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Low-Voltage 101. Plus more…. Common Terms Tossed Around. Text box. CM, CMR, CMP, CMX FPL, FPLR, FPLP Riser-Rated and Plenum CL2 and CL3 UL Listed AWG and Conductors CCA, CCS, and BC Reel, Reel-in-box (RIB), Spool Shielded or Unshielded Solid or Stranded Cat5e, CAT6, RG6, and others.
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Low-Voltage 101 Plus more…
Common Terms Tossed Around Text box • CM, CMR, CMP, CMX • FPL, FPLR, FPLP • Riser-Rated and Plenum • CL2 and CL3 • UL Listed • AWG and Conductors • CCA, CCS, and BC • Reel, Reel-in-box (RIB), Spool • Shielded or Unshielded • Solid or Stranded • Cat5e, CAT6, RG6, and others
Cable Ratings? Text box • CM – A general purpose Communications cable rating. Complies with UL-1581. • CMR – CM cable rating with valuable extras built in. Complies with UL-1666 • CMP – Includes traits of the CM and CMR cable ratings plus the ability to run inside air plenums and ducts. Complies with NFPA-262 and UL-910. • CMX – Basically the same as the CM rating with the exception of being UV rated. Complies with UL-1581. • FPL – A general purpose Fire Alarm cable rating. Complies with UL-1424 and UL-1581. • FPLR – Similar to CMR Communications cable rating but for use with Fire Alarm systems. Complies with UL-1424 and UL-1666. • FPLP – Shares the same traits as CMP Communications cable rating. Complies with UL-1424 and UL-910
Riser-Rated (CMR) vs. Plenum (CMP) Text box • Riser-Rated: Cable that can be ran between floors and not in duct work • Plenum: Cable that can be ran through plenum spaces of buildings.
Non-Plenum Airspace Text box
Plenum Airspace Text box
CL2 vs CL3 Text box • CL2 (Class 2 Circuit wire): Rated for up to 150 volts. • CL3 (Class 3 Circuit wire): Rated for up to 300 volts. • Both are types of multi-purpose wire used for security systems, speaker wire, intercom systems, and more.
Who or what is UL? Text box • UL is short for Underwriters Laboratories • Testing and approving products for safety since 1894 • 182 service centers in 70 countries • Performs safety testing on 18,750 categories of electrical, mechanical, and chemical products
ETL – Extraterrestrial Life??? Text box • ETL – Electrical Testing Laboratory • ETL is a product certification organization with more than 80,000 listings • The ETL Listed Mark is proof of product compliance to North American safety standards • The ETL Verified Mark is a symbol of performance integrity • ETL provides a competitive advantage in the marketplace
Text box AWG? What? Huh? Conductors? Train? Orchestra? Simply, anything that allows current to flow through it. In a wire and cable setting, the conductor is the copper part of the wire. The conductor is always insulated to prevent electrical shock • AWG: American Wire Gauge • Wire gauge describes the conductor diameter • Small AWG numbers = larger wire diameters • Large AWG numbers = smaller wire diameters
Copper Conductor Types Text box • BC (Bare Copper): All conductors are 100% copper (Also referred to as Solid Copper) • CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum): Core is composed of aluminum and outer is copper. • CCS (Copper Clad Steel): Core is composed of steel and outer is copper.
Reel, Spool, and Reel-in-Box Text box • Reel or Spool: Round drum-shaped object used to carry various types of cable. Typically constructed out of wood, plastic, or aluminum. • Reel-in-Box (RIB): Same concept as the standard reel or spool except this has a set of stands inside the box to support the reel. The box also makes for easier carrying and loading than a regular reel or spool. The stands and reel are typically made out of plastic.
To shield or not to shield… Text box Shielded Cable Unshielded Cable Unshielded – provides no shielding or protection from interference. Applications – unshielded cable can be used for any application when electrical interference isn’t a concern. Abbreviations – U/UTP: Unshielded Twisted Pair • Shielded - braided strands of copper (or other metal, such as aluminum) or a thin layer of aluminum foil. • Applications - security systems provides some protection from power frequency and radio frequency interference, reducing the number of false alarms being generated. Coax cable uses braided strands of copper for shielding. • Abbreviations – F/UTP: Foiled Twisted Pair U/FTP: Shielded Twisted Pair
Solid or Stranded Text box Solid Core Cable Stranded Cable Stranded conductor uses multiple wires wrapped around each other in each conductor Examples: CAT5e and CAT6 patch cords, Security Alarm Cable, and Speaker Cable • Solid core cable uses one solid wire per conductor • Examples: CAT5e, CAT6, Fire Alarm Cable, Thermostat Cable, and High Voltage Electric Cables
Wide, Wide World of Cable Types Text box • Cat5e • Cat6 • RG6 • Security Alarm Cable • Fire Alarm Cable • Thermostat Cable • Speaker Cable • Siamese CCTV Cable
Cat5e Cable Text box • Frequency: Up to 100MHz • Maximum cable length: 328 ft (100 m) • Standard AWG: 24-26 • Conductor: Solid copper • Industry standard for networking and communications
Cat6 Cable Text box • Frequency: Up to 250MHz • Maximum cable length: 328 ft (100m) • Standard AWG: 22-24 • Conductor: Solid copper • Built in separator to reduce interference • Improved networking abilities over Cat5e.
RG6 Coaxial Cable Text box • Recommended for distributing signals from cable TV, satellite dish or from a roof-top antenna • Most common types of Coaxial cable include: RG59, RG6 Dual and RG6 Quad Shield
Security Alarm Cables Text box • Provides connection between security system components i.e., keypads, door contacts, motion detectors, sirens, etc. • Typically the conductors are stranded • The most common security cables are: 18AWG/2 conductor, 22AWG/2 conductor, 22AWG/4 conductor, 22AWG/6 conductor
Fire Alarm Cables Text box • Provides connection for fire alarm control panels and fire devices i.e., pull-stations, strobes, sirens, smoke detectors, etc. • Conductors are always solid core • The most common fire alarm cables are: 18AWG/2 conductor, 18AWG/4 conductor, 16AWG/2 conductor, 16AWG/4 conductor
Thermostat Cables Text box • Cables designed for residential and commercial heating and cooling controls. • Typically 18AWG or 20AWG • Multiple solid core conductors (2-12 conductors)
Speaker Cables Text box • Provides connection between speakers and audio amplifiers • Typically 2 or more stranded conductors • 16AWG wire is most common
Siamese Cable Text box • Cable designed to connect cameras to recording devices • Constructed out of 1 RG59 Coaxial Cable and 1 18AWG/2 stranded conductor cable • Convenient cable for camera installations.
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