Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior® Cables

Summary: Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior® Cables

Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire low-voltage cable engineered for security and access control installations that need to perform reliably in both indoor and outdoor environments. Our Water Warrior offering helps contractors and integrators streamline projects ranging from door access and intrusion detection to readers, strikes, mag locks, and control panels—especially where moisture, condensation, or wet locations are a concern. Built with bare copper conductors, non-shielded constructions, and UL listings that align with common security and control applications, these cables support dependable signal performance and straightforward installation practices.

Every SmartWire cable in this category is designed to help reduce pull tension and installation time. SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied during manufacturing and can reduce friction by up to 70%, which is especially beneficial in long conduit runs and challenging pathways. Color-coded conductor sets help with quick identification and terminations in the field, and we offer custom jacket and stripe colors to standardize your organization’s installations across projects.

Why choose Water Warrior SmartWire for security and access control?

• Indoor/outdoor performance and suitable for wet locations for dependable use in moisture-prone pathways and exterior runs.
• Low-voltage, non-shielded constructions in popular gauges and conductor counts to match common device and controller requirements.
• UL Type TC, PLTC, FPL, or NPLF listings align with typical tray, power-limited, and fire alarm signaling needs in security and access control systems.
• SmartWire Glide lubrication on every cable for easier pulls, fewer reworks, and consistent labor savings.
• Conductor color code options and custom jacket/stripe colors available to simplify identification and standardize your installation practices.

Applications

• Access control panels to field devices (card readers, REX sensors, door contacts, strikes, and mag locks)
• Security and building automation control wiring in trays and conduits
• Intrusion detection and other power-limited signaling circuits
• Indoor/outdoor transitions and wet or damp locations within manufacturer and code allowances

Available options at a glance

• Available AWGs: 12, 14, 16, 18
• Conductor counts: 2, 4, and 6 (18 AWG)
• Shielding: Non-shielded
• Conductor color codes: Black/Red; Black/Red/Orange/Blue; Black/Red/Blue/Orange/Yellow/Brown
• UL Types: TC, PLTC, FPL, or NPLF
• Suitable for wet locations
• Custom jacket and stripe colors available—contact Windy City Wire to discuss standardization for your organization

How our Security & Access Control Water Warrior cables deliver value

• Consistency across sites: The same SmartWire constructions in multiple gauges and conductor counts keep design, estimating, and field work consistent.
• Reduced labor on pulls: SmartWire Glide lubrication helps cable move through conduit and long runs with less friction.
• Cleaner terminations: Clear conductor color coding helps speed up device wiring and troubleshooting.
• Confidence in the environment: Water Warrior performance supports installations exposed to moisture or outdoor conditions where wet-location suitability is required.
• Scalable procurement: Standardized, low-voltage constructions make it easier to kit and deploy cables across multiple projects.

Available constructions

1. 12 AWG 2C Bare Copper Non-Plenum UL Type TC/PLTC/FPL/NPLF: Heavy-duty low-voltage pair for higher current devices or longer runs. Suitable for wet locations and indoor/outdoor security or access control power-limited circuits.
2. 12 AWG 4C Bare Copper Non-Plenum UL Type TC/PLTC/FPL/NPLF: Four-conductor build supports combined power and control in a single pull. Ideal for doors requiring multiple terminations to a controller.
3. 14 AWG 2C Bare Copper Non-Plenum UL Type TC/PLTC/FPL/NPLF: Balanced for medium-length power-limited runs to strikes, mag locks, or controllers. Non-shielded construction simplifies pulls and terminations.
4. 14 AWG 4C Bare Copper Non-Plenum UL Type TC/PLTC/FPL/NPLF: A versatile four-conductor option for power plus signal in the same cable. Common for multi-function door hardware and access points.
5. 16 AWG 2C Bare Copper Non-Plenum UL Type TC/PLTC/FPL/NPLF: Efficient choice for devices with modest current needs over standard distances. Works well for security power-limited applications.
6. 16 AWG 4C Bare Copper Non-Plenum UL Type TC/PLTC/FPL/NPLF: Combines power and control conductors for streamlined routing. Useful in devices requiring separate power and contact pairs.
7. 18 AWG 2C Bare Copper Non-Plenum UL Type TC/PLTC/FPL/NPLF: Go-to pair for short-to-medium runs for readers, sensors, and general signaling. Compact, flexible, and easy to route.
8. 18 AWG 4C Bare Copper Non-Plenum UL Type TC/PLTC/FPL/NPLF: Four-conductor layout supports devices needing both power and signal within one cable. Helps reduce conduit fill and multiple pulls.
9. 18 AWG 6C Bare Copper Non-Plenum UL Type TC/PLTC/FPL/NPLF: Six conductors provide added flexibility for multi-function door stations or combined control points. Consolidates terminations to speed installation.

Partner with Windy City Wire

As a U.S. manufacturer focused on security, access control, and building systems, Windy City Wire delivers products and solutions that help contractors finish faster with consistent results. Our SmartWire Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior cables provide the performance and selection to standardize your next project without compromise. Contact our team to discuss conductor color options, custom jacket and stripe colors, or to match a construction to your application requirements.

Solutions: Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior® Cables

Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior® Cables are purpose-built for commercial and industrial low-voltage security systems that must perform in both dry and wet environments. Designed for reliability in door access, intrusion detection, life-safety signaling, and building automation tie-ins, these unshielded, non-plenum cables help streamline installation while supporting the electrical and code requirements common to modern security infrastructure.

Where these low-voltage Security & Access Control cables are used

• Door access control: power and control runs for maglocks, electric strikes, door position switches, request-to-exit devices, and local door controllers.
• Perimeter and entry systems: gate operators, turnstiles, parking barriers, and vehicle/pedestrian portals.
• Intrusion detection: motion detectors, glass-break sensors, overhead door contacts, tamper loops, and relay outputs to panels.
• Fire alarm and life safety signaling: initiating device circuits and notification appliance circuits (NAC) when the cable type selected carries the appropriate UL designation (FPL or NPLF) and is installed per code.
• Intercom and entry communications: power and control wiring for door stations, call buttons, sounders, and relays (when separate from network cabling).
• Elevator and egress interfaces: door release, relay interlocks, and recall signals between access control, fire alarm, and elevator control equipment.
• Building automation tie-ins: connections between access control panels and BAS/BMS for occupancy-based HVAC and lighting control, lockdown modes, and alarm monitoring.
• Control cabinets and cable tray runs: Type TC/PLTC options support typical industrial tray, conduit, and panel wiring practices when installed per applicable code.

Industries and facilities that depend on Water Warrior® Security & Access Control cable

• Commercial offices and corporate campuses: multi-door access, visitor management, and system integrations across buildings.
• Healthcare: hospitals, clinics, and labs requiring reliable door control, nurse call tie-ins, and emergency egress interfaces.
• Education: K-12 and higher education facilities supporting classroom lockdown, perimeter control, and intrusion detection.
• Industrial and manufacturing: plants and process areas with cable tray runs, control panels, and wet locations.
• Warehousing and logistics: distribution centers, cold storage, and high-bay environments with gate access and building automation connections.
• Transportation and public venues: airports, transit hubs, stadiums, and arenas needing durable indoor/outdoor security wiring.
• Retail, hospitality, and mixed use: storefronts, hotels, casinos, and multi-tenant properties with integrated access and surveillance workflows.
• Government and critical infrastructure: municipal facilities, utilities, water/wastewater, and energy sites with stringent compliance needs.

Why deploy Water Warrior® for security and access control

• Engineered for indoor/outdoor and wet locations: built to maintain performance where moisture and environmental changes are a concern.
• UL listings aligned to security circuits: selections are available with UL Type TC, PLTC, FPL, or NPLF to support tray wiring, power-limited control, and fire alarm applications when installed to code.
• Unshielded for common power and control circuits: ideal for lock power, relay control, and contact loops where shielding is not required—simplifying terminations and pulls.
• Bare copper conductors: dependable conductivity and consistent performance at terminations, screw terminals, and barrier strips used in panels and devices.
• Conductor color coding that speeds work: typical pair and multi-conductor color sets (Black/Red; Black/Red/Orange/Blue; Black/Red/Blue/Orange/Yellow/Brown) aid consistent terminations and service.
• Black jacket: durable appearance well-suited for exposed runs in equipment rooms and exterior pathways where allowed by code.

Matching cable selections to security device loads

• Available gauges: 12, 14, 16, 18 AWG
  • 12 AWG: longer runs and higher-current devices such as larger maglocks, strikes, and notification appliance circuits.
  • 14 AWG: mid-length power runs for locks, power supplies to controllers, and higher-load relays.
  • 16 AWG: balanced option for mixed power/control at moderate distances.
  • 18 AWG: control loops and lower-current devices including door contacts, REX sensors, and panel inputs.
• Conductor counts commonly used in the field
  • 2-conductor: lock power, sounders, and simple relay control.
  • 4-conductor: combined power plus monitoring, interlock pairs, or dual devices at a single opening.
  • 6-conductor (18 AWG): multi-function door packages that combine power, monitor loops, and auxiliary relays on one pull.

Typical integrations these cables support

• Access control panels to door hardware and sensors (maglocks/strikes, DPS, REX, egress timers).
• Panel-to-panel and panel-to-power supply ties for fail-safe/fail-secure circuits and battery-backed systems.
• Security system to fire alarm interfaces for door release and emergency egress on alarm.
• Security to BMS/BAS for occupancy-driven control and event-based automation.
• Perimeter devices to video management systems for alarm-based recording and event correlation.

Installation notes

1. Confirm circuit classification and select the cable with the appropriate UL type (TC, PLTC, FPL, or NPLF) for the application and pathway.
2. Size the gauge for current draw and distance to manage voltage drop, especially on maglocks, strikes, and notification appliances.
3. Use multi-conductor options to reduce parallel pulls at each opening and simplify future service.
4. Follow local codes and AHJ guidance for indoor/outdoor routing, wet locations, conduit/cable tray usage, and terminations.

Water Warrior® Security & Access Control cables provide a dependable, low-voltage backbone for doors, gates, alarms, and related control systems in demanding commercial and industrial environments. With indoor/outdoor wet-location suitability, bare copper construction, unshielded designs tailored to common power and control circuits, and UL types that align to security and life safety needs, these cables support efficient installation and long-term system uptime across a wide range of facilities and applications.

Frequently Asked Questions: Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior® Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior® Cables cable?
  12 AWG, 14 AWG, 16 AWG, and 18 AWG options are available. Conductor counts include 2 and 4 conductors across these sizes, plus a 6-conductor option in 18 AWG.
• What other colors is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior® Cables cable available in?
  Conductor color codes available: Black/Red; Black/Red/Orange/Blue; Black/Red/Blue/Orange/Yellow/Brown. The outer jacket is Black.
• Is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior® Cables cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors?
  It is manufactured with stranded bare copper conductors for flexibility and reliable terminations in security and access control applications.
• What length is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Indoor/Outdoor Water Warrior® Cables cable sold in?
  1,000 ft. At Windy City Wire, we manufacture and stock SmartWire Security & Access Control cable in a 1,000 ft length as our standard length.
• What are some distinctions between BAC NET, RS232 and RS485 Cables?
  RS-232: Single-ended, point-to-point serial communication; short runs; typically uses a small number of conductors and is not designed for multi-drop networks.
  RS-485: Differential, multi-drop bus; supports longer distances and multiple devices on a twisted pair (120 Ω nominal impedance) with proper termination.
  BACnet: A building automation protocol that can run over different physical layers. BACnet MS/TP uses RS-485 cabling; BACnet/IP runs over Ethernet (Category cable). Choose cable based on the BACnet transport layer in use.

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