Small Business Guide
What is low-voltage cabling?
Low-voltage cabling is the wiring behind almost everything in a commercial building except the power outlets and lights: your internet, Wi-Fi, cameras, door access, phones, and screens. When people hire a "low-voltage contractor," this is the work they mean.
What counts as low voltage
"Low voltage" refers to the systems that run on low power instead of standard electrical current. In a typical business, that covers:
- Data and network cabling: the Cat6/Cat6A drops that carry internet and Wi-Fi to each desk, register, and device.
- Wi-Fi access points: the cabling that feeds the wireless access points mounted around a building.
- Security cameras and CCTV: the runs to each IP camera and the recorder.
- Access control: the wiring for card readers, door strikes, and entry systems.
- Phones and intercom: VoIP handsets, paging, and intercom cabling.
- Audio-visual: cabling for TVs, displays, sound, and conference rooms.
Low voltage vs structured cabling: what is the difference?
The two terms overlap, and people use them interchangeably, but they are not identical. Structured cabling usually means the organized data and network side: the labeled drops, the patch panel, and the tidy network closet. Low voltage is the wider umbrella, adding cameras, access control, alarms, and audio-visual to that same category of work.
If you want the data-and-network detail, read What is structured cabling? Deciding between cable types? See Cat6 vs Cat6A, which to install.
Who is licensed to install it
Georgia regulates low-voltage installation through the State Board of Low Voltage Contractors under the Secretary of State. The license classes split the work up: a Telecommunications class for phone, data, and network cabling, an Alarm class for security and access control, and an Unrestricted class that covers all of it. The crew doing the physical install has to hold the right class for the job.
Norvet designs, sells, and project-manages the work, then brings in a licensed low-voltage contractor to install it. You get one accountable contact for the whole project, and the licensing requirement is met by the people it belongs to.
Common questions
What is low-voltage cabling?
Low-voltage cabling is the wiring for building systems that run on low power rather than standard electrical current: data and network cable, Wi-Fi access points, security cameras, access control, phones, and audio-visual. It is the wiring behind almost everything in a modern commercial space except the power outlets and lighting circuits.
Is low voltage the same as structured cabling?
They overlap, but low voltage is the broader term. Structured cabling usually means the organized data and network cabling side: the drops, patch panels, and network closet. Low voltage covers that plus cameras, access control, alarms, and audio-visual. If someone asks for a "low-voltage contractor," they are usually asking for one company to handle several of those systems together.
Do you need a license for low-voltage work in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia regulates low-voltage installation through the State Board of Low Voltage Contractors under the Secretary of State. There are separate license classes, including Telecommunications (phone, data, and network cabling) and Alarm (security and access control), plus an Unrestricted class that covers all of it. The installer performing the work has to hold the right class for the job.
Does Norvet run the cable itself?
No, and we are upfront about that. Norvet sells and project-manages the work and coordinates qualified, licensed low-voltage crews to perform the installation. You get one point of accountability for the project without us claiming a license we do not hold.
Need low-voltage work for your space?
Norvet plans, coordinates, and documents the install with one point of accountability. Tell us about your space and we will scope it.