Type ITC cable, or
Instrumentation Tray Cable,
provides a cost effective
alternative for installation of low
power instrumentation and control
circuits. The National Electric Code
(NEC) defines Type ITC cable and
its permitted uses. Permitted uses
include ordinary (non-hazardous)
and classified (hazardous)
locations. These environments have
specific installation requirements
for electrical equipment, including
requirements for cabling that
passes between environments
(from hazardous to non-hazardous
locations). Traditionally, rigid metal
conduit has been used to install
instrumentation and control
equipment, although ITC cables,
along with other cables, are used
in these environments due to
the many benefits they provide
the user.
Different types of cables can be
used as an alternative to more
labour-intensive installation
methods, like rigid metal conduit.
Utilising cables, like type ITC cable,
in hazardous and non-hazardous
locations benefit users by
decreasing costs associated with
installation time, commissioning
and maintenance. By nature,
systems using rigid metal conduit
require more time to install
because wires must be pulled and
cut and the conduit must be bent
and fitted. Additionally, sealing and
boundary fittings may be required
in hazardous locations. This is
generally not an issue when using
cables and those like type ITC with
quick-disconnects may not require
precautionary measures (like
sealing) to pass from hazardous
and non-hazardous locations. Rigid
metal conduit also requires
hand-wiring terminations and is
therefore more susceptible to
human error, whereas
pre-moulded cables with
quick-disconnects can be installed
much more easily.
What is ITC cable?
Type ITC cable consists of two or
more insulated conductors
enclosed in a non-metallic sheath,
with or without grounding
conductors for instrumentation
and control circuits operating at up
to 150 V and 5 A, per NEC (National
Electrical Code) Article 727. This
cable can be used as an alternative
to conduit in many hazardous and
non-hazardous environments like
those found in pharmaceutical
industries, chemical plants and
refineries. As with all cabling
methods, the NEC requires that
only qualified people service the
installation, as they would notice
if cables were damaged,
understand associated hazards and
repair the installation.
......CONTD
