Can riser cable be used in plenum?

Can riser cable be used in plenum?

Plenum cables can be used in place of riser cabling in a “riser” space as plenum cables have a higher fire resistance. However, you cannot substitute a riser rated cable for plenum rated cable in a “plenum” space.

What is Riser rated cable?

Riser rated cable is a cable that is suited to go in non-plenum spaces and between multiple floors of buildings. Usually, riser cables are installed in between the walls of buildings. They can also be installed in areas that do not pose danger in case of a fire.

What is the difference between plenum and non-plenum cable?

Non-plenum cable usually serves to run through non-air circulating areas. Non-plenum includes riser rated cable, and other rated cables like CM cable, etc. The fire rating of riser cable is not as strict as the plenum cable since plenum cable uses less hazardous and lower smoke materials.

Can I use riser cable in my house?

Senior Member. You do NOT need plenum or riser rated for in wall home use, unless for some silly reason you are running the cables inside one of your air conditioning ducts. You most likely DO need some sort of CL2, CL3, CM, etc. rating to meet your local/state/whatever fire codes.

Is riser cable outdoor rated?

Generally, unless you are heading up into the plenum space or installing cabling outdoors, Riser Rated cable will provide a degree of safety and good value.

What is the difference between riser cable?

Riser rated cables run between floors through cable risers or in elevator shafts in non-plenum areas. Fire requirements are not as strict on riser cables compared to plenum cables. As a result, plenum cable can replace riser cables where as riser cables cannot replace plenum cables in plenum spaces.

How can you tell if a cable is plenum rated?

Look for CMP(means Communications Plenum Cable) ,CL3P(Shielded Multi-Conductor Plenum Security Cable) , or CL2P(Class 2 plenum cable ) marked on the cable. Plenum cable is covered with a fire proof plastic layer of either a low-smoke polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a fluorinated ethylene polymer (FEP).

Why is it called riser cable?

Riser cable is cable that is ran between the floors in non plenum areas. They get their name because of the way riser cable is ran which is rising up to each floor. Riser cable is important in that it can be a buildings backbone that transmits data, audio and video signals.

Do I need plenum cable in my house?

If there is no sheet metal duct; just the open ceiling or wall space, then you are required by law to use Plenum Rated cable. The lack of wall or ceiling return air grates is usually a sure sign that you require Plenum Rated Cable.

Is riser cable solid or stranded?

It’s construction makes it great for long runs which you want when you put it in risers or walls because the majority of these cables are going to have solid conductors. Solid conductors help give you better signal strength over longer distances and are stronger for pulling through the walls.

Why would you use plenum cable?

Plenum rated cable has a special insulation that has smoke and low flame characteristics. It is mandated to be installed in any “air handling” space. For instance, most large office buildings use the ceiling to return air to the AC unit. At that point, the use of plenum cables ensures safety.

When should I use plenum cable?

If you have a large wall or ceiling return air grate; remove and see if there the air is channeled through sheet metal ducting. If there is no sheet metal duct; just the open ceiling or wall space, then you are required by law to use Plenum Rated cable.

What is Cat6 riser cable?

The CAT6 riser cable is designed with a polymer filament with high tensile strength to support the cable when hanging in an open chute. This strength member is necessary for structural integrity of the cable when run from floor to floor.

What is riser cable?

Cat6 riser cables also referred to as communications multipurpose cable, riser (CMR), is a productive cable applicable to the safety standard “UL1666”. It is designed to fend off fire from escalating floor to floor in a vertical installation. Hence, it is used generally for vertical floor wiring.

What is Plenum wire?

Plenum Wire and Plenum Cable are wire and cable products that can legally be installed in the plenum spaces of a building, typically, the area used to store a building’s communication cables, both for the computer and telephone network.