Designing a low-voltage system for NYC buildings under the 2025 Electrical Code

Why one plan works better than separate vendors

When the internet provider, alarm company, camera installer, audio installer and intercom vendor each run their own cable, the result is duplicated pathways, unsealed penetrations and walls full of cable that nobody can identify. The NYC Electrical Code requires the accessible portion of abandoned low-voltage, communications and fiber cable to be removed (sections 725.25, 800.25 and 770.25), and cable kept for future use must carry a durable tag. A single design avoids that cleanup and gives the owner one record of the whole system.

System inventory

Pathways, conduit and the equipment closet

• Install empty conduit of at least 1 to 1.25 inches, larger for Cat6A bundles, between floors, from the rack to the attic or roof, from the rack to the internet service entrance, to each television wall, and to garages, yards and accessory buildings. Leave a pull string and cap the ends.
• Keep bends gentle and add pull points on long runs, so cable can be pulled later without damage.
• In multifamily buildings, install riser sleeves with listed firestop at each floor, and plan a dedicated low-voltage closet stack separate from the electrical room.
• In NYC, communications, fiber and coaxial equipment cannot be installed in an electrical equipment room (sections 805.133(C), 770.133(E) and 820.133(C)), so the network rack, recorder and ISP equipment need their own space.
• Give the closet a dedicated circuit installed by a licensed electrician, battery backup for critical equipment, and ventilation sized for the heat of PoE switches and recorders.

NYC rules after Local Law 128 of 2024

The 2025 NYC Electrical Code, adopted by Local Law 128 of 2024 and effective December 21, 2025, is the 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code with NYC amendments, now located in Title 28 of the Administrative Code. It defines low-voltage electrical work as wiring designed to operate at less than 50 volts for signaling, communication, alarm and data transmission circuits.

Section 28-105.4.7 exempts that work from electrical permits when a licensed master electrician, special electrician or qualified person performs it. Wiring that connects to, is part of or is located within life-safety systems (including fire alarm), circuits in hazardous locations, intrinsically safe systems, or a point of connection to a control circuit that activates light, heat or power circuits must be performed by a licensed master or special electrician. The Department of Buildings may add other systems by rule.

The permit exemption does not remove the technical rules, and the Department of Buildings can still inspect the work. NYC Buildings Bulletin 2020-001, issued under the previous code, clarified that firestopping is not electrical work and may be installed by people other than licensed electricians, so the low-voltage team can seal its own penetrations with listed systems.

Long Island jobs follow the 2025 New York State Uniform Code, in effect since December 31, 2025, and local inspection agencies. Where the 2023 NEC applies, cable types and substitutions moved from Article 725 to Article 722, so we confirm the edition with the inspection agency. Intrusion alarm installation in New York State is licensed by the Department of State under General Business Law Article 6-D, and we coordinate that portion with a licensed alarm company.

Intercom and entry in multifamily buildings

Under Multiple Dwelling Law section 50-a and DOB rule 1 RCNY 42-01, Class A multiple dwellings with eight or more apartments must have automatic self-closing and self-locking entrance doors and an intercommunication system at the main entrance. The rule sets the minimum as a bell or buzzer system, or a voice system between each apartment and the entrance, with a return buzzer that releases the door. The obligations that apply to a specific building are a question for its attorney or managing agent.

Older buildings often have audio intercom wiring in the risers that still has value. The upgrade path depends on the condition of that wiring and on the residents.

• A 2-wire IP system reuses the existing riser wiring and avoids opening walls in occupied apartments.
• An app-based video intercom lets residents answer on their phones without apartment stations, with a telephone or cellular fallback for residents who do not use smartphones.
• A full IP system with Cat6 to each unit suits gut renovations and new construction.

Electric strikes and magnetic locks must be specified as fail-safe or fail-secure according to egress requirements. Any connection to the fire alarm for door release is work for a licensed electrician and the fire alarm vendor, and door hardware is designed with the architect or code consultant.

Security cameras

• Use wired PoE cameras that record to a local network video recorder, with cloud backup as an option. Police departments in Los Angeles and New Jersey have warned that burglars use Wi-Fi jammers to disable wireless cameras, and they recommend hard-wired systems.
• Place the recorder indoors in a secured location on battery backup. A recorder that can be removed takes the footage with it.
• Aim cameras at your own property and away from neighbors' windows. Audio recording raises questions under New York's eavesdropping law (Penal Law section 250.05), so we configure video only by default and recommend legal advice before audio is enabled.
• In multifamily buildings, notify residents according to the lease and building policy, and consult the managing agent or attorney about notice requirements.

Labeling, testing and documentation

• Label every cable at both ends with a machine-printed identifier that matches the jack and the patch panel port, such as 2F-BR2-01, following TIA-606 practice.
• Prepare an as-built drawing with every drop location, and photograph open walls with a tape measure in view.
• Keep a patch panel schedule, an equipment list with serial numbers and firmware versions, warranty documents, and administrator credentials held by the owner.
• Test every run for wire map and length at minimum; commercial Cat6A installations receive certification test reports.

Phase-by-phase design checklist

We prepare one combined low-voltage layout for network, cameras, intercom, access control and audio from your plans or a sketch, coordinate it with your electrician and general contractor, and install it with our licensed partner contractors under a single estimate.