Temperature Control - Reliable Controls Cables

Summary: Temperature Control - Reliable Controls Cables

Temperature Control – Reliable Controls Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures low-voltage SmartWire cables purpose-built for temperature control, HVAC, and building automation system installations, including applications with Reliable Controls equipment. This category brings together temperature control wire and cable options that help integrators and contractors install dependable device, sensor, and controller connections with fewer re-pulls and less waste.

Why choose SmartWire for Temp Control?

• Purpose-built performance: Options across 16, 18, 22, and 24 AWG support device power, analog/digital signals, and controller communications for temperature control wire applications.
• Signal integrity where it counts: Select from non-shielded and shielded constructions (including OAS) to manage noise in mechanical rooms, near VFDs, or across long controller runs; low-capacitance choices are available for sensitive signaling.
• Plenum-ready choices: Many constructions are CMP plenum-rated to meet code requirements in air-handling spaces.
• SmartWire Glide lubrication: Our cable lubrication (applied at the jacket during manufacturing) reduces pulling friction by up to 70%, yet remains unseen and dry to the touch—helping crews move faster through conduits and crowded pathways.
• FastFIND Footage Markers: Integrated every two feet to help you quickly calculate run lengths, verify quantity, and track remaining cable, which can reduce waste by 15–25% and improve material utilization across projects.
• Color identification: Clear conductor color codes simplify terminations and device identification; custom jacket and stripe colors are available to standardize your organization’s installs.

Customer value for Reliable Controls and broader BAS projects

Whether you are wiring thermostats, room sensors, actuators, or controller networks, our temperature control wire and cable portfolio is designed for repeatable, low-voltage performance. SmartWire products support reliable controls work by combining consistent electrical characteristics with installation features that save time. The result is fewer change orders, cleaner terminations, and easier service calls long after commissioning.

• Available AWGs: 16, 18, 22, 24
• Shielding options: Non-shielded and overall-shielded (OAS)
• Standard lengths: 1000 FT; additional 500 FT, 250 FT, and 100 FT lengths available
• Common conductor color codes: Black/White; Black/White/Red; Black/White/Red/Green; Black/Red/White/Green; Black/White/Red/Green/Brown/Blue; White-Blue/Blue, White-Orange/Orange; and more depending on construction

Available constructions

• 16 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: A robust two-conductor choice for longer thermostat or actuator runs where additional current capacity or distance is required. Well-suited for device power and control in open ceiling or return air spaces.
• 18 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Two-conductor shielded cable for sensors and control loops in higher-noise environments. Helps minimize interference near motors and drives.
• 18 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Adds a third conductor for combined power/signal or auxiliary functions while maintaining noise protection. A dependable choice for multi-function field devices.
• 18 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Non-Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: A common thermostat and temperature sensor run for areas with minimal EMI. Straightforward to install and terminate.
• 18 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Non-Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: An extra conductor supports additional device inputs or commons without upsizing cable. Ideal for general Temp Control wiring.
• 22 AWG 2 Conductor Tinned Copper Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Low-capacitance construction for extended runs or sensitive analog signals. Tinned copper conductors and shielding support stable readings over distance.
• 22 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Three conductors with shielding for more complex sensors or control points in noise-prone pathways. Balances flexibility and protection.
• 22 AWG 1 Pair Tinned Copper Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: A twisted, shielded pair for controller communications and temperature probes. The compact profile simplifies routing to tight device locations.
• 18 AWG 1 Pair Tinned Copper Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Heavier-gauge shielded pair when voltage drop or load requirements increase. Supports stable signaling and device power on longer pulls.
• 24 AWG 3 Pair Solid Bare Copper Non-Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Category 3 style cable for low-speed control or auxiliary signaling with punch-down convenience. Solid conductors aid consistent terminations.
• 18 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Non-Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Four conductors for multi-point device wiring and common returns. A versatile pick for controller-to-field device homeruns.
• 18 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Adds overall shielding for four-conductor runs in mixed-power or higher-interference spaces. Supports clean signals to controllers and gateways.
• 22 AWG 6 Conductor Bare Copper Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Higher conductor count streamlines multi-sensor installations in one cable. Shielding helps maintain accuracy in dense mechanical areas.
• 18 AWG 4 Conductor + 22 AWG 3 Pair Stranded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Composite construction that combines power and multi-pair signaling within a single cable. Useful when integrating door hardware or peripheral I/O alongside BAS and Temp Control infrastructure.
• 24 AWG 4 Pair Bare Copper Non-Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low Voltage: Category 5e, 350 MHz verified for BAS networking, controller communications, and ancillary IP-connected devices. A practical backbone or device-level data option within plenum spaces.

How our temperature control wire supports Reliable Controls and other BAS platforms

From controller inputs to space sensors and actuators, SmartWire temperature control wire is engineered to deliver consistent results in real jobsite conditions. You get the flexibility to choose the right gauge, shielding, and pair count for each run—plus installation features that help crews work quickly and accurately. If your project calls for temperature control wire and cable that aligns with Reliable Controls system requirements and broader BAS best practices, SmartWire provides a dependable path to completion.

The Windy City Wire difference

• U.S.-manufactured SmartWire products for consistent quality and availability.
• Low-voltage cables designed to meet common BAS and Temp Control needs across commercial facilities.
• FastFIND Footage Markers to control material usage across all phases of the job.
• SmartWire Glide lubrication included at no additional cost to reduce pull time and effort.
• Custom jacket and stripe color options to standardize identification across your portfolio.

Count on Windy City Wire for temperature control wire that is straightforward to specify, easy to install, and built for the realities of the jobsite—helping you finish on schedule and support reliable controls performance for years to come.

Solutions: Temperature Control - Reliable Controls Cables

Temperature Control – Reliable Controls Cables

Windy City Wire supplies purpose-built low‑voltage temperature control wire and cable engineered for modern building automation. Whether you are deploying Reliable Controls, Trane, Honeywell, Alerton, Johnson Controls, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Carrier, Lennox, Distech, Delta Controls, or mixed‑vendor systems, our plenum‑rated constructions support sensors, actuators, and network communications across your HVAC and BAS infrastructure. This category focuses on Reliable Controls projects while remaining broadly compatible with other leading platforms, helping streamline design, installation, and commissioning for Temp Control applications.

Built for performance, code compliance, and long-term reliability

• Plenum-rated CMP with UL and c(UL)us listings to meet code in air-handling spaces; RoHS compliant materials for a clean installation profile.
• Multiple conductor options let you match the cable to the task: 2, 3, and 4 conductors; 1-pair and 3-pair; plus data/network constructions to support BAS trunks and controller networks.
• Shielding where you need it: unshielded for general device runs; O/A foil shielded (OAS) for noise‑sensitive analog signals and RS‑485 data (BACnet MS/TP, Modbus RTU).
• Available AWGs include 16, 18, 22, and 24 to balance run length, voltage drop, and device power in temperature control wire circuits.

Where these cables are used in BAS and HVAC

• Room, duct, and immersion sensors: temperature, humidity, CO2, and pressure transducers.
• Thermostats, controllers, and I/O modules for DDC panels and unitary controllers.
• VAV boxes, fan coil units, rooftop units, and air handling units (control loops, feedback, and setpoint wiring).
• Damper and valve actuators (on/off, floating, proportional), heat pump and boiler/chiller controls.
• VFD control interfaces, relay interlocks, alarm contacts, and monitoring points.
• Controller networking, including BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU serial trunks, and Ethernet segments for BACnet/IP where Category 5e is specified.

Compatible systems and integrations

• Reliable Controls controllers and peripherals for room-level and plant-level Temp Control.
• Major OEM platforms, including Trane, Honeywell, Alerton, and others using BACnet, Modbus, or vendor-specific I/O.
• Cross‑system BAS integrations that tie HVAC to lighting control, demand response, energy dashboards, and access/occupancy signals.

Choosing the right temperature control wire for the task

• 16 AWG 2‑Conductor (unshielded plenum): A solid choice for longer runs or higher‑current actuator circuits where reduced voltage drop is important.
• 18 AWG (2, 3, or 4 conductors; shielded and unshielded): Common for actuators, thermostats, I/O modules, and general device wiring in Temp Control systems.
• 22 AWG (1‑pair and multi‑conductor; shielded plenum, including low‑capacitance): Ideal for RS‑485 networks like BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU, and for low‑level analog signals (0–10 V, 4–20 mA) or thermistors where noise immunity matters. Low‑capacitance options help maintain signal integrity on longer trunks.
• 24 AWG Category cabling:
  • Category 3 (3‑pair, plenum): Fits certain legacy BAS communications and low‑speed signaling.
  • Category 5e (4‑pair, plenum): Used for BACnet/IP or controller Ethernet segments when specified by the controls vendor or engineer.

Industry applications

• Commercial offices and mixed‑use buildings focused on comfort and energy management.
• Healthcare facilities and labs requiring precise environmental control and reliable controls integration.
• K‑12 and higher education campuses with standardized BAS architectures.
• Industrial plants, warehouses, and cold storage with process or environmental Temp Control.
• Hospitality, retail, and multifamily properties balancing occupant comfort with operational efficiency.
• Data centers and technology spaces needing dependable environmental monitoring and control.

Why contractors and integrators choose our temperature control wire and cable

• Consistent constructions and plenum ratings simplify submittals and inspections across projects.
• Shielding and low‑capacitance options support stable communication on MS/TP trunks and sensitive analog lines.
• AWG and conductor count options align with typical engineering specifications for Reliable Controls and other major platforms, reducing rework and change orders.

Best‑practice guidance

• Follow the controls vendor’s specification for gauge, conductor count, and shielding on each circuit type.
• Use shielded, twisted pair for RS‑485 networks and run these separately from high‑voltage or VFD power to reduce noise coupling.
• Apply plenum CMP in air‑handling spaces and adhere to local codes and project standards.

From device loops to controller networks, our temperature control wire portfolio provides a clear path to compliant, dependable installations. If you need help matching a cable to a specific Reliable Controls controller, a BACnet MS/TP trunk, or any other temperature control wire application, our team can assist with selection to keep your project on schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions: Temperature Control - Reliable Controls Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire Temperature Control Reliable Controls cables?

  Available in multiple gauges: 16 AWG, 18 AWG, 22 AWG, and 24 AWG.

• What other colors are these SmartWire Temperature Control Reliable Controls cables available in?

  The following conductor color codes are available:
  Black/White
  Black/White/Red
  Black/Red/Green
  Blue-White/White-Blue
  Black/White/Red/Green
  Black/White/Red/Green/Brown/Blue
  Black/Red/White/Green
  Black/Red, White/Green, Brown/Blue
  Black/Red, White-Blue/Blue, White-Orange/Orange

• Are these SmartWire Temperature Control Reliable Controls cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  Both options are available. Select constructions use solid copper, while many control and paired constructions utilize stranded copper for flexibility.

• What lengths are these SmartWire Temperature Control Reliable Controls cable sold in?

  Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire Temperature Control wire in 1,000 ft length as our standard. Additional lengths of 500 ft, 250 ft, and 100 ft are also available.

• How is your SmartWire low-voltage Temperature Control cables sold on spools or in boxes?

  Our SmartWire Temperature Control wire is packaged in our patented RackPack carton to maximize jobsite efficiency. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

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