Cabling
Low-Voltage Wiring
Structured cabling infrastructure for data, voice, security, and AV systems — anything running at 50 volts or less, distinct from line-voltage electrical work.
Low-voltage systems include Ethernet, fiber, telephone, coax, access control, security cameras, intercoms, speakers, and AV distribution. The work lives at the boundary between IT and electrical — requires no electrician's license in most US jurisdictions (though requirements vary by state and municipality), but should still follow code requirements and best practices.
The relevant standards are the BICSI standards and TIA-568/570 for structured cabling, which define installation practices, cable routing, bend radius requirements, and connector performance.
Low-voltage cabling requires its own conduit or pathways — it should not share conduit with line voltage (120/240V) wiring, both for performance reasons (line voltage induces noise on data cables) and code reasons. The minimum separation between low-voltage and line-voltage runs without a grounded metal barrier is typically defined by NEC Article 800.
In commercial environments, low-voltage work is typically scoped separately from electrical contracts. Knowing the distinction matters when coordinating with contractors — a general electrician is not typically a structured cabling installer.