NEC wouldn't apply to telecommunications/low voltage. You may think yellow is common because of single mode fiber. Gray is far more common in the field in/on buildings. OSP is usually orange, because orange is the color for telecommunications/phone/internet. Gas plants use yellow markers/tracer. On Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 4:42 PM Gary Buhrmaster <gary.buhrmaster@gmail.com> wrote:
On Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 8:15 PM William Herrin <bill@herrin.us> wrote:
As others have noted: conduit is smarter. Communication cable standards remain in a state of flux much more rapid than the lifetime of a house and the little blue one-inch conduits are not exceptionally expensive.
And electricians (and the inspectors) understand ENT(*) and it's installation requirements (yes it still has physical securing requirements, such as securing it near the box, and at regular intervals along its run).
All in all, for a new construction, I would require it all to be in ENT. But, of course, a builder looks only at the lowest cost(s), as (probably) 98% of the buyers only look at how pretty the stainless steel appliances look like in the kitchen (surprise, surprise, those participating on the list are not the normal house purchaser).
Gary
(*) Commonly called smurf tubing due to a manufacturer's choice of blue, but it does come in other colors, and I think technically communications are supposed to be yellow per the most recent NFPA 70 (aka NEC), but I am absolutely too lazy to review the latest regulations.