Security & Access Control Non-Plenum Cables

Summary: Security & Access Control Non-Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control Non‑Plenum Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire® low‑voltage security and access control cable for commercial and industrial projects across the United States. Our non‑plenum, riser‑rated portfolio is designed for reliable device power and control signal transmission between panels, controllers, readers, locks, sensors, and peripheral equipment. As a B2B partner, we focus on product quality, availability, and practical features that help integrators, electricians, and security contractors install systems efficiently and with confidence.

Every SmartWire cable is made in the USA and built for consistent performance in security cabling applications. SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied to the cable jacket to reduce pulling friction by up to 70%, helping crews complete long conduit runs and tight pathways with less effort. FastFIND Footage Markers appear every two feet to simplify measurements, verify delivered footage, calculate remaining cable, and reduce waste across projects.

Our non‑plenum security cable lineup covers common access control and alarm cable needs, from high‑current door hardware power to low‑current sensor and control circuits, with options spanning 12–24 AWG and multiple conductor counts. Select constructions carry UL listings such as CL3R and CMR for riser use where plenum rating is not required. Color‑coded conductor schemes support clear identification and tidy terminations on site, and RoHS‑compliant constructions are available.

Why teams choose SmartWire for security and access control

• Low‑voltage, non‑plenum riser cable options for access control, alarm, intercom, readers, strikes/maglocks, REX devices, and panel home runs
• SmartWire Glide lubrication reduces pull friction, supporting faster installs and fewer cable handling issues
• FastFIND Footage Markers every two feet make measuring and material management straightforward and help cut waste
• UL listings available, including CL3R and CMR, for riser applications where plenum is not required
• Broad selection across 12, 14, 16, 18, 22, and 24 AWG with multiple conductor counts to match device requirements
• Standard 1000 ft lengths, with select constructions also offered in 500 ft and 200 ft
• Extensive conductor color code options for quick circuit identification and standardized installations
• Manufactured in the USA and suitable for commercial and industrial environments

At‑a‑glance options

• Available AWGs: 12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 24
• Shielding: Non‑shielded
• Lengths: 1000 ft standard; select items also available in 500 ft and 200 ft
• Conductor color codes: Black/White; Black/Red; Black/White/Red; Black/White/Red/Green; Black/White/Red/Green/Brown/Blue; Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue; Black/White/Red/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow; Black/Red/Green/White; Black/Yellow/Red/Green; Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow; Blu/Wht, Org/Wht, Grn/Wht, Brn/Wht, Gry/Wht; Blu/Red, Org/Red, Grn/Red, Brn/Red, Gry/Red; Blu/Blk, Org/Blk, Grn/Blk, Brn/Blk, Gry/Blk; Blu/Ylw, Org/Ylw, Grn/Ylw, Brn/Ylw, Gry/Ylw; Blu/Pur, Org/Pur, Grn/Pur, Brn/Pur, Gry/Pur

Available constructions

1. 12 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum CL3R: Heavy‑duty pair for powering door hardware and long home runs where minimizing voltage drop matters. Suitable for access control power and auxiliary device circuits.
2. 14 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum CL3R: Versatile riser‑rated pair for moderate‑current access control power and control wiring. A solid choice for panels, power supplies, and door equipment.
3. 16 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum CMR: Riser communications‑rated pair for readers, controllers, and power‑limited runs. Balances current capacity with manageable diameter for easier pulls.
4. 16 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: Four conductors let you combine power and control in one cable for door packages. Helps reduce the number of pulls and simplify terminations.
5. 18 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: Common choice for strikes, maglocks, and accessory power. Flexible and easy to route for everyday device connections.
6. 18 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: Adds an extra lead for devices needing an additional control or return. Useful for mixed power/control terminations.
7. 18 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: Combines multiple control signals or power plus data in one jacket. Well‑suited for readers and keypads.
8. 18 AWG 6 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: Supports door contact, REX, and control lines in one run. Helps manage conduit fill and reduce installation time.
9. 18 AWG 8 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: Higher conductor count for complex openings and multi‑function control points. Consolidates multiple circuits back to the panel.
10. 22 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: Low‑current signaling pair for contacts, sensors, and relay control. Ideal for short‑to‑medium runs with minimal power demand.
11. 22 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: Adds additional pairs for combined sensor loops and control functions. Helps standardize terminations while keeping bundles tidy.
12. 22 AWG 6 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: Multi‑input control cable for panels and zone wiring. Reduces separate pulls for multiple devices.
13. 22 AWG 8 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: Supports multi‑drop control, expanded I/O, or multiple zones in one sheath. A practical option for organized panel terminations.
14. 22 AWG 12 Conductor Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Riser: High‑density control cable for numerous low‑current circuits. Helps streamline complex control wiring and labeling.
15. 24 AWG 25 Pair Bare Copper Non‑Plenum CMR Category 3: Voice‑grade 25‑pair backbone for telephone, intercom, and legacy control terminations in riser spaces. Useful for multi‑pair communications drops and cross‑connects.

How this adds value to your next project

• Reduce installation time and rework with SmartWire Glide lubrication and easy‑to‑read FastFIND Footage Markers
• Match the cable to the circuit with a wide range of AWGs and conductor counts for access control and alarm wiring
• Simplify identification and service with standardized conductor color codes and options for custom color schemes
• Meet riser requirements with CL3R and CMR listings offered on select constructions, and choose non‑plenum designs where appropriate
• Rely on consistent, USA‑made SmartWire quality across your security and access control deployments

Talk with Windy City Wire about selecting the right non‑plenum security cable for your access control system design. Our SmartWire products and solutions are built to support efficient, code‑appropriate installations and long‑term system performance.

Solutions: Security & Access Control Non-Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control Non‑Plenum Cables for Commercial and Industrial Facilities

Windy City Wire supplies a broad range of low‑voltage, Non‑Plenum Security & Access Control cables designed for professional integrators, electrical contractors, and facility teams that need reliable performance and code‑appropriate riser solutions. These unshielded constructions support common access control, intrusion detection, intercom, and building interface circuits in commercial and industrial environments, with listings that include CL3R and C(UL)US CMR for use in riser spaces and general non‑plenum areas as permitted by code.

What these cables connect and power

• Access control: door controllers and panels to card readers (Wiegand/OSDP), keypads, request‑to‑exit devices, door position switches, electrified strikes, mag locks, and door operators.
• Intrusion detection: motion detectors, glass‑break sensors, perimeter contacts, overhead door contacts, sirens, annunciators, and zone loop wiring.
• Video and intercom peripherals: analog/hybrid CCTV power leads, PTZ control (e.g., RS‑485), intercom substations, and door stations for release triggers.
• Facility systems & interfaces: elevator and gate interface relays, turnstiles, parking and barrier arms, emergency call and panic buttons, mass notification triggers, and building automation tie‑ins via low‑voltage control.
• Legacy voice/control: 25‑pair Category 3 for multi‑line voice, control blocks, and multi‑zone terminations in existing system upgrades.

Where these cables are used

• Corporate offices and campuses
• Manufacturing plants, warehouses, and distribution centers
• Healthcare facilities and laboratories
• K‑12 schools, higher education, and research buildings
• Retail stores, mixed‑use, and commercial real estate
• Hospitality, entertainment venues, and event facilities
• Government, municipal, and public safety facilities
• Utilities, energy, and critical infrastructure
• Transportation hubs and parking structures
• Data centers and mission‑critical operations spaces

Key construction and compliance notes

• Non‑Plenum, Riser‑rated: CL3R and CMR listings support power‑limited and communications riser applications, respectively, in non‑plenum spaces where permitted by local code.
• Unshielded, bare copper: dependable signal integrity and termination quality across typical access and intrusion circuits without the added complexity of shielding.
• RoHS compliant: supports project sustainability and procurement requirements.
• Conductor identification: available with widely used color codes (for example, Black/White for 2‑conductor, and multi‑conductor sets such as Black/Red/White/Green) to streamline device terminations and troubleshooting.
• Standard put‑ups: supplied in 1000 FT lengths for consistent estimating and material planning.

Selecting the right gauge and conductor count

• 12/2, 14/2: higher‑current door hardware (larger mag locks, long runs to electrified strikes), power supplies, and device home‑runs where voltage drop is a concern.
• 16/2, 16/4: door operators, relays, and accessories that require moderate current or multiple conductors for power/control in a single pull.
• 18/2, 18/4, 18/6, 18/8: motion detectors, REX sensors, intercom station power, CCTV power/aux control, and multi‑function device drops.
• 22/2, 22/4, 22/6, 22/8, 22/12: readers (Wiegand/OSDP), door contacts, keypads, low‑current sensors, and zone wiring where small‑gauge conductors are ideal.
• 24 AWG 25‑pair Category 3: legacy voice, control blocks, and multi‑zone terminations in retrofit or expansion work.

Integration considerations

• Access control systems: supports reader protocols such as Wiegand and OSDP (RS‑485), door position and REX loops, and relay outputs from controllers to locks and operators.
• Video management and PSIM: use these cables for low‑voltage control, triggers, and auxiliary power; reserve category cable for IP video and PoE data links.
• Fire alarm interfaces: suitable for supervised dry‑contact interfaces where permitted; use fire‑alarm‑rated cable for dedicated fire circuits per code.
• Building automation: relay closures and low‑voltage signaling to BMS for events such as door status, after‑hours mode changes, and lockdown sequences.

Why spec Non‑Plenum Security & Access Control cable from Windy City Wire

• Code‑appropriate riser solutions: CL3R and CMR options for non‑plenum vertical risers and general spaces according to AHJ and NEC requirements.
• Coverage across device types: from 12 AWG to 24 AWG and from 2‑conductor up to multi‑conductor and 25‑pair, you can match the cable to the device’s current draw and conductor needs.
• Efficiency in the field: consistent color codes, bare copper conductors, and standard 1000 FT put‑ups support clean installations, faster terminations, and straightforward service.
• B2B supply partner: built for commercial and industrial projects with predictable availability, consistent quality, and product breadth.

Best‑practice selection tips

1. Confirm the environment: Non‑Plenum riser or general space. Use plenum‑rated alternatives when the cable must traverse a plenum.
2. Size for voltage drop: pick larger gauges (e.g., 12 or 14 AWG) for higher‑current loads or long runs to electrified hardware.
3. Match conductor count to the device: readers and multi‑function devices often require 4–8 conductors; simple contacts may need only 2.
4. Plan color coding: select conductor color sets that align with your team’s standards for faster installation and service.
5. Consider EMI: unshielded cables are suitable for most access and intrusion circuits; where high electromagnetic noise is expected, evaluate shielded options as required by the application.
6. Verify compliance: align listings (CL3R, CMR) with project specifications and the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

Applications summary
These Non‑Plenum Security & Access Control cables are a fit for low‑voltage security wire runs that include door hardware power, reader/signaling lines, intrusion alarm cabling, intercom and control wiring, gate and barrier control, and system interfaces across commercial and industrial facilities. Use them to standardize device drops, streamline riser builds, and ensure dependable performance in non‑plenum spaces, while meeting project requirements for CL3R/CMR listings and RoHS compliance.

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

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

  Available gauges include 12, 14, 16, 18, 22, and 24 AWG across non-shielded constructions for a wide range of security and access control applications.

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

  Available conductor color codes include: Black/White; Black/Red/White/Green; Black/Red; Black/White/Red; Black/White/Red/Green; Black/White/Red/Green/Brown/Blue; Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue; Black/White/Red/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow; Black/Red/Green/White; Black/Yellow/Red/Green; Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow; Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow/; Blu/Wht; Org/Wht; Grn/Wht; Brn/Wht; Gry/Wht; Blu/Red; Org/Red; Grn/Red; Brn/Red; Gry/Red; Blu/Blk; Org/Blk; Grn/Blk; Brn/Blk; Gry/Blk; Blu/Ylw; Org/Ylw; Grn/Ylw; Brn/Ylw; Gry/Ylw; Blu/Pur; Org/Pur; Grn/Pur; Brn/Pur; Gry/Pur.

  Custom jacket and stripe color combinations are also available—contact Windy City Wire for details.

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

  These SmartWire cables use bare copper conductors. Most security and access control constructions are stranded for flexibility, while select data/telephony items (such as 24 AWG 25‑pair Category 3) are typically solid. Refer to the specific item datasheet to confirm strand count.

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

  At Windy City Wire we manufacture and stock SmartWire Security & Access Control cable in 1,000 ft lengths as our standard. Additional options of 500 ft and 200 ft are available on select items. Every SmartWire cable includes FastFIND Footage Markers every two feet for quick length calculations and comes standard with SmartWire Glide lubrication to reduce pull friction by up to 70%.

• What are some distinctions between BAC NET, RS232 and RS485 Cables?

  BACnet is a building automation protocol (not a specific cable). BACnet MS/TP runs over an RS‑485 style balanced, twisted pair; BACnet/IP runs over Ethernet. RS‑232 is single‑ended, point‑to‑point, short distance (typically up to ~50 ft/15 m) and uses at least three conductors. RS‑485 is differential and balanced, supports multi‑drop networks, and longer runs (often up to ~4,000 ft/1,200 m at lower data rates). Choose balanced twisted pair for RS‑485/BACnet MS/TP and appropriate multi‑conductor cable for RS‑232.

Additional Links:

• Learn more about our SmartWire Cable
• The RackPack - Our patented cable delivery solution
• Our Transporters - RackPack Transportation Devices
• 19 Stocking Locations Nationwide - Find a Branch near you