1 COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS
1.1 PATHWAY SYSTEMS
1.1.1 Trunking systems
1.1.1.1 General
All trunking shall comply with BS EN 50085-2-1: Cable trunking systems and cable ducting systems for
electrical installations” Part 2-1: Cable trunking systems and cable ducting systems intended for
mounting on walls and ceilings. Documentary evidence of compliance shall be made available on
demand.
All trunking used to contain telecommunications (voice and/or data) cabling shall meet the requirements
of clause 1.1.1.2 and 1.1.1.3.
Where the trunking contains, or is intended to contain, both telecommunications cabling and mains
power cabling then the trunking shall additionally meet the requirements of clause 1.1.1.4.
Clause 1.1.1.4 contains requirements in accordance with the combined requirements of BS 6701
(2004): Telecommunications equipment and telecommunications cabling - Specification for installation,
operation and maintenance which requires conformance with BS EN 50174-2: Information technology.
Cabling installation - Installation planning and practices inside buildings. EN 50174-2, first published in
2001, has been revised and ratified in as a European norm in 2008. This standard contains new
requirements for segregation based upon the performance of the telecommunications cables and the
type and quantity of mains power circuits. Any trunking systems that do not meet the specific
requirements of 1.1.1.4 shall provide evidence that they conform to these two standards.
1.1.1.2 Appearance
The trunking shall comprise an integrated system from a single manufacturer and only components from
that system shall be used to implement the trunking system.
The trunking system shall be of a design that can be used as either “skirting” (where appropriate) or
“dado” containment.
1.1.1.3 Dimensions and space allocation
1.1.1.3.1 Category 5/5e and Category 6 cabling
For trunking systems intended to contain cables of up to Category 6 (in accordance with BS EN 501731:2007 and ANSI /TIA/EIA-568B.2), the space within the trunking system that is allocated to
telecommunications cables shall be capable of containing at least 24 No. cables of 7.5 mm diameter
without crushing or deformation of the cable sheath.
NOTE:
this requirement applies at the points of greatest restriction e.g. at corners or around fittings within the
containment.
1.1.1.3.2 Augmented Category 6 and Category 7 cabling
Recent developments in the area of telecommunication cable design has introduced products with
increased diameters. Unscreened “Augmented Category 6” cables (in accordance with ANSI /TIA/EIA568B.2-10) are considered the largest products. Screened “Augmented Category 6” and Category 7 (in
accordance with BS EN 50173-1:2007) are typically slightly smaller.
The space within the trunking system that is allocated to telecommunications cables shall be capable of
containing at least 22 No. cables of 8.0 mm diameter without crushing or deformation of the cable
sheath.
NOTE:
this requirement applies at the points of greatest restriction e.g. at corners or around fittings within the
containment.
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1.1.1.3.3 Terminations
Where the trunking system houses, or is intended to house, termination points/outlets then it shall:

provide adequate depth for the termination of the cabling to be undertaken in accordance with the
instructions supplied by the manufacturer of the connecting hardware, without crushing, kinking or
deforming the cable sheath and maintaining the minimum cable bend radius (post-installation)
specified by the manufacturer of the cable;

where the proposed cable bend radius is not known then a figure of 36 mm shall be used;

provide internal structures to prevent telecommunications cables within the trunking fouling the rear
of the termination points.

Boxes for termination points/outlets shall provide means for adjusting its total internal depth
between 38 to 46mm to safely cater for most common types of data module types and electrical
accessories available on the market

Termination/outlet boxes shall provide a concave back wall to avoid internal right angles which can
induce excessive cable dragging and bending.

Termination points / outlets shall incorporate top and bottom knock-out holes with angled edges
parallel to the direction of the cable. This will maximize the flat contact area between box and cable
reducing the risk of damaging external sheathing of the cable and compromising performance.

The trunking system shall enable changes of direction using fittings to provide:

variable-angle internal corners with built-in living hinge for adjustment;

variable-angle external corners with built-in living hinge for adjustment;

90o flat angles;

T-pieces.
The fittings used shall:

maintain, as continuous, the protection to the cabling, provided by the trunking system;

maintain, but not enlarge, the minimum requirements for cable capacity of the trunking system (as
detailed in 1.1.1.3.1 and 1.1.1.3.2);

ensure that the maximum number of cables (specified above) are able to follow the change of
direction without crushing, kinking or deforming the sheath and maintaining the minimum cable
bend radius (post-installation) specified by the manufacturer of the cable;

where the proposed cable bend radius is not known then a figure of 50 mm shall be used;

meet the requirements of 1.1.1.4 where appropriate.
1.1.1.4 Mains power segregation
The trunking system shall feature separate and independent access to sections containing
telecommunications cabling and mains power cabling.
For the purpose of protection (i.e. human safety and equipment protection) and in accordance with BS
6701, an internal barrier within the trunking system shall separate the mains power cabling and the
telecommunications cabling. The internal barrier may be either non-conductive or conductive – if
conductive; the barrier shall provide protective earth continuity in accordance with local electrical safety
regulations.
NOTE:
metallic films and foils are not considered adequate to provide protective earth continuity.
EN 50174-2:2008 specifies minimum separations between telecommunications and main power cabling
for the purpose of electromagnetic immunity (i.e. electrical interference from the mains cabling to the
telecommunications cabling). The requirements are scaled, based upon the current carried by the
mains power cables and the electromagnetic immunity performance of the telecommunications cabling.
Table 1: Separation distance for electromagnetic immunity
Telecommunications cable
performance
Total current capacity @ 230 V
60 A
120 A
Unrestricted
Category 5 (min)
Minimum separation distance (mm)
60
120
20
40
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Within trunking constructed from non-conductive materials it is necessary to provide a minimum
separation as detailed in Table 1. In Table 1, maximum design current capacity of the mains power
compartment shall be defined by the supplier of the trunking assuming that each mains power circuit
comprises separate conductors (i.e. not twin-and-earth).
For example, if the trunking supplier provides installation instructions that limit the mains power current
to 120 A, then the trunking supplier shall guarantee, either by the use of internal fittings or by the
application of installation rules, a minimum separation of:

40 mm, if the trunking is designed specifically to support telecommunications cabling of Category 5
minimum;

120 mm, if there is no restriction on the type of telecommunications cabling that may be installed.
It should be noted that the presence of conductive barriers, within non-conductive trunking, that
separate the mains power cabling from the telecommunications cabling do not allow any reduction of the
separation requirements of Table 1.
The minimum separation distance applies at all points in the trunking including locations where cables
are terminated.
2 INSTALLATION PRACTICE
2.1 PATHWAY SYSTEMS
2.1.1 Trunking systems
2.1.1.1 General
The trunking system shall be installed using only components specified by, and in accordance with the
installation method statements provided by, the supplier of the trunking system.
2.1.1.2 Installation of telecommunications cables within trunking systems
Telecommunications cables shall only be installed within the section of the trunking system specified by
the supplier of the trunking system to house such cables.
The quantity of cables installed shall not exceed the maximum number specified by the supplier of the
trunking system as appropriate for the diameter of cables used.
Fittings that are required to maintain segregation between telecommunications and mains power cabling
shall be as supplied, and used in accordance with the installation method statements provided, by the
supplier of the trunking system.
2.1.1.3 Installation of mains power cables within trunking systems
Installation method statements shall define the maximum quantity of electrical circuits (as defined in
Table 1) that may be installed in order that the separation provided by the design of the trunking
provides the required electromagnetic immunity for the telecommunications cabling (see Table 1).
Mains power cables shall only be installed within the section of the trunking system specified by the
supplier of the trunking system to house such cables. Fittings that are required to maintain segregation
between telecommunications and mains power cabling shall be as supplied, and used in accordance
with the installation method statements provided, by the supplier of the trunking system.
2.1.1.4 Installation of conductive barriers within trunking systems
Conductive barriers shall only be installed within the section of the trunking system specified by the
supplier of the trunking system to house such barriers and in accordance with the design rules supplied
provided by the supplier of the trunking system.
Where the barriers are installed for the purpose of protection then the design rules supplied by the
supplier shall meet or exceed the requirements of BS 6701 (see clause 1.1.1.1).
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2.1.1.5 Earthing of conductive barriers
Where conductive barriers are installed within trunking systems for the purpose of protection then the
barriers shall be earthed in accordance with local electrical safety regulations.
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