Power-limited fire alarm circuits may not be in the same cable, cable tray, enclosure, or similar fitting with conductors of _____.

• A. Electric light and power
• B. Class 1 circuits
• C. Non-power-limited fire alarm circuits
• D. Medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits

Answer: (A)

Power-limited fire alarm circuits are designed to carry only a limited amount of electrical energy, so they must be kept separate from higher-energy conductors to avoid interference, overheating, and potential damage that could affect alarm reliability. The NEC requires that power-limited fire alarm conductors not be placed in the same cable, cable tray, enclosure, or similar fitting with conductors used for electric light and power. Keeping these circuits separate helps ensure that a fault or surge on lighting and power conductors cannot energize or compromise the fire alarm circuits and keeps the alarm system more reliable.

The other options don’t fit this specific separation rule because the requirement targets non-power-limited (electric light and power) conductors, not the other circuit classifications listed.