Greener Wiring: A Checklist for Action

General Guidelines
Design for easy access. Install wiring in readily accessible wiring chases to simplify future modifications.

Minimize wiring runs. Reduce material use by installing high-capacity runs to local hubs, rather than connecting each directly to a central hub. Local hubs can connect to workstations via wireless or short-wired connections.

Avoid wiring in exterior walls. Limit wiring runs and receptacle placement in exterior walls, particularly in residential buildings. Such installations interfere with insulation and can result in significant air leakage.

Avoid the need for plenum-rated and limited-combustion cable. Run data cable in metal conduit, sealed wiring chases, or cellular raceways in concrete decking to avoid the need for highly flame-resistant cable.

Don’t overwire. Design for future wiring needs, but avoid installing wires unless there is an immediate need for them.

Design for future removal. Design installations so that wire can be easily removed when not in use.

Minimize EMF. Rely on “prudent avoidance” strategies to minimize exposure of building occupants to electromagnetic fields.

Go wireless. Use wireless data connections instead of hard-wired ones for maximum flexibility and minimum material use. Wireless connections may be usable in some local areas, even if they are not usable buildingwide.

ADVERTISEMENT

Specifications

Plan for future needs. Install voice-data-video (VDV) cable that can serve upgraded networks so that cable will not become obsolete as quickly.

Eliminate use of lead stabilizers. Some PVC wire insulation and jacketing are composed of 5 to 10 percent lead by weight. Specifiy products that don’t contain lead stabilizers.

Don’t install lead-stabilized cable loose in plenums. To keep lead dust out of indoor air, cable that’s stabilized with lead (which includes most plenum-rated cable) should be installed in metal conduit and not directly exposed to conditioned air circulating through ceiling or floor plenums.

Specify halogen-free products. Wherever possible, specify wire and cable insulation and jacketing that do not contain PVC, chlorinated polyethylene, FEP, or products containing brominated flame retardants.

Specify heavy-metal-free wire and cable. Cadmium, chromium, and other heavy metals are often using in pigments for wire insulation and jackets. Avoid using them whenever possible.

Use fiber-optic cable. Fiber optics, widely used to carry voice and data signals, require less insulation and jacketing than copper wiring. It may be possible to run fiber-optic trunk lines to smaller copper distribution lines, thus reducing total insulated cable use.

Removal

Remove old cable. As per 2002 revisions to the National Electrical Code, remove cable that is not being used or will not be usable in the future.

Follow safety precautions when removing old cable. Old cable contains high levels of lead dust. Ensure that workers wear proper respiratory protection, and seal removed cable in plastic bags.

Recycle old cable. Deliver old cable to facilities where it’s properly recycled; never burn old cable to recover copper.