1 Scope

1.1 These requirements cover electrical cables consisting of one or more current-carrying copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum conductors with or without either or both grounding conductor(s), and one or more optical-fiber members, all under an overall jacket. These electrical and composite electrical/optical-fiber cables are intended for use (optical and electrical functions associated in the case of a hybrid cable) in accordance with Article 645 and other applicable parts of the National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70, under the raised floor of a computer room.

Cables complying with these requirements are:

1. Type DP-1 – Voltage Rating 600 volts, Flame Test: 2(b);

2. Type DP-1P – Same as Type DP-1 except Flame Test: 2(a);

3. Type DP-2 – Voltage Rating: 300 volts, Flame Test: 2(b);

4. Type DP-2P – Same as Type DP-2 except Flame Test: 2(a);

5. Type DP-3 – Voltage Rating none – for use in signaling circuits meeting the following requirements for maximum available voltage, current and power.

30 volts ac max.

other circuits for use in

60 volts dc max.

inherently limited power

42.4 volts peak max.

and/or

sources in accordance with

100 VA max.

the requirements in Audio/Video, Information

8 amps max.

and Communication Technology Equipment

– Part 1: Safety Requirements, UL 62368-1.

Flame Test: 2(b)

1. Type DP-3P – Same as Type DP-3 except Flame Test: 2(a)

1.2 Smoke and fire considerations are as follows for the cables covered in the requirements:

1. a) TYPE DP-1P, DP-2P and DP-3P CABLES – These cables are to be tested for smoke and flame characteristics in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces, NFPA 262. A cable that complies exhibits a maximum flame-propagation distance that is not greater than 5 feet, 0 inch, or 1.52 m, a peak optical density of smoke produced of 0.5 or less (32 % light transmission), and an average optical density of smoke produced of 0.15 or less.

2. b) TYPE DP-1, DP-2, and DP-3 CABLES – Cables comply with a 70,000 Btu/h (20.5 kW) vertical-tray flame test. The cable manufacturer chooses one of the following tests:

   1. 1) THE UL TEST REFERENCED IN 1 – This paragraph applies the test method described as the UL Flame Exposure (smoke measurements are not applicable) in the Standard for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables, UL 1685, or Wire and Cable Test Methods, UL 2556. For compliance, this test limits the cable char height to be less than 8 feet (244 cm).

   2. 2) THE FT4/IEEE 1202 TEST REFERENCED IN 1 – This paragraph applies the test method described as the FT4/IEEE 1202 Type of Flame Exposure (smoke measurements are not applicable) in the Standard for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables, UL 1685, or Wire and Cable Test Methods, UL 2556. For compliance, this test limits the cable char height to less than 59 inches (150 cm).

1.3 A cable that contains one or more electromagnetic shields may be surface marked or have a marker tape to indicate that it is "shielded". A cable that contains one or more optical-fiber members has "-OF" supplementing the type letters and is limited (see 2) to carrying optical energy that has been ruled not hazardous to the human body. A cable may consist of or contain one or more coaxial members.

1.4 These cables may contain one or more metal shields but do not have a metal sheath or armor. Electrical cables with a metal sheath or armor are covered as Type MC in the Standard for Metal-Clad Cables, UL 1569, or Type AC in the Standard for Armored Cable, UL 4.

1.5 These requirements do not cover the optical or other performance of any optical-fiber member or group of such members.

Summary of Topics

This new Fifth Edition of ANSI/UL 1690 dated March 14, 2025 incorporates editorial changes including renumbering and reformatting to align with current style.