Security & Access Control Shielded Plenum Cables

Summary: Security & Access Control Shielded Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control Shielded Plenum Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire® low-voltage cables in the United States for commercial security, access control, and building automation systems. Our shielded plenum constructions help installers deliver reliable performance in return-air spaces, reduce noise from EMI/RFI, and meet common code requirements for power-limited and communications circuits. From door controllers, readers, keypads, and mag locks to intrusion sensors, intercom endpoints, and BAS/RS‑485 links, you’ll find the gauge, conductor count, and shielding you need to standardize your jobs and simplify deployment.

SmartWire cables include SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication applied to the jacket to reduce friction during pulls by up to 70%, which helps save time on long conduit runs and crowded pathways. FastFIND Footage Markers make footage calculations quick in the field, help verify remaining cable, and promote better material utilization, often reducing waste by 15–25%. If your organization requires easy visual ID, SmartWire offers a wide range of jacket and stripe color options; custom colors are available to support standardized installations across sites.

Highlights for specifiers and integrators:

• Low-voltage, shielded plenum cables for access control, security, and BAS applications
• Available gauges: 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 AWG
• Shielding options: overall foil shield and each-pair shielded (EPS) constructions
• Common listings available where noted (CL3P, C(UL)US CMP) to support code-compliant designs
• Lengths: 1000 ft standard; select items also available in 500 ft
• RoHS-compliant options available

When you choose SmartWire, you’re selecting products and solutions built to streamline installation and support consistent, trouble-free system operation across your portfolio.

Available Constructions

• 14 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum UL CL3P: Ideal for power-limited door hardware and longer access control power runs where additional current capacity is needed; overall foil shield helps maintain signal integrity in noisy environments.
• 16 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Suited for higher current devices such as mag locks and strikes; overall shielding helps minimize interference along shared pathways.
• 16 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Combines power and control conductors in a single jacket for streamlined pulls to controllers and locking hardware; overall foil shield reduces crosstalk.
• 18 AWG 1 Pair Tinned Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Common for BAS and RS‑485 runs (e.g., Trane Comm3/Comm4) where corrosion resistance and clean data transmission are important; overall shield supports stable communications.
• 18 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Versatile access control cable for door contacts, REX devices, and power/control; overall shielding helps reject EMI/RFI.
• 18 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum C(UL)US CMP: Adds a dedicated return or control leg in the same jacket to simplify device wiring; overall shield provides reliable noise mitigation in plenum spaces.
• 18 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: A go-to for controllers and multi-function endpoints where power and multiple signals are required; overall foil shield supports signal clarity.
• 18 AWG 5 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Consolidates additional control lines for complex door hardware or multi-sensor drops; overall shield helps maintain performance across shared pathways.
• 18 AWG 6 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Supports multi-signal terminations and combined power/control wiring to reduce homeruns; overall shielding helps protect low-level signals.
• 18 AWG 8 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: High-density control cable for panel terminations and device clusters; overall shield mitigates interference in congested cable trays.
• 18 AWG 10 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Consolidates numerous control points into a single jacket to simplify routing; overall foil shield guards against noise.
• 18 AWG 12 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Supports complex access and security terminations with many low-voltage control lines; overall shielding maintains consistent performance.
• 18 AWG 3 Pair Bare Copper Each-Pair Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Each pair is individually shielded to isolate data from power or multiple balanced signals, making it well-suited for readers, intercom endpoints, and control networks.
• 18 AWG 2 Pair Bare Copper Individually Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Pair isolation helps maintain data integrity for Wiegand, RS‑485, or audio/control combinations in access control runs.
• 20 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Balanced size for mid-length device runs where reduced resistance is beneficial; overall shield helps reduce induced noise.
• 20 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Offers an extra control or return conductor to support multi-function devices; overall foil shield promotes stable performance.
• 20 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Combines multiple control lines and power in one cable to reduce pulls; overall shield assists with EMI/RFI suppression.
• 22 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Frequently used for readers, keypads, door contacts, and low-current sensors; overall shield helps preserve low-level signals.
• 22 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Adds flexibility for combined power/control or supervised circuits in access control terminations; overall shielding reduces interference.
• 22 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: A standard choice for readers and keypads carrying power plus data; overall foil shield helps deliver clean signaling.
• 22 AWG 6 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Supports multi-signal endpoints and consolidated home runs to panels; overall shielding helps minimize crosstalk.
• 22 AWG 8 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Useful for higher I/O density and multi-drop control connections; overall foil shield improves signal stability.
• 22 AWG 12 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: High-conductor-count option for complex panels and device clusters; overall shield maintains performance in high-EMI areas.
• 22 AWG 2 Pair Bare Copper Individually Shielded Plenum C(UL)US CMP: Each-pair shielding supports clearer data for balanced signals, readers, and intercom lines in plenum spaces.
• 22 AWG 3 Pair Bare Copper Individually Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Pair isolation minimizes crosstalk for multi-channel data and control in access control backbones.
• 22 AWG 3 Pair Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Plenum Rated: Overall shielded multi-pair cable for combined control and signaling where pair isolation isn’t required.

Why teams choose SmartWire for security and access control

• Shielding where it matters: overall foil or each-pair shielded designs help protect sensitive reader and controller signals from EMI/RFI.
• Plenum-focused: constructions suited for return-air spaces help you design once and standardize across facilities.
• Installation-driven details: SmartWire Glide lubrication reduces pull tension and rework; FastFIND Footage Markers support accurate measurements and help reduce jobsite waste.
• Configurable visuals: broad jacket/stripe color options and common conductor color codes (e.g., Black/White, Black/Red, Black‑Red/White‑Green) support fast identification in the field; custom colors available.
• Length options: 1000 ft standard, with select 500 ft options for service work and smaller projects.

Have a specification to meet or a multi-site standard to build? Contact Windy City Wire to discuss SmartWire constructions, listings, and color options that align with your security and access control design.

Solutions: Security & Access Control Shielded Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control Shielded Plenum Cables

Windy City Wire supplies a comprehensive line of shielded plenum low-voltage cable designed specifically for commercial and industrial security and access control systems. These constructions deliver consistent electrical performance, noise immunity, and code-compliant plenum ratings to support mission-critical devices across modern facilities. With UL Listed CMP and CL3P options and multiple gauges and conductor counts, these shielded plenum cables are an excellent fit for installers and integrators who need reliable, professional-grade security cable for both new construction and upgrades.

Where these shielded plenum cables are used

• Electronic Access Control – Door controllers to readers (Wiegand or OSDP/RS‑485), request-to-exit devices, door position switches, keypads, electric strikes, and mag-locks where an access control cable must balance power delivery and data integrity.
• Intrusion Detection – Motion sensors, glass-break detectors, balanced magnetic contacts, sirens, and control panels requiring shielded low-voltage cable to minimize false alarms from EMI/RFI.
• Video and Intercom Support – PTZ control loops (RS‑422/RS‑485), encoder/decoder serial control, intercom substations, and door stations that benefit from stable, shielded plenum cable runs.
• Perimeter and Gate Control – Gate operators, barrier arms, vehicle detection, and parking access systems needing robust, outdoor-to-indoor transitions with plenum-rated riser sections.
• Elevator, Turnstile, and Mantrap Interfaces – Secure area control and sensor loops that require predictable capacitance and shield effectiveness for clean signaling.
• Building Automation and Security Integration – RS‑485 control networks, including HVAC and BMS/BAS integrations such as Trane Comm3/Comm4, where pair-shielded plenum cable helps maintain signal integrity and reduces cross-talk.
• Duress and Panic – Fixed and under‑desk buttons and annunciation circuits that need dependable, low-capacitance shielded conductors.

Industries and facilities that rely on shielded plenum security cable

• Corporate and multi-tenant office buildings
• Healthcare and life sciences facilities
• Education campuses and K‑12 districts
• Data centers and critical infrastructure
• Industrial manufacturing and distribution centers
• Transportation hubs, parking, and airports
• Retail, hospitality, and entertainment venues
• Government, municipal, and public safety sites

Construction options to match your application

• Multiple gauges available – 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 AWG selections help you balance run length, device current, and allowable voltage drop. Use 14–16 AWG for higher-current devices like mag locks or long power feeders; 18–22 AWG fits readers, sensors, and data loops.
• Conductor counts and pairs – Choose from 1-pair and 2-pair for dedicated data links, or multi-conductor builds (2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 conductors) to consolidate power and signal in a single shielded jacket. Multi-pair options support separate channels while reducing jacket count.
• Shielding choices – Overall shielded (O/A foil) designs control external noise and provide a drain for proper grounding; Each-Pair Shielded (EPS) constructions isolate pairs from one another to reduce internal crosstalk on multi-pair links and to protect sensitive RS‑485/serial communications.
• Tinned and bare copper stranding – Tinned copper options are well-suited for demanding terminations and environments with elevated humidity or corrosive conditions; bare copper options meet the needs of general security and access control wiring.
• Plenum-rated for code compliance – UL Listed CMP and CL3P shielded plenum cable options support installation in environmental air spaces while meeting fire/smoke requirements and local codes.
• RoHS compliance – Helps you meet enterprise and project environmental requirements without compromising performance.

Application guidance: match the cable to the job

• Door readers and keypads – 22 AWG multi-conductor or 2-pair shielded cables help maintain signal integrity for Wiegand and OSDP runs, especially in electrically noisy environments.
• Locks, strikes, and power drops – 16–18 AWG shielded conductors reduce voltage drop and provide noise protection where power and control share the same pathway.
• Serial and controller networks – Pair-shielded (EPS) 18–22 AWG constructions are well-matched to RS‑485 segments and building automation links, including Trane Comm3/Comm4.
• Sensors and intrusion devices – 22 AWG shielded plenum cable provides clean signals for contacts, motions, and glass-breaks, helping avoid nuisance alarms from interference.

Lengths and project planning

• Standard 1000 ft put-ups support large commercial runs with fewer splices, and select constructions are also available in 500 ft lengths for smaller jobs or service work.

Why choose shielded plenum security cable from Windy City Wire

• Reliability in the plenum – Tested, UL Listed shielded plenum cable that maintains performance in return‑air spaces and meets common specifications for commercial buildings.
• Noise immunity – Overall foil and each-pair shielding options protect low-level signaling from EMI/RFI, helping maintain reader uptime, clean telemetry, and stable controller communications.
• Installer-friendly choices – A broad range of gauges, conductor counts, and shielding options helps standardize on a security cable portfolio that covers access control, intrusion, intercom, and integration with building systems.
• B2B focus and support – Built for professional integrators and contractors with the technical depth, documentation, and product consistency required for enterprise deployments.

Best practices for successful installations

1. Size conductors for current draw and run length to manage voltage drop, especially for locks and powered devices.
2. Select EPS (each-pair shielded) constructions when carrying multiple data channels or when serial links share the same jacket as power.
3. Maintain separation from high-voltage and high-current cabling; cross at 90 degrees when necessary.
4. Bond the shield at one end per manufacturer and project standards to drain interference without creating ground loops.
5. Verify local code requirements for CMP vs. CL3P and plenum use cases before installation.

Summary

If you need a dependable, plenum-rated security and access control cable that supports door hardware, readers, intrusion devices, intercom endpoints, and building automation interfaces, our shielded plenum portfolio provides the right mix of gauges, conductor counts, and shielding to meet commercial and industrial demands. From overall shielded multi-conductor builds to each-pair shielded multi-pair designs, you can specify the exact low-voltage wire you need for clean signaling, code compliance, and long-term system performance.

Frequently Asked Questions: Security & Access Control Shielded Plenum Cables

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

  Available gauges include 14 AWG, 16 AWG, 18 AWG, 20 AWG, and 22 AWG.

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

  Available color codes include: Black/White, Black/Red, Black-Red/White-Green, Black/Red/White/Green, Black/White/Red, Black/White/Red/Green, Black/White/Red/Green/Brown, Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue, Black/White/Red/Green/Brown/Blue, Black/White/Red/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow, Black/Red, White/Green, Brown/Blue, Black/Red/White, Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow, Black/Red/White/Green/Brown/Blue/Orange/Yellow/Purple/Gray/Pink/Tan, Black/Red, Green/White, Brown/Blue. Custom jacket and stripe color combinations are available to support standardized identification.

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

  These cables are built with stranded copper conductors for flexibility and durability in low-voltage security and access control installations. Conductor metallurgy varies by part number (bare copper or tinned copper as specified).

• What length is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Shielded 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 items are also available in 500 ft lengths.

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

  BACnet (BAC NET) is a building automation protocol that typically runs over RS‑485 (BACnet MS/TP) or Ethernet/IP; cabling for BACnet MS/TP is generally a shielded twisted pair sized per run length and device requirements. RS‑232 is a short‑distance, point‑to‑point serial interface and usually uses a single shielded pair for one device-to-device link. RS‑485 is a balanced, differential multi‑drop bus supporting longer distances and multiple devices on a single shielded twisted pair (or pair(s)), making it preferred for networked controllers and field devices in building automation.

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