NEC 2026 changes for data/communication wiring
The 2026 National Electrical Code is ready for publication. The scope of Chapter 8 is changed from all building communication system installations, to only communications wiring outside or at the cable entrance point. Data/Communication system wiring is now in Chapter 7, which means it will be covered by general NEC requirements. For those designing data centers after 2026, many data/communication installation "best practices" will become code requirements. Probably the biggest change will "working clearances" for communications equipment in wiring closets and cabinet door openings in data centers. No more cramming equipment into shared closets or draping cables across the room. After the 2026 NEC is adopted, building code officials will be able to enforce those requirements.
Damn it! Does that mean i have to drop another $70 on another damn NEC book?!?? Ugh! Guess i’ll start using this old one for a doorstop… -Mike
On Aug 19, 2025, at 18:39, Sean Donelan via NANOG <nanog@lists.nanog.org> wrote:
The 2026 National Electrical Code is ready for publication.
The scope of Chapter 8 is changed from all building communication system installations, to only communications wiring outside or at the cable entrance point.
Data/Communication system wiring is now in Chapter 7, which means it will be covered by general NEC requirements. For those designing data centers after 2026, many data/communication installation "best practices" will become code requirements.
Probably the biggest change will "working clearances" for communications equipment in wiring closets and cabinet door openings in data centers.
No more cramming equipment into shared closets or draping cables across the room. After the 2026 NEC is adopted, building code officials will be able to enforce those requirements. _______________________________________________ NANOG mailing list https://lists.nanog.org/archives/list/nanog@lists.nanog.org/message/HNYMNOET...
Mike there is a playlist[1] with future videos which may be useful. But yes in general we all need to order a book in a few months to have something to point to. 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shDwIcn6MzU&list=PLfR4Ysy4uoFQfgugeq5fKyahYz1rs7PQv On Tue, Aug 19, 2025 at 7:44 PM Mike Lyon via NANOG <nanog@lists.nanog.org> wrote:
Damn it! Does that mean i have to drop another $70 on another damn NEC book?!?? Ugh!
Guess i’ll start using this old one for a doorstop…
-Mike
On Aug 19, 2025, at 18:39, Sean Donelan via NANOG <nanog@lists.nanog.org> wrote:
The 2026 National Electrical Code is ready for publication.
The scope of Chapter 8 is changed from all building communication system installations, to only communications wiring outside or at the cable entrance point.
Data/Communication system wiring is now in Chapter 7, which means it will be covered by general NEC requirements. For those designing data centers after 2026, many data/communication installation "best practices" will become code requirements.
Probably the biggest change will "working clearances" for communications equipment in wiring closets and cabinet door openings in data centers.
No more cramming equipment into shared closets or draping cables across the room. After the 2026 NEC is adopted, building code officials will be able to enforce those requirements. _______________________________________________ NANOG mailing list https://lists.nanog.org/archives/list/nanog@lists.nanog.org/message/HNYMNOET...
NANOG mailing list https://lists.nanog.org/archives/list/nanog@lists.nanog.org/message/4S5DMQIX...
-- - Andrew "lathama" Latham -
Only every three years :-) Or you can wait until 2029, NFPA plans a major rewrite/reorganization of the entire code in the 2029 edition. On Tue, 19 Aug 2025, Mike Lyon wrote:
Damn it! Does that mean i have to drop another $70 on another damn NEC book?!?? Ugh!
Guess i’ll start using this old one for a doorstop…
-Mike
On Aug 19, 2025, at 18:39, Sean Donelan via NANOG <nanog@lists.nanog.org> wrote:
The 2026 National Electrical Code is ready for publication.
The scope of Chapter 8 is changed from all building communication system installations, to only communications wiring outside or at the cable entrance point.
Data/Communication system wiring is now in Chapter 7, which means it will be covered by general NEC requirements. For those designing data centers after 2026, many data/communication installation "best practices" will become code requirements.
Probably the biggest change will "working clearances" for communications equipment in wiring closets and cabinet door openings in data centers.
No more cramming equipment into shared closets or draping cables across the room. After the 2026 NEC is adopted, building code officials will be able to enforce those requirements. _______________________________________________ NANOG mailing list https://lists.nanog.org/archives/list/nanog@lists.nanog.org/message/HNYMNOET...
Information on the new Cyber Security requirements in the NEC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlU5nSLiEqk I don't see any enforcement options today but expect that it is coming. On Tue, Aug 19, 2025 at 8:40 PM Sean Donelan via NANOG <nanog@lists.nanog.org> wrote:
Only every three years :-)
Or you can wait until 2029, NFPA plans a major rewrite/reorganization of the entire code in the 2029 edition.
On Tue, 19 Aug 2025, Mike Lyon wrote:
Damn it! Does that mean i have to drop another $70 on another damn NEC book?!?? Ugh!
Guess i’ll start using this old one for a doorstop…
-Mike
On Aug 19, 2025, at 18:39, Sean Donelan via NANOG <nanog@lists.nanog.org> wrote:
The 2026 National Electrical Code is ready for publication.
The scope of Chapter 8 is changed from all building communication system installations, to only communications wiring outside or at the cable entrance point.
Data/Communication system wiring is now in Chapter 7, which means it will be covered by general NEC requirements. For those designing data centers after 2026, many data/communication installation "best practices" will become code requirements.
Probably the biggest change will "working clearances" for communications equipment in wiring closets and cabinet door openings in data centers.
No more cramming equipment into shared closets or draping cables across the room. After the 2026 NEC is adopted, building code officials will be able to enforce those requirements. _______________________________________________ NANOG mailing list https://lists.nanog.org/archives/list/nanog@lists.nanog.org/message/HNYMNOET...
_______________________________________________ NANOG mailing list https://lists.nanog.org/archives/list/nanog@lists.nanog.org/message/P6KST6QA...
-- - Andrew "lathama" Latham -
Should have mentioned a timestamp of 4:40 to help those not overly interested in the other parts. On Fri, Sep 5, 2025 at 10:22 AM Andrew Latham <lathama@gmail.com> wrote:
Information on the new Cyber Security requirements in the NEC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlU5nSLiEqk
I don't see any enforcement options today but expect that it is coming.
On Tue, Aug 19, 2025 at 8:40 PM Sean Donelan via NANOG <nanog@lists.nanog.org> wrote:
Only every three years :-)
Or you can wait until 2029, NFPA plans a major rewrite/reorganization of the entire code in the 2029 edition.
On Tue, 19 Aug 2025, Mike Lyon wrote:
Damn it! Does that mean i have to drop another $70 on another damn NEC book?!?? Ugh!
Guess i’ll start using this old one for a doorstop…
-Mike
On Aug 19, 2025, at 18:39, Sean Donelan via NANOG <nanog@lists.nanog.org> wrote:
The 2026 National Electrical Code is ready for publication.
The scope of Chapter 8 is changed from all building communication system installations, to only communications wiring outside or at the cable entrance point.
Data/Communication system wiring is now in Chapter 7, which means it will be covered by general NEC requirements. For those designing data centers after 2026, many data/communication installation "best practices" will become code requirements.
Probably the biggest change will "working clearances" for communications equipment in wiring closets and cabinet door openings in data centers.
No more cramming equipment into shared closets or draping cables across the room. After the 2026 NEC is adopted, building code officials will be able to enforce those requirements. _______________________________________________ NANOG mailing list https://lists.nanog.org/archives/list/nanog@lists.nanog.org/message/HNYMNOET...
_______________________________________________ NANOG mailing list https://lists.nanog.org/archives/list/nanog@lists.nanog.org/message/P6KST6QA...
-- - Andrew "lathama" Latham -
-- - Andrew "lathama" Latham -
On 8/19/25 18:44, Mike Lyon via NANOG wrote:
Damn it! Does that mean i have to drop another $70 on another damn NEC book?!?? Ugh!
It's available for free online if you're willing to jump through a few hoops. https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-70-standard-development/70 -- Jay Hennigan - jay@west.net Network Engineering - CCIE #7880 503 897-8550 - WB6RDV
participants (4)
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Andrew Latham -
jay＠west.net -
Mike Lyon -
Sean Donelan