Security & Access Control Shielded Non-Plenum Cables

Summary: Security & Access Control Shielded Non-Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control Shielded Non‑Plenum Cables

Windy City Wire’s SmartWire low-voltage security and access control cables are built for dependable performance in riser and general non-plenum spaces. Manufactured in the United States and engineered for clean signal transmission, these shielded, UL C(UL)US Listed CMR cables help integrators deliver reliable access control, intrusion alarm, and video systems while controlling install time and rework.

Our products and solutions are designed for professional security projects where uptime and code compliance matter. With multiple AWG sizes, conductor counts, and shielding configurations, SmartWire gives you the flexibility to standardize across doors, panels, readers, sensors, and peripherals on a single job or across your entire portfolio.

• Application-ready selection: Purpose-built shielded non-plenum (CMR) constructions for door access control, intrusion zones, request-to-exit, mag locks/door strikes, keypads, and device power, plus RG59/U serial digital coax for CCTV and encoder runs.
• Noise control: Overall aluminum foil shields, individually shielded pairs (EPS), and braid/OAS options help reduce EMI/RFI and crosstalk in electrically noisy commercial environments.
• Install efficiency: SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied to the cable jacket during manufacturing and can reduce pulling friction by up to 70%, supporting faster pulls and smoother terminations.
• Code compliance and reliability: UL C(UL)US Listed CMR for riser use in non-plenum spaces and RoHS compliant.
• Configuration flexibility: Available in common security cable color code options to match your standards; custom jacket and stripe color combinations can be produced to simplify identification on site.
• Lengths and availability: Standard 1000 ft lengths, with select items also available in 500 ft.
• Coverage across common specs: AWG sizes include 16, 18, 22, and 20 (RG59/U coax), with shielding choices including Shielded, EPS (individually shielded pairs), and Aluminum Braid/OAS.

Where these cables are used
Access control panels and controllers; card readers and keypads (data and power); door position switches; request-to-exit devices; mag locks and door strikes; glass-break and motion sensors; distributed power supplies; and coaxial runs for cameras, encoders, and monitors requiring RG59 serial digital rated coax.

Why security integrators choose Windy City Wire
Consistent quality, US manufacturing, logical constructions for security and access control cable standards, and options that help reduce callbacks. SmartWire cables are part of our broader low-voltage product offering and are built to help you deliver neat, serviceable, and code-compliant installations.

Available conductor color codes
Common options include Black/White; Black/Red; Black/White/Red; Black/White/Red/Green; Black/Red/White/Green; Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue; and Black/White/Red/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow. Contact our team to discuss custom jacket and stripe colors for standardization across your jobs.

Compliance
All items in this category are low-voltage, shielded, non-plenum CMR and RoHS compliant. Always follow local codes for riser and plenum applications.

Available Constructions

• 16 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Overall shielded control cable for higher-current access control power runs, mag locks, and door strikes in riser spaces. The shield helps maintain signal integrity next to motors, relays, and fluorescent ballasts.
• 18 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Shielded power/loop cable commonly used for keypads, readers requiring modest power, and device power leads. A good balance of flexibility and voltage drop performance for longer pulls.
• 18 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Adds an extra conductor for combined power and signal needs at doors or sensors. The overall shield supports stable operation in mixed-voltage bundles.
• 18 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Versatile shielded control cable for readers, REX, and multi-function devices where power and data share one cable. Helps simplify homeruns from door hardware to controllers.
• 18 AWG 6 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Extra conductors support combined door hardware functions in one pull. Overall shielding helps minimize interference in dense riser shafts.
• 18 AWG 8 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: High-count shielded control cable for doors with multiple accessories or where spare conductors are desired. Useful for futureproofing and reducing additional pulls.
• 22 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Shielded signal cable for contacts, sensors, and low-current circuits. Ideal for intrusion alarm loops and door position switches in commercial buildings.
• 22 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Popular reader/data and sensor cable where two pairs are needed in one jacket. The overall foil shield helps reject EMI for stable card reader and keypad performance.
• 22 AWG 6 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Consolidates multiple low-current circuits to a door or device cluster. Overall shielding supports cleaner signals in shared pathways.
• 22 AWG 8 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Higher conductor count for multi-function devices or when spare pairs are specified. Suitable for complex access points and expansion.
• 22 AWG 12 Conductor Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Dense control cable to reduce multiple pulls in large openings or equipment rooms. Overall shielding helps maintain signal quality in high-interference areas.
• 22 AWG 2 Pair Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Individually Shielded Pairs (EPS) for data/communication lines where pair-to-pair isolation is required. Well-suited for reader/data, RS-485, or balanced signal runs.
• 22 AWG 3 Pair Bare Copper CMR Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Three-pair construction with overall shielding for multi-channel control and data in one jacket. Helps streamline terminations at panels and door controllers.
• 20 AWG 1 Conductor Solid Bare Copper RG59/U Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Serial digital rated coax with O/A aluminum foil and 95% tinned copper braid for CCTV and video distribution. Delivers stable video performance over typical camera and encoder distances.

Get started
Specify SmartWire shielded non-plenum control cable on your next security or access control project to standardize parts, reduce noise issues, and support efficient installation. Contact Windy City Wire to configure the exact AWG, conductor count, shielding type, and color code your team needs.

Solutions: Security & Access Control Shielded Non-Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control Shielded Non‑Plenum Cables from Windy City Wire are engineered for professional integrators who need reliable, code‑compliant low‑voltage wire for commercial and industrial facilities. These UL Listed C(UL)US CMR riser cables maintain signal integrity for door hardware, card readers, sensors, controllers, and surveillance endpoints throughout non‑plenum spaces, helping reduce callbacks and downtime across complex security deployments.

Where these shielded riser cables fit in your security ecosystem

• Electronic access control: Card and biometric readers (Wiegand or OSDP/RS‑485), door strikes and mag locks, keypads, REX/egress devices, door position switches, tamper loops, power runs from control panels and power supplies.
• Intrusion detection: PIRs, glass‑break and seismic sensors, perimeter and gate contacts, zone wiring to intrusion control panels.
• Entry/communication: Intercom stations, doorphones, annunciation devices, status LEDs, buzzers, and auxiliary relays.
• Video surveillance: RG59 serial digital rated coax for analog HD and SDI camera runs, encoders, and video distribution in non‑plenum areas.
• Perimeter and vehicle access: Gates, bollards, turnstiles, barrier arms, loop detectors, and reader pedestals.
• System integrations: Elevator and lock power interfaces, building automation/BMS tie‑ins for door release, visitor management, and security management platforms.

Industries and environments

• Corporate offices and multi‑tenant buildings
• Healthcare facilities, life sciences, and labs
• K‑12 and higher education campuses
• Industrial plants, utilities, and energy
• Distribution centers, logistics, and warehousing
• Data centers and mission‑critical facilities
• Retail, hospitality, entertainment, and stadiums
• Transportation, airports, and transit hubs
• Government, municipal, financial, and public safety

Why shielded non‑plenum riser cable for security?

• Noise immunity: Overall aluminum shielding (OAS) and options with each pair shielded (EPS) help protect sensitive reader data (Wiegand/OSDP), relay control, and sensor loops from EMI/RFI in electrical rooms, near VFDs, elevators, and long riser runs.
• Signal integrity over distance: Proper AWG sizing (16 AWG, 18 AWG, 22 AWG) helps minimize voltage drop for locks and readers, supporting consistent device operation across large campuses.
• Code compliance: UL Listed C(UL)US CMR riser rating supports vertical runs between floors and general in‑wall use in non‑air‑handling spaces. Use plenum cable where local code requires it.
• Material quality: Bare copper conductors support dependable termination, stable resistance, and long‑term reliability versus alternatives.
• RoHS compliance: Suitable for projects with environmental and procurement requirements.

Available constructions to match your device mix

• AWG options: 16, 18, 22 AWG multi‑conductor security cables and 20 AWG RG59 coax for video.
• Conductor counts: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12 conductors to support simple power runs through complex reader/keypad/door I/O needs.
• Pair constructions: 22 AWG 2‑pair and 3‑pair options, with EPS (each pair shielded) available for data‑bearing circuits.
• Shielding choices:
  • Shielded with OAS (overall aluminum shield) for broad EMI protection
  • EPS (each pair shielded) to isolate data pairs and reduce crosstalk
  • Aluminum braid/OAS on RG59 for additional coverage and mechanical durability
• Lengths: 1000 ft standard, with select constructions also offered in 500 ft.
• Conductor color codes: Clear identification to speed terminations and troubleshooting, with options such as Black/White, Black/Red, Black/White/Red/Green, and expanded sets for 6–12 conductor builds.

Selection guide by application

• Locks and power‑hungry devices: 16/2 or 18/2 shielded for mag locks, door strikes, and long power runs from control panels and power supplies.
• Card readers and keypads:
  • Wiegand: 22/6 or 22/8 shielded to accommodate data, LED, buzzer, tamper, and power leads.
  • OSDP/RS‑485: 22 AWG 2‑pair or 3‑pair EPS for balanced data plus power and control.
• Sensors and contacts: 22/2 or 22/4 shielded for door position switches, REX sensors, glass‑break, PIRs, and auxiliary inputs.
• Controller I/O and relays: 22/6, 22/8, or 22/12 for multi‑door panels or dense I/O terminations where a single homerun simplifies installation.
• Video surveillance (non‑plenum): RG59 serial digital rated coax (20 AWG, O/A foil with 95% tinned copper braid) for analog HD/SDI cameras, encoder links, and short‑to‑medium video runs.

Installation considerations

• Riser applications: Designed for vertical shafts and general non‑plenum pathways; choose plenum cable for air‑handling spaces as required by code.
• EMI‑heavy areas: Use shielded or EPS constructions near motors, generators, elevator machinery, and high‑voltage feeders to reduce nuisance alarms and reader errors.
• Voltage drop and distance: Select the appropriate gauge for device current draw and run length; 16 or 18 AWG for higher‑current locks and controllers, 22 AWG for low‑current signaling.
• Identification and serviceability: Utilize distinct conductor color codes to simplify device terminations, testing, and future adds/moves/changes across large facilities.

Compliance and quality

• UL Listed C(UL)US CMR for riser use in non‑air‑handling spaces
• RoHS compliant constructions
• Bare copper conductors for dependable connections and consistent performance

Windy City Wire supports security integrators, contractors, and facility teams with a full portfolio of access control cable, security cable, and RG59 coax options to meet specification, schedule, and budget demands across commercial and industrial security projects. Contact us for assistance with takeoffs, bill‑of‑materials development, or to match cable constructions to your specific devices, distances, and code requirements.

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

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

  Available conductor sizes include 16 AWG, 18 AWG, 20 AWG (RG59 coax), and 22 AWG.

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

  Available conductor color codes include: Black/White; Black/Red; Black/White/Red; Black/White/Red/Green; Black/Red/White/Green; Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue; Black/White/Red/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow; Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow; Black/Red, White/Green; Black/Red, Green/White, Brown/Blue.

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

  These models use bare copper conductors. The RG59 serial digital coax in this category has a solid 20 AWG center conductor; for the multiconductor control cables, stranding details vary by part number—please refer to the specific specification if you need solid vs. stranded confirmation.

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

  At Windy City Wire, we manufacture and stock SmartWire Security & Access Control cable in 1,000 ft as our standard length. Select constructions are also available in 500 ft.

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

  BACnet is a building automation protocol, not a physical layer; it commonly runs as BACnet MS/TP over RS-485 (twisted, shielded pair, 120-ohm impedance) or as BACnet/IP over Ethernet. RS-232 is a single-ended, point-to-point serial interface for short runs, typically using a few conductors and is more noise-sensitive. RS-485 is a balanced, differential serial interface designed for longer distances and multi-drop networks (2‑wire half-duplex or 4‑wire full‑duplex) and requires twisted pair with characteristic impedance around 120 ohms. In short: BACnet defines the communication protocol; RS-232 and RS-485 define the electrical signaling, with RS-485 favored for longer, multi-device control runs.

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