Temperature Control - Echelon Guideline Compliant Cables

Summary: Temperature Control - Echelon Guideline Compliant Cables

Temperature Control – Echelon Guideline Compliant Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures low-voltage SmartWire® cables designed for reliable building automation and temperature control applications. This product group meets Echelon guideline expectations for Lon-based control networks and other common HVAC control architectures, helping contractors and integrators standardize on temperature control wire and cable that installs cleanly and performs consistently in the field. With plenum-rated constructions and options for shielding, pair counts, and conductor types, these cables support sensors, controllers, thermostats, VAV boxes, and zone devices across commercial facilities.

Built in the United States as part of our SmartWire product line, these cables focus on real job-site needs: dependable electrical performance, straightforward identification, and smooth handling from pull to termination. They are frequently specified on “Lon” network projects and are also commonly referenced as lon mark wire and cable in bid documents. When you need temperature control wire and cable that balances code compliance, durability, and ease of installation, SmartWire is a proven choice.

  • Echelon guideline compliant: Suitable for Lon-based building control networks and temperature control signal runs in commercial environments.
  • Plenum-rated (CMP) options: Meet stringent flame and smoke requirements for installation in environmental air spaces within the building.
  • Available sizes and configurations: 16 AWG and 22 AWG options; 1-pair and 2-pair constructions; select shielded and non-shielded designs to match your noise environment.
  • Conductor choices: Tinned copper for added corrosion resistance in challenging conditions, or bare copper for general temperature control circuits.
  • Identification in the field: Pair color codes such as Black/White, White-Blue/Blue, White-Orange/Orange, and White/Blue support quick terminations and clear documentation.
  • SmartWire Glide lubrication: Applied during manufacturing to reduce friction during pulls, helping minimize installer fatigue and speed up rough-in without visible residue.

Where these cables fit best
Use for thermostat and sensor drops, controller-to-controller communications, zone and VAV connections, and general temperature control signal runs where Echelon guideline compliance and plenum ratings are required by spec or code.

Why choose Windy City Wire for your next project
Our SmartWire cables are engineered for the demands of building controls—consistent quality, dependable performance, and options that match common specifications. With plenum CMP selections, shielded and non-shielded constructions, and conductor choices in the sizes you use most, you can standardize across projects and reduce rework. We also offer custom jacket and stripe color options to support your organization’s identification standards. Count on our product breadth, U.S. manufacturing, and knowledgeable team to help you select the right SmartWire solutions for your temperature control installations.

Available constructions

  • 16 AWG 1 Pair Tinned Copper Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: A robust choice for longer runs and lower resistance requirements on control loops. Ideal when specifications call for Echelon guideline compliant conductors in plenum spaces.
  • 22 AWG 1 Pair Bare Copper Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: A go-to single-pair for typical thermostat and sensor circuits where shielding is not required. Efficient and versatile for everyday temperature control runs.
  • 22 AWG 2 Pair Bare Copper Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: Combines two pairs in a single cable to service dual points or signal plus power-limited control within one pull. Helps reduce pathway congestion and labor.
  • 22 AWG 1 Pair Bare Copper Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: Adds a shield to help reduce electromagnetic interference near VFDs, lighting ballasts, or other noisy equipment. A smart choice for sensitive control signals in challenging environments.

Summary
Windy City Wire’s Echelon guideline compliant SmartWire solutions provide dependable, low-voltage performance for temperature control and building automation projects using Lon and similar control platforms. With plenum CMP ratings, multiple AWG sizes, shielded and non-shielded options, and practical installation features, our product offering helps crews complete work efficiently while meeting specification requirements. For consistent results across jobs, make SmartWire the standard for your temperature control wire and cable needs.

Solutions: Temperature Control - Echelon Guideline Compliant Cables

Temperature Control – Echelon Guideline Compliant Cables

Windy City Wire supplies Echelon guideline compliant temperature control wire and cable engineered for reliable performance on LonWorks (Lon) building automation networks. These low-voltage cables support a wide range of temperature control and building management platforms, helping contractors and facility teams streamline installation and sustain long-term system uptime.

Where these cables are used

  • Device and network communications on Lon-based BAS: field controllers, supervisory controllers, and network interface devices
  • Zone-level control: VAV and terminal units, fan coils, packaged rooftop units, and heat pumps
  • Mechanical plant: boilers, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, and associated sensors and actuators
  • Environmental monitoring: room/duct temperature, humidity, pressure, CO2, and IAQ sensors
  • Critical spaces: labs, healthcare isolation rooms, data centers, and clean rooms
  • Integration pathways: gateways that bridge Lon to BACnet, Modbus, or IP-based supervisory systems

Compatible systems and platforms

These cables are suited for Lon-centric deployments specified by major HVAC and BAS OEMs, including Trane, Honeywell, Alerton, Johnson Controls, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Distech, Delta Controls, Automated Logic, Carrier, and others. Always follow the controller manufacturer’s wiring instructions and Lon installation guidelines for topology, segment length, and termination.

Why choose Echelon guideline compliant temperature control wire and cable

  • Designed for dependable Lon network communications in commercial buildings
  • UL Listed CMP plenum-rated constructions suited for use in environmental air spaces
  • Available options to match run length, load, and noise environment for sensor, actuator, and controller wiring
  • Consistent performance helps reduce callbacks and supports easier commissioning

Construction options to fit your specification

  • Gauge options: 16 AWG and 22 AWG to balance voltage drop, run length, and ease of pull
  • Pair counts: 1-pair for typical sensor/actuator circuits; 2-pair for combined or parallel signal needs
  • Shielding: Non-shielded and shielded selections to address electromagnetic noise near VFDs, switchgear, and generators
  • Conductor materials: Bare and tinned copper constructions; tinned copper helps resist corrosion in demanding environments
  • Color identification: Multiple conductor color code options (including Black/White, White-Blue/Blue, White-Orange/Orange, and White/Blue) support clear terminations and maintenance

Typical application guidance

  • Thermostats and sensors: 22 AWG 1-pair is commonly used for low-current signal runs where flexibility and easy routing are priorities
  • Lon device communications (FT-10 “free topology” segments): 22 AWG 1- or 2-pair depending on device count and network layout; follow Lon wiring rules for segment length and terminations
  • Actuators and longer runs: 16 AWG 1-pair can help mitigate voltage drop to damper and valve actuators or distant controllers
  • Noise-prone areas: Choose shielded versions when routing near VFDs, elevator equipment, or high-voltage feeders to reduce interference

Industries and facilities we support

  • Commercial offices and mixed-use buildings
  • Healthcare and life sciences facilities
  • K–12 schools, universities, and research buildings
  • Hospitality, entertainment venues, and convention centers
  • Industrial facilities, warehouses, and logistics hubs
  • Retail, grocery, cold storage, and food processing
  • Government, municipal, and transportation buildings
  • Data centers and mission-critical environments

Integration considerations

  • System interoperability: Echelon-based Lon networks commonly coexist with BACnet and Modbus; these cables form the field-level backbone for Lon device communications
  • Scalability: Selecting the right gauge and pair count up front helps accommodate future device additions on shared network trunks
  • Code compliance: CMP plenum rating supports use in return-air plenums where required by code
  • Serviceability: Clear conductor color coding simplifies troubleshooting, moves/adds/changes, and documentation

How to select your cable

  1. Confirm the BAS platform and whether the segment is Lon device communications, sensor signaling, or actuator power-limited control
  2. Choose gauge:
    • 22 AWG for typical sensor and short-to-moderate communication runs
    • 16 AWG when reducing voltage drop or spanning longer distances to actuators or controllers
  3. Select pair count:
    • 1-pair for dedicated signal or network runs
    • 2-pair when multiple signals share the same pathway (as allowed by the specification)
  4. Decide on shielding based on the electrical environment; use shielded in high-EMI locations
  5. Verify plenum requirements for your installation areas and adhere to local codes and project specifications

Examples by system

  • Trane and Johnson Controls: Lon-based VAV/terminal units, rooftop units, and AHU controllers communicating over free-topology segments
  • Honeywell and Alerton: Lon-enabled field controllers, sensors, and actuators in office towers, schools, and healthcare projects
  • Siemens, Schneider Electric, Distech, Delta Controls: Mixed-protocol campuses where Lon device networks connect to BACnet/IP supervisory layers through gateways