Count telephone, TV and LAN outlets: review power and communications plans separately

Which sheets contain low-voltage communications devices?

Apartment electrical drawings are usually divided into lighting, power, communications/information technology, and fire-alarm electrical plans. Low-voltage devices such as telephone, TV and LAN outlets, entrance intercoms and home-network wall panels normally appear on the communications plan. Power plans often show power outlets without these communications devices.

Some projects combine power and communications on one sheet. Check that its legend defines both systems. If it covers only one, request the missing legend or sheet.

How to separate communications-device rows

Communications outlets are separate items even when they share a plate with a power outlet. Separate their rows using the following criteria.

• Device type: Telephone (TEL), TV (coaxial), LAN (data/RJ45), intercoms, wall panels, speakers, etc.
• Configuration: Whether the device is a standalone outlet or a combined outlet, such as telephone+LAN or TV+LAN
• Port count: One- and two-port LAN outlets; one- and two-terminal TV outlets, etc.
• Installation location: Whether the device is inside a dwelling or in a common area such as a corridor, management office or security room

List a combined outlet as one item, such as ‘TV+LAN outlet’, and record its ports in the remarks. This lets the buyer separate plates and modules later if they are ordered individually.

Common communications takeoff mistakes

1. Confusion with power-outlet symbols. Communications outlet symbols often resemble power-outlet circles or semicircles, with letters such as T, TV, L or D. Counting by shape without reading the letters can incorrectly add them to power-outlet totals. legendPlease check the character notation first.
2. Devices inside the dwelling-unit communications cabinet. Hubs and splitters inside a dwelling’s communications cabinet are separate items, or part of the cabinet’s lump-sum scope. Do not count them as outlets.
3. Double-counting at the living-room TV point. When a TV outlet and a power outlet are side by side on a living-room wall, a common mistake is counting the TV outlet as a double-socket power outlet.
4. Missing revisions to communications plans. The power plan may be revised while the communications plan remains at an older revision. Revision numberRecord separately for each sheet.

How does Voltix handle low-voltage communications devices?

Voltix can also count telephone, TV and LAN outlets when their symbols are defined in the legend. If communications plans are missing, state this on submission; the results will identify that these devices are excluded. Submit power and communications plans together for a combined quantity schedule.