Summary: Digital Electricity™ and Class 4 Mismanaged energy systems They redefine how designers can safely deliver higher power over longer distances. With the introduction of Section 726 in the 2023 NEC, Class 4 circuits now recognize line drive techniques that use continuous fault monitoring to provide “touch-safe” high-power distribution. Remy activation Powerpip Cables support these systems through combination Pulse strength Transportation, long-distance accessibility, and strong code compliance for smart buildings, transportation, campuses, and critical infrastructure.
How can you deliver up to hundreds of volts over hundreds of meters while still keeping people as safe as they would be if they were touching low voltage cables? Class 4 FMPS, formalized in Section 726 of the 2023 NEC, answers this challenge by constantly monitoring circuits and turning off power within milliseconds when a fault is detected.
Instead of relying solely on traditional overcurrent devices, these systems use intelligent transmitters and receivers to sense conditions such as shorts, improper wiring, or human contact, and cut off power before damage or equipment damage occurs.
Fault-managed power systems: a new paradigm for safe energy delivery
Fault driven power systems FMPS uses digital monitoring to sense unsafe conditions and shut off power within milliseconds. Instead of relying solely on thick copper or heavy channel, FMPS uses logic-based protection to create a safer, higher-power path.
What makes FMPS different?
Continuous digital monitoring
Immediate power outage during a fault
Support for long distance power transmission
Safer than traditional low voltage power under fault conditions
Approved as Class 4 under Section 726 of the NEC
These systems allow integrators to plan for growth without adding large channels, cabinets, or multiple power supplies over the long term.
Curious about integration Powerpip™ and FMPS in your next project? Ask a Remee expert To get personalized recommendations.
Why do fault-driven energy systems outperform older methods?
Class 4 FMPS bridges the gap between traditional low voltage and AC distribution by providing higher wattage, longer distances and enhanced safety in a single structure.
Key advantages include:
Higher power capacity than typical power-limited circuits, allowing support for demanding loads such as transmission systems, DAS, lighting, and industrial devices.
Continuous line monitoring provides automatic fault isolation rather than relying solely on fuses or breakers that only respond to overcurrent conditions.
DC distribution that matches well with modern electronics, smart buildings and distributed IoT infrastructure, reducing switching losses.
Because Category 4 systems are designed as line powering solutions, they can replace or complement many PoE and AC applications, simplifying infrastructure in large buildings, campuses, transportation centers and mission-critical facilities.
Overcome Power over Ethernet limitations with PowerPipe™ Pulse Power
Standard Power over Ethernet technologies are typically limited to 100 meters from switch to device, and are primarily limited by the data signal rather than power alone. Even with higher-powered PoE variants, designers often need midrange injectors, additional electronics, or new AC power to reach remote devices.
Remee’s Activate™ cables address these issues Power over Ethernet limitations By combining multi- and hybrid copper/fiber designs, delivering approximately 20 times the power of PoE over hundreds of meters while using low-voltage installation practices. This is achieved through Pulse strength Power transfer, sometimes referred to as Digital Electricity™ or packet power transfer, which sends power in monitored pulses along powered Class 4 circuits.
Do you need a custom solution for your high power, long distance application? Order a new custom cable from Remee To meet unique specifications.
Compliance and design considerations for Class 4 systems
Because Category 4 is now defined in Section 726, designers and integrators must carefully select cables, terminations, and installation methods that comply with relevant NEC and UL standards. Powerpip™ Category 4 cables are UL 1400‑2 certified and listed for plenum, riser, general-purpose and direct-burial environments, dramatically reducing the guesswork of code compliance.
Dual-listed CL4Z/CL4P options allow a single cable type to pass through the entire mixed session, riser and external tracks without moving between different constructions, simplifying inspections and inventory management.
Digital Electricity™ and Class 4 Mismanaged energy systems The company is redefining what is possible in safe, long-distance power delivery, and Activate™ cables are at the center of this transformation by combining high power capability, long-distance reach, and strong compliance in one family of solutions.
If your smart building, campus or transportation project needs higher power, longer distances and uncompromising security, Ask a Remy expert About design options for category 4.
Note: Digital Electricity is a trademark of VoltServer, Inc.
Instructions:
Q1: How do Class 4 managed power systems differ from conventional low voltage circuits?
A: Class 4 systems operate at much higher voltage and power levels than Class 2 and 3 power limited circuits, yet maintain a comparable safety profile using real-time fault detection and automatic shutdown. Traditional low-voltage systems rely largely on fixed limits and basic overcurrent protection, while Class 4 actively monitors line conditions and can isolate faults within milliseconds, even for problems that do not appear as simple overloads.
Q2: What makes PowerPipe™ cables best for Category 4 installations?
A: These cables are designed and tested to use faulty high voltage direct current. They feature hybrid copper or multipair/fiber designs and are fully compliant with new NEC and UL standards, making installations safer, easier and code compliant.
Q3: How do Category 4 systems benefit smart buildings and campuses?
A: It delivers higher power over greater distances, simplifies compliance, and enables future-ready IoT and automation, making infrastructure more scalable and more cost-effective.
Q4: Can PowerPipe™ cables handle high data and power needs?
A: Yes. Its hybrid design supports simultaneous power and fiber-optic transmission, eliminating the need for separate operations. In addition, the double-stacked brass PowerPipe™ Cabling allows a single cable type to pass through the mixed plenum, riser and external corridors without moving between different cable constructions.
