall be biodegradable, non-flammable, non-toxic compoundwith a solid residue of not more than 1.5 percent and a viscosity of at least 50,000 C.P.
B. Cleaning agents or lubricants that have a deteriorating effect on conductors covering shall not beused. Cable lubricant shall contain no waxes, greases, silicones or polyalkylene glycol oils.
C. Lubricant shall be rated to match temperature conditions at the time of installation.
D. Acceptable manufacturers are Polywater J, High Performance Cable Lubricant, Ideal, Aqua-Jel 2 orapproved equivalent.
3. EXECUTION
3.01 INSPECTION
A. Examine the areas and conditions under which the Work is to be installed and notify the
Architect/Engineer and Construction Manager of conditions detrimental to the proper and timely
completion of the Work. Do not proceed with the Work until unsatisfactory conditions have been
corrected.
3.02 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A. Install material in locations indicated on the Contract Drawings and/or as called for in these
Specifications. Installation shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and withrecognized, acceptable industry standards.
B. Comply with applicable agencies listed in Section 16010 of these Specifications.
C. Coordinate the installation of Electrical work with all other trades as required properly interfacing andavoiding conflicts.
3.03 INSTALLATION OF 600 VOLT WIRE AND CABLE
A. Install electrical cable, wire and connectors as indicated, as specified elsewhere, and in accordancewith the manufacturer's written instructions, applicable Code requirements, the National ElectricalContractors Association's "Standard of Installation," and with recognized industry practices to ensurethat products serve the intended functions.
B. Coordinate cable and wire installation Work with electrical raceway and equipment installation Work.
C. Pull conductors together where more than one is being installed in a raceway.
D. Use pulling compound or lubricant, when necessary; compound must not deteriorate conduit orconductor insulation.
E. Do not use a pulling means, including fish tape, cable or rope, which can damage the raceway.
3.04 CABLE AND WIRE TAPS/SPLICES - 600 VOLT
A. Provide parallel clamp connectors with insulating cover.
B. Connectors shall be constructed of an all copper alloy with bolted tangential plates which will receivethe clamping pressure and redistribute the pressure uniformly over the entire surface of the clampingmechanism.
C. Insulating cover shall be of the same manufacturer as the connectors and shall have cable openingssuitable for the cable insulation being installed. Where insulating covers do not completely seal taps,it shall be the responsibility of this Contractor to completely tape the installation. The insulating covershall not kink or crimp the cable insulation when cover is completely closed.
D. Connectors and insulating covers shall be as manufactured by Dossert Type "GTC," O-Z/GedneyType "XTP”, Thomas and Betts Type "CT" series or approved equivalent.
E. All splices and terminations shall be carefully taped and covered, using material recommended by thecable manufacturer, to provide insulation equal to that of the conductors.
F. Splices and taps shall be made only in proper splice boxes. They shall not be made in any fitting orpanel, and shall not be pulled into any conduit.
G. Do not splice any wire, which is not being tapped in the box. Splicing for the sake or convenience ofsplicing will not be acceptable. Wires shall be continuous from termination to termination whereverpossible.
H. Splices:
1. Splices shall be performed only by experienced and qualified cable splicers, regularly engaged inthis type of work.
2. All cable runs shall be given an insulation resistance test and continuity check at the completionof each splice throughout the length of the cable run.
3. Where a cable is cut preparatory to splicing, the work shall proceed without delay. When anunavoidable delay is encountered in completing a splice, the opened cable shall be protected toprevent the entrance of moisture and foreign matter with a heat shrink cap.
4. No splicing will be permitted except in junction boxes. The tools used shall provide a UL certifiedconnection. Indenter type compression fittings will not be acceptable. Lugs shall be one- or twoholecolor keyed. Lug bolting shall include a flat washer, a Bellville washer and a locknut.
5. Outdoor splices shall be made using heat shrink products which, when properly installed, willproduce a completely sealed covering over the connectors or lugs. The tube or jacket shall becompletely coated with mastic to insure a 100 percent seal to the conductor jacket. The splice,when completed, shall be watertight. An acceptable manufacturer of this type product isRaychem Inc or approved equivalent.
6. All splices and pigtail connections in lighting and receptacles wiring No. 8 AWG and smaller shallbe made up with the pre-insulated spring connectors. Splices and terminations in wire/cablelarger than No. 8 AWG shall be made with compression type connectors and lugs. Acceptableproducts are Buchannan, Ideal Wingnut, Scotch Lock 2, or approved equivalent.
3.05 TRAINING OF WIRE AND CABLE
A. Training of wire and cable on the ground or concrete slabs will NOT be permitted. Wire andcable shall be installed directly from factory reels or packaging. This applies to ALL wire andcable regardless of intended use, wire size, insulation type or voltage rating.
3.06 VOLTAGE DROP
A. Any changes to the wiring design and circuiting indicated on the Contract Drawings which are madeby the Contractor shall take into account consideration for voltage drop to comply with Coderequirements. Feeders for lighting and receptacle loads shall be limited to one percent (1%) voltagedrop or less.
B. Contractor shall prepare voltage drop calculations and submit them to the Architect/Engineer forreview prior to making any wiring changes. Contractor shall be totally responsible for properly sizingwires, which are changed from those indicated on the Contract Drawings.
C. Any feeders, which are installed and found to have a voltage drop in excess of one percent (1%) shallbe removed and replaced by the Contractor at no cost to the Owner.
3.07 SPARE CONDUCTORS
A. Spare conductors shall have the ends taped and they shall be neatly coiled, tied, taped and left in thebottom of the enclosure. They shall be marked as "spare" conductors and identify location of theother end.
3.08 WIRE TERMINATIONS
A. No more than one (1) wire will be permitted to be connected to any one terminal or lug of any device,panelboard or other apparatus unless the terminal or lug is specifically designed for and UL approvedfor terminating more than one (1) wire. “Double-lugging” will NOT be permitted.
B. Trimming of wires at terminations will not be permitted under any circumstances. If special conditionsrequire wire sizes larger than standard size terminations, the Contractor shall advise the materialsupplier of the requirements at the time of ordering the material, and shall provide terminations of the
required sizes as part of the Contract. No additional compensation will be allowed.
3.09 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL
A. Prior to energization, check cable and wire for continuity of circuitry, and for short circuits. Correctmalfunction when detected.
B. Subsequent to wire and cable hook-ups, energize circuitry and demonstrate functioning in accordancewith requirements.
END Section 16120