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A Guide to Selecting Wire and Cable for the Right Application

Trying to find the right low voltage wiring and cable can be time-consuming. Read up on this guide to find out which type of cable is right for your next job — whether that be for a fire alarm, security, network or speaker installation.

What is a low-voltage cable?

A low-voltage cable is made up of five components: the conductors, shielding, jacket, insulation and drain wire. This type of cable can transmit a maximum of 50V to a connected device. If a device requires a low-voltage cable, then it cannot work with regular wiring and vice versa. Not all electronics can handle the same amount of voltage. Some might need more voltage, so a low-voltage wire or cable will not suffice. If a device requires a low-voltage cable, then it cannot work with regular wiring and vice versa.

Cable vs. wire

Wire and cable have many similarities, but one key difference sets them apart. A wire is a single electrical conductor, while a cable is multiple electrical conductors grouped together with one sheathing.

Industry standards

The National Electric Code (NEC), also named NFPA 70, is a set of regulations to practice safe electrical handling during installations and inspections. Revised every three years, the NEC code offers guidelines that help prevent fires and accidents from occurring. In it, the NEC covers specifications for different applications for wire such as fire alarm systems, communication systems, AV systems and more. Following these guidelines can help integrators choose the safest and most efficient wire or cable for their specific job.

 

Check your wire size

The American Wire Gauge, or AWG determines the thickness of the wire and how well energy can pass through the current without damaging your equipment. The bigger the number gauge is, the thinner the wire, and the shorter the distance it can run, whereas the smaller the number, the thicker the wire and the longer the distance it can reach. To see which AWG wire size to use for a specific application, use your cursor to hover over each module.

AWG22

Use this wire size for access control and security applications.

22 AWG

AWG20

Use this wire size for access control and security applications.

20 AWG

AWG18

Use this wire size for access control, fire and security applications.

18 AWG

AWG16

Use this wire size for fire and speaker applications.

16 AWG

AWG14

Use this wire size for fire and speaker applications.

14 AWG

AWG12

Use this wire size for fire and speaker applications.

12 AWG

Cable characteristics and features

Solid vs. stranded

Every installation needs a certain type of cable conductor to work properly. Conductor cables are grouped into two common categories: solid and stranded or multi-stranded. Stranded conductors contain smaller, thinner wires packed together in one single insulated cable. Stranded cables are highly flexible, easier to install in tight spaces and are adaptable to areas with vibrations. These conductors are great for speaker, access and security cables. Solid conductors offer one single copper wire and need to be handled a little differently than a stranded cable. Solid conductors are nonflexible which means they need to be installed in places that don’t require much movement such as walls, conduit and ceilings. This also makes them able to transmit data over long distances. Solid conductors make significant use of fire alarm, thermostat, coaxial and category cables.

Shielded vs. unshielded

A cable’s shield helps protect it from outside interference that could disrupt the electrical signals. A shielded cable works best for noisier areas and where interference is higher than normal. This protective material helps prevent data loss and improves signal transmission to devices. A shielded cable is great for network, AV, speaker, access control and security applications. An unshielded cable can be used where less interference takes place in installations such as fire alarm, thermostat and networking cables. Unshielded cables offer less protection from electromagnetic interference, but they are easier to install and more cost-effective than shielded cables.

Plenum vs. non-plenum vs. riser cables

The NEC references several cable ratings that dictate where a cable is supposed to be installed. If a cable is rated plenum that means it is installed in the air ducts at the top of ceiling. Plenum cables have fire-resistant features and give off less smoke than most cables, making them safer during a fire threat. Unlike plenum cables, non-plenum cables cannot be installed in the air ducts or in any plenum areas. Instead, non-plenum cables must be installed inside the walls and across open ceilings where the air is stagnant. Non-plenum rated cables have a jacket called PVC or polyvinyl chloride that contains chlorine. If PVC burns, it releases dangerous fumes into the air which could pose a health risk. Speaker wires and audio cables are commonly used with this type of cable. A riser cable is rated for vertical runs or along the floors. This cable is also known for being fire-resistant with little chance of creating a safety hazard during a fire.

Cable construction styles

A cable's construction style is one of the many characteristics that make up a cable. These styles are categorized into four different types. Each cable construction style reveals which applications it can be used for. The four main types are multiconductor, multipair, coax cable and composite cable.

Wire applications

Low-voltage wire is an important addition to the devices we use every day. There are several applications that wire and cable can be used in including network cables, access control cables, security cables, fire cables, speaker cables and much more.

What are Category Network cables?

All category cables or network cables include at least four twisted pairs and solid conductors that fit into one jacket. Built to carry broadband internet, the most common network cables are Cat6, Cat6a, Cat5 and Cat5e.

Access and security cables

An access control system provides security measures and limited access to buildings, doors, entry points, locking devices and many more. Selecting the right cable for your next access control and security job is the key to maintaining system performance. An access control system commonly requires four basic cable applications for connectivity. These include card reader, door strike, request-to-exit and door contact cables.

Card readers

Card reader cables come in 22 to 18 AWG sizes with a range of up to 15 conductors. These cables are most commonly used for proximity readers and keypads. Reader cables require a foil shield in order to cancel out outside noise and come with a PVC (flame retardant) or PP (thermoplastic) standard insulation.

Card Reader Plenum Shielded Cables Card Reader Riser Shielded Cables

Door strikes

Electric door strikes are used to connect the door to the locking device. An 18 AWG cable size with two to four conductors is required for an access control system to carry the right amount of power for less voltage drop.

Door Strike Unshielded Cables Door Strike Plenum Unshielded Cables

Request-to-exit device

Request-to-exit or RTE is essential in an access control or security system that detects motion and sends signals to the control panel. This type of cable typically requires 22 AWG size with two to four conductors.

Request to Exit Unshielded Cables Request to Exit Plenum Unshielded Cables

Door contact devices

Door contact cables are designed for door opening/closing solutions such as a wireless or hardwired sensor and offer 22 to 18 AWG sizes. This cable comes with two to four conductors and has PVC or PP standard insulation.

Door Contact Unshielded Cables Door Contact Plenum Unshielded Cables

Fire alarm cables

Fire alarm cables, whether it is for a conventional or addressable fire alarm system, are very dynamic when it comes to choosing where to install the cables. Learning about the different jackets and what they mean for each cable application will help you keep structures and people safe from a fire hazard.

What is an FPL cable?

A fire power limited cable (FPL) is used for general purpose use but cannot be installed in ducts, risers, plenums and environmental air spaces – otherwise if it is installed in a conduit. This type of cable can make vertical runs through passageways or in between floors of a building. FPL cables are all labeled as fire-resistant but have less protection against fire than plenum cables. All FPL cables are required to pass UL tests 1424 and 1581.

FPL Shielded Cables FPL Unshielded Cables
FPLR unshielded cables vs. FPLR shielded cables

Unshielded fire power limited riser cables (FPLR) are used when installing cables vertically on the structure. The most cost-effective option, this cable is ideal for basic installations whenever a shield or plenum insulation is not required. These fire alarm cables come in sizes 22 AWG through 12 AWG and include up to eight conductors. A fire limited riser shielded cable is designed with an aluminum foil shield to protect from outside interference as well as a drain wire that is an added protection against interference.

FPLR Unshielded Cables FPLR Shielded Cables
FPLP unshielded cable vs. FPLP shielded cables

Created for horizontal installations, unshielded fire power limited plenum cables (FPLP) offer added protection such as low-smoke plastics in the jackets that are made to stop the spread of fires. The FPLP cable can be used in ducts, plenums and other environmental air spaces. A shielded fire alarm cable has multiple cables inside the plenum and therefore contains a shield made up of aluminum polyester foil. The shielding blocks interference from interacting with each of the wires.

FPLP Unshielded Cables FPLP Shielded Cables

Speaker cables

Setting up a speaker system, whether for a home theater or a large arena, can be a tedious task. Connecting the right cable between each speaker can create a prestigious sound that everyone will be sure to notice. Read below to find out how you as the installer can achieve a high-quality audio atmosphere for your customers.

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