Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Shielded Non-Plenum Cables

Summary: Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Shielded Non-Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control Multi‑Pair Shielded Non‑Plenum Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures low‑voltage security cable designed for dependable performance in commercial and industrial access control systems. Our multi‑pair, each‑pair‑shielded (EPS) non‑plenum cables support clean signal transmission for card readers, door strikes, mag locks, REX sensors, keypads, intercom stations, and intrusion detection zones—helping integrators complete projects on time while maintaining code compliance and system reliability.

Every cable in this category is SmartWire®, our U.S.‑manufactured low‑voltage cable line. SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied during manufacturing and reduces friction during pulls by up to 70%, supporting faster installs through conduit and pathways while helping protect cable integrity. Together with UL Listed C(UL)US CMR and RoHS compliance, these shielded riser cables offer a straightforward, professional choice for access control and security cabling standards.

• Multi‑pair efficiency: Consolidate device home‑runs and simplify terminations for readers, keypads, door hardware, and control panels.
• Each‑Pair Shielded (EPS): Individual foil shields around each pair enhance noise immunity and reduce crosstalk for cleaner data and control signals.
• UL Listed C(UL)US CMR: Suitable for riser applications and vertical runs in commercial buildings; ideal for security and access control cable drops.
• Low‑voltage cable construction: Purpose‑built for power‑limited security, access control, and alarm circuits.
• RoHS compliant materials: Meets current environmental and regulatory expectations without compromising performance.
• U.S. manufacturing: Consistent quality and availability from a trusted supplier based in Bolingbrook, IL.
• Color identification options: Standard pair color codes support quick installation; custom jacket and stripe colors are available to standardize your organization’s installs.

How this product line adds value
Security integrators and contractors gain a dependable, easy‑to‑pull shielded cable that supports sensitive reader/data lines and control signals across typical building riser pathways. By combining EPS shielding, riser rating, and SmartWire Glide lubrication, these access control cables reduce troubleshooting, improve installation speed, and help deliver consistent results on multi‑door and multi‑floor projects.

Available constructions

• 22 AWG 2 Pair Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser (CMR) Low‑Voltage: Each pair is individually shielded (EPS) to minimize interference and crosstalk in critical access control and security device runs. Well‑suited for readers, REX sensors, and door hardware where clean, reliable signaling is required.
• 22 AWG 3 Pair Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser (CMR) Low‑Voltage: Each pair includes individual foil shielding (EPS) for robust noise rejection across data and control pairs. A practical choice for combining reader/data, door contact, and auxiliary control circuits in one cable.

Conductor pair color options

• 2‑Pair: Black/Red, White/Green
• 3‑Pair: Black/Red, Green/White, Brown/Blue

Compliance
UL Listed C(UL)US CMR; RoHS Compliant.

Customization and project support
SmartWire is known for a wide range of jacket and stripe color options to help standardize cable identification across your jobs. Contact the Windy City Wire team to discuss product selections, specifications, or custom color needs for your next security & access control cable project.

Solutions: Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Shielded Non-Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control Multi‑Pair Shielded Non‑Plenum Cables from Windy City Wire are engineered for reliable low‑voltage signaling in commercial and industrial environments. Built on a communications‑grade, UL Listed C(UL)US CMR riser platform, these non‑plenum cables deliver consistent performance for access control doors, intrusion detection, and integrated building systems where signal integrity and noise immunity are critical.

Why multi‑pair, each‑pair‑shielded (EPS) matters

• Cleaner signals in noisy spaces: Each pair is individually foil‑shielded to minimize crosstalk and reject EMI/RFI from motors, VFDs, elevators, LED lighting drivers, and other electrical equipment.
• Fewer pulls, more capability: Run multiple control or data circuits in a single cable while keeping sensitive pairs isolated for consistent performance.
• Riser‑rated for code compliance: Non‑plenum CMR construction supports vertical riser and general‑purpose pathways between floors; specify CMP for air‑handling spaces if required.
• Fast, accurate terminations: Clearly color‑coded pairs support efficient device hookups and panel landings.
• RoHS compliant: Meets material compliance requirements for a wide range of projects.

Primary uses and system applications

• Door access control: Connect control panels to field devices such as card readers, keypads, request‑to‑exit sensors, and door position switches. EPS construction is well‑suited for Wiegand reader wiring and OSDP/RS‑485 communications, helping maintain stable data transmission alongside control or indicator leads.
• Intrusion alarm systems: Ideal for zone loops, glassbreaks, seismic and vibration sensors, and distributed I/O where shielded pairs help reduce false alarms due to interference.
• Intercom and entry systems: Support two‑way analog audio, call signal, and door release control in a single multi‑pair shielded cable.
• Video system integrations: Use for PTZ camera control (RS‑485), relay triggers, and accessory signaling between VMS devices and access control components. Video power and high‑bandwidth video transport should be cabled separately per system design.
• Elevator and turnstile interfaces: Reliable transport of control and dry contact signals for floor call dispatch, reader data, and barrier actuation in high‑EMI environments.
• Parking, gate, and perimeter security: Reader and sensor runs to gates, bollards, and vehicle detection systems benefit from individually shielded pairs for long distances.
• Building automation and controls: Suitable for low‑voltage control and serial protocols (e.g., RS‑485 for BACnet MS/TP or Modbus), as well as relay control and monitoring points used in security‑BAS integrations.
• Notification and monitoring add‑ons: Run signal pairs for sounders, strobes (trigger/control leads), tamper circuits, or supervisory contacts associated with security equipment. Follow applicable codes when circuits interface with life‑safety systems.

Choosing pair counts for access and security

• 2‑pair shielded: A practical choice for reader data with a secondary pair for LED/buzzer control or a door contact/REX signal, depending on device requirements.
• 3‑pair shielded: Adds flexibility for combined reader data, control/indication, and an extra pair for a spare, tamper loop, or additional sensor—useful for multi‑function doors or when future expansion is expected.

Where these cables excel

• Commercial campuses and high‑rise: CMR riser rating supports structured vertical pathways and telecom spaces tying back to security control rooms.
• Industrial and utilities: EPS shielding helps preserve signal quality near heavy equipment and switching gear.
• Healthcare and education: Stable, low‑voltage security wiring for door control, patient/visitor management points, labs, and restricted areas (specify plenum where local code requires).
• Government and critical infrastructure: Supports secure reader interfaces and alarm points with reduced susceptibility to interference.
• Data centers and logistics: Reliable signaling for mantraps, cages, turnstiles, and integrated monitoring within electrically dense environments.

Integration notes and best practices

1. Separate power where appropriate: Use dedicated power cabling for higher‑current devices such as maglocks and strikes; use the multi‑pair shielded cable for data and control leads to maintain signal integrity.
2. Ground shields correctly: Terminate drain wires and shields per manufacturer guidance (typically at the panel end) to avoid ground loops while maximizing noise rejection.
3. Match protocol to pair usage: Assign a dedicated shielded pair for differential protocols like RS‑485/OSDP; keep control or indicator lines on separate pairs to reduce crosstalk.
4. Plan for spares: Selecting the 3‑pair option can reduce future retrofit work by providing spare conductors for added functions or device changes.
5. Confirm code requirements: Use these non‑plenum CMR cables in riser and general spaces. For air‑handling spaces or specific life‑safety circuits that require different listings, select the appropriate rated alternative.

Typical signals supported

• Wiegand data lines (D0/D1), OSDP/RS‑485 serial communications
• Dry contact loops: door position, tamper, REX, relay I/O
• Low‑voltage analog audio for intercom and entry stations
• Control lines for indicators (LED/buzzer) and auxiliary triggers

Key advantages for specifiers and installers

• Signal integrity: Each‑pair shielding supports clean data and control communications in mixed‑use cable runs.
• Efficient cable plant: Multi‑pair designs reduce pathway congestion and simplify device rollouts.
• Standards‑driven: UL Listed CMR Non‑Plenum and RoHS compliant for broad acceptance across commercial and industrial projects.
• Clear identification: Color‑coded pairs support orderly terminations and faster troubleshooting.

Whether you are standardizing on reader wiring for a campus, tying access control into a video management or building automation platform, or upgrading intrusion detection in an industrial setting, these multi‑pair shielded non‑plenum security cables provide the combination of noise immunity, riser‑rated construction, and installation efficiency needed for dependable low‑voltage security and access control cable infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions: Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Shielded Non-Plenum Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Shielded Non-Plenum Cables cable?

  These cables are available in 22 AWG. Constructions include 2-pair and 3-pair options with each pair individually shielded (EPS) for superior noise rejection.

• What other colors is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Shielded Non-Plenum Cables cable available in?

  Available pair color codes include Black/Red, White/Green, Green/White, and Brown/Blue. Custom jacket and stripe color combinations can also be produced to standardize your installations—contact Windy City Wire for details.

• Is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Shielded Non-Plenum Cables cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  These cables use bare copper conductors. Standard builds in this category are solid for reliable terminations in security devices; contact us for availability of stranded constructions if required by your application.

• What length is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Shielded Non-Plenum Cables cable sold in?

  1,000 ft. At Windy City Wire we manufacture and stock SmartWire Security & Access Control cable wire in 1,000ft length as our standard length.

• What are some distinctions between BAC NET, RS232 and RS485 Cables?
  • RS-232: Single-ended, point-to-point signaling; short runs; more susceptible to noise. Typically requires fewer conductors and benefits from shielding for noise-prone environments.
  • RS-485: Balanced, differential signaling; supports multi-drop networks over long distances; excellent noise immunity. Best with twisted, individually shielded pairs (EPS) and proper termination—ideal for many security and access control systems.
  • BACnet: A communication protocol, not a physical layer. BACnet MS/TP runs over RS‑485 cabling (use low-capacitance, twisted, shielded pairs), while BACnet/IP uses Ethernet cabling. Choose cable based on the BACnet transport your system uses.

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