Should medium-power network-powered broadband communications cables be allowed to stay in the same cable tray with Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control circuits?

Medium-power network-powered broadband communications cables should not be placed in the same cable tray with Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control circuits due to the potential for interference and safety concerns. Class 2 and Class 3 circuits typically deal with low-voltage communication and control tasks that require a degree of isolation from higher-power cables.

When medium-power cables share space with low-voltage circuits, there's a risk that electromagnetic interference could affect the performance of the remote-control circuits. Furthermore, safety codes and standards, such as those outlined by the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), are designed to prevent hazardous situations that could arise from having different classes of circuits together in one conduit or tray. These standards help ensure that power levels, circuit types, and their respective operational characteristics do not compromise safety or signal integrity.

Thus, maintaining a separation between these cable types helps assure reliable operation and complies with relevant regulations.