Homeowners reasonably assume an electrician can run camera and network cable. Physically, of course they can. But in Florida the two are separately licensed disciplines with different standards and different failure modes. Using the wrong trade for data cable is a common source of problems that take years to surface.
What each trade covers
| Electrical contractor | Low voltage contractor | |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 120V / 240V line power | Under 50V: data, signal, control |
| Typical scope | Panels, circuits, outlets, fixtures, generators | Network cable, cameras, access control, speakers, intercom, automation control |
| Florida licensing | Electrical contractor license | Limited energy / low voltage license (e.g. ES, EF classifications) |
| Testing standard | Continuity, load, code compliance | Certified link testing per TIA cabling standards |
| Who should run Cat6 | No | Yes |
Why it matters in practice
- Interference. Data cable run parallel and close to line voltage picks up induced noise. It may pass a basic connectivity check and still drop packets under load. That shows up as a camera that goes offline occasionally and a video call that stutters.
- Bend radius and tension. Cat6 has a maximum pull tension and bend radius. Exceed either and the internal pair twist deforms permanently. The cable still lights up. It just will not carry gigabit reliably.
- Termination standard. Punchdown and jack termination require untwisting the minimum possible length. Small errors here are invisible and permanent.
- Certified testing. A low voltage contractor tests each run with a certifying tester and hands you the results. Continuity alone tells you almost nothing about whether a link will perform.
- Device knowledge. Camera lens selection, access point placement, PoE budget and speaker impedance are the low voltage trade's daily work and outside the electrical scope entirely.
How the two trades should work together
On a well-run project they coordinate rather than overlap. The electrician provides dedicated circuits and adequate power to the equipment closet and confirms grounding. The low voltage contractor runs signal cable on separate pathways, crossing power at right angles where crossing is unavoidable, and terminates and certifies every drop. Both should be on site during rough-in and both should be talking to the GC about closet size and ventilation, which is the detail most often overlooked.
If you are already mid-project and only an electrician is involved, it is worth having the data cable reviewed before drywall. Testing at rough-in costs very little. Discovering a bad run after the walls close costs a great deal more.
Building or renovating?
We coordinate with your GC and electrician at rough-in and hand over certified test results and as-built drawings at closeout.
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