Just found out some cable runs are actually dangerous if you daisy chain too many splitters

I was reading through the latest NEC code update last night and found out residential RG6 runs over 150 feet with more than 3 splitters can actually cause signal degradation bad enough to mess with emergency alert systems. Found it in section 820.100 of the 2023 codebook. Has anyone else run into trouble with long drops in apartment complexes?

2 comments

2 Comments

alicesingh1mo ago

My 2022 year build apartment complex had a similar issue with the emergency alert system, but it turned out the main problem was not the splitters but the grounding at the demarcation point. In my experience, a lot of installers skip proper grounding because it takes extra time and then you end up with static that messes with the alert tones. I've also seen where poor quality F-connectors cause more signal loss than the splitters themselves, especially in older buildings where they used those cheap plastic crimp-on ones. Your mileage may vary but I always check the connectors first before blaming the cable length.

daniel5931mo ago

OH MAN, this is so spot on. My buddy Matt just had the EXACT same thing happen in his condo complex built in 2021. He was pulling his hair out over the emergency system dropping alerts, and the techs kept blaming the splitters and cable runs. Turns out the main box outside was barely grounded at all, just like you said. They replaced all the connectors with better ones and fixed the grounding, and the system worked perfect after that. It's crazy how something so simple like grounding or a cheap connector can mess up the whole thing.