Temperature Control Plenum Cables

Summary: Temperature Control Plenum Cables

Temperature Control Plenum Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures low-voltage SmartWire plenum cables engineered for reliable performance in HVAC and building automation environments. If you are sourcing temperature control wire and cable for thermostats, VAV boxes, actuators, relays, and zone controls, our Temperature Control Plenum Cables deliver consistent installation results in plenum air spaces while meeting UL plenum requirements. SmartWire is the brand name of the low-voltage cable that Windy City Wire manufactures in the United States. SmartWire is not a technology; it is a registered trademark used on our cable products that are part of a complete solution focused on safety, efficiency and labor savings.

Why choose Windy City Wire for temperature control applications

• Purpose-built for plenum spaces: Non-shielded constructions in CMP and CL3P plenum categories help simplify compliance for HVAC and building management system runs.
• Low-voltage focus: All offerings are designed for control and signaling circuits typically used in temperature control systems.
• Pulling performance: SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied during manufacturing and can reduce friction during pulls by up to 70%, helping crews work faster with less rework.
• Clear circuit identification: Standard conductor color codes help speed terminations and service across devices and zones.
• Made in the USA quality: Consistent materials, process control and compliance with UL and RoHS requirements provide dependable results on every project.
• Range of common builds: From 12 AWG power-limited control to fine 22–24 AWG pairs, you can match the cable to the device current, run length and termination size.

Where these plenum control cables fit

• Thermostat and zone control wiring (popular choices include 18 5 wire and 18 8 wire for multi-stage systems).
• General HVAC control circuits for dampers, relays, contactors and sensors.
• Building automation control loops and low-speed signaling.
• Comm Cable options (Category 3 CMP) for riser-to-zone communications in compatible systems.

Lengths and options

• Lengths: 1000 FT standard; select items also offered in 500 FT and 250 FT.
• Shielding: Non-Shielded across this section.
• Available AWGs: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 (pairs).
• Conductor color codes commonly available include: Black/Red; Black/White; Black/White/Red; Black/Red/White/Green; 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/White/Red/Green/Brown; Blue-White/White-Blue; White/Green; Blue/Brown; White/Blue-Blue; White/Orange-Orange.
• Custom jacket and stripe color options are available to help standardize your organization’s installs and make identification easier in the field.

How our product offering provides value

Contractors and integrators choose Windy City Wire because our SmartWire low-voltage plenum cables balance code compliance with jobsite efficiency. The combination of consistent conductor color codes, broad AWG and conductor count coverage, and SmartWire Glide lubrication helps reduce pull time and streamline terminations. With U.S.-made quality, UL plenum listings (CMP/CL3P) and RoHS compliance, you can specify with confidence and keep your project on schedule and within budget. Whether you need a straightforward 18 5 wire thermostat run or a higher count 18 8 wire for multi-stage equipment, you can consolidate sourcing with one trusted partner for temperature control wire.

Available constructions
Format: AWG CONDUCTORS STRANDING INSULATION VOLTAGE RATING: Description

• 12 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Non-shielded control cable for longer runs or devices requiring higher current in plenum spaces (CL3P/CMP as applicable).
• 14 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Power-limited control cable for HVAC equipment feeds in plenum areas.
• 14 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Adds a third control leg for common or additional signaling needs.
• 14 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Four-conductor plenum control cable for multi-point device control.
• 16 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Common HVAC control choice balancing flexibility and voltage drop over moderate distances.
• 16 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Adds a third conductor for additional control or sensor circuits.
• 16 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Four conductors for multi-device or multi-signal plenum runs.
• 18 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Go-to thermostat/control run for two-point circuits in plenum air spaces.
• 18 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Three-conductor control cable for added signaling or common returns.
• 18 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Widely used thermostat/control build for multi-function HVAC devices.
• 18 AWG 5 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: A popular 18 5 wire choice for multi-stage thermostats and zoning controls.
• 18 AWG 6 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Extra conductors for accessories, sensors and expansion in the same pull.
• 18 AWG 8 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: The 18 8 wire option supports complex control schemes with multiple stages or sensors.
• 18 AWG 10 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Higher conductor count for bundled control circuits to a single location.
• 18 AWG 12 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Maximizes circuit density for comprehensive device control within one cable.
• 20 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Smaller gauge option for shorter, low-current control and signal runs.
• 20 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Three-conductor build for compact control points and sensors.
• 20 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Four-conductor plenum cable for multi-signal devices where terminations are tight.
• 20 AWG 6 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Six conductors to consolidate several control loops in one jacket.
• 22 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Fine-gauge control/signal cable for shorter or low-current terminations.
• 22 AWG 3 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Three-conductor plenum cable for compact devices and sensor networks.
• 22 AWG 4 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Four-conductor option for small terminations and tight pathways.
• 22 AWG 6 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Six conductors for multi-point low-voltage control circuits.
• 22 AWG 8 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Eight-conductor plenum cable to combine several signals into a single run.
• 22 AWG 12 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum 300V: High-count fine-gauge cable for dense control wiring in plenums.
• 22 AWG 6 Pair Bare Copper Plenum 300V: Twelve conductors organized in pairs for balanced low-voltage control and signaling.
• 24 AWG 3 Pair Solid Bare Copper Plenum (Category 3) 300V: CMP-rated Comm Cable for control/data circuits that specify Cat 3 pair groupings.
• 24 AWG 4 Pair Bare Copper Plenum (Category 3) 300V: CMP Cat 3 four-pair construction for compatible low-speed communication and control.

Project-ready details

• UL Listings: CMP and CL3P options (as applicable by construction).
• Compliance: RoHS compliant constructions available.
• All offerings in this section are Non-Shielded Plenum.

Get more from every pull

From straightforward thermostat wiring to complex multi-zone control, Windy City Wire’s SmartWire temperature control wire lineup helps crews install cleanly and efficiently. Specify once, stock consistently, and keep projects moving with U.S.-made, low-voltage plenum control cables that perform on the job.

Solutions: Temperature Control Plenum Cables

Temperature Control Plenum Cables for Commercial and Industrial Buildings
Windy City Wire offers a comprehensive line of plenum-rated temperature control wire and cable engineered for modern building automation and HVAC control. Built for return-air plenums and other environmental air spaces, these cables support power-limited control circuits and a wide range of sensors, thermostats, and actuators used across today’s building ecosystems.

Compatible With Leading BAS and HVAC Platforms
Our plenum control cables are designed for dependable performance with major temperature control systems, including Trane, Honeywell, Alerton, Johnson Controls, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Carrier, Automated Logic, Distech, and Delta Controls. Use them for:

• Thermostats, zone controllers, and VAV/VVT boxes
• Damper and valve actuators (analog and floating)
• Space, duct, and immersion temperature sensors; humidity and CO2 sensors
• I/O wiring between field devices and controllers
• Relays, contact closures, and power-limited control circuits
• Select communications links when specified (see Comm Cable note below)

Where These Cables Are Used
Plenum temperature control wire supports a wide range of environments where life-safety and code compliance matter:

• Commercial offices and high-rise buildings
• Healthcare facilities and laboratories
• Higher education and K–12 campuses
• Hospitality, retail, and mixed-use spaces
• Data centers and technology facilities
• Industrial plants and warehouses
• Airports, government buildings, and public venues
• Multifamily and senior living communities

Construction and Ratings That Support Code Compliance
Windy City Wire temperature control plenum cables are built with bare copper conductors and easy-to-identify color-coded conductors to simplify termination and troubleshooting. The portfolio includes UL plenum listings for power-limited circuits (CL3P) and communications plenum (CMP) options where required by specification. These non-shielded designs are well-suited for low-voltage control loops and field I/O found in most temperature control wire applications.

Available Sizes, Counts, and Options
Choose the gauge and conductor count that fits the control sequence and device load:

• AWG range: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 AWG for short or longer control runs and device power needs
• Common conductor counts: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12 conductors to match single- and multi-stage equipment, economizers, and accessory control points
• Non-shielded plenum designs for typical thermostat, sensor, and actuator wiring in air-handling spaces
• Color-coded conductors help standardize zones and device types across the job

Selecting the Right Cable for the Job
Match the cable to the control function, device power draw, and distance. The guidance below reflects common practices; always follow the system manufacturer’s recommendations and local codes.

• Thermostats and heat pump controls: 18 AWG is a common choice. For multi-stage or accessory-heavy stats, 18 5 wire and 18 8 wire provide the extra conductors needed for heating, cooling, fan, reversing valve, and economizer control.
• Sensors (temperature, humidity, CO2): 22–20 AWG often meets low-current needs while keeping pulls manageable; 2 or 3 conductors are typical depending on device power and signal requirements.
• Actuators and relays: 18–16 AWG for longer runs or higher inrush; 2 or 4 conductors depending on analog, floating, or tri-state control.
• Controller I/O homeruns: Conductor count varies by point density—4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 conductors are common to consolidate multiple signals in one pull.
• Longer runs or higher loads: Consider 16 or 14 AWG to reduce voltage drop; 12 AWG is available for select power-limited circuits with higher current needs.

Lengths That Fit the Project
To help reduce waste on site and match project scale, plenum temperature control wire is available in 250 FT, 500 FT, and 1000 FT lengths.

Integration and Network Considerations
For BAS networks such as BACnet MS/TP, Modbus, or LonWorks, follow the controller manufacturer’s cabling guidelines. Many specify twisted pair communications-rated options. Windy City Wire also offers Category 3 plenum Comm Cable (CMP) within this section for legacy controls and low-speed communications runs when specified. For device-level wiring and most control loops, the non-shielded plenum temperature control wire and cable in this category delivers dependable performance in air-handling spaces.

Why Spec Windy City Wire for Plenum Control Runs

• Broad portfolio: From 12 to 24 AWG and from 2 to 12 conductors, match the exact needs of thermostats, sensors, actuators, and controller I/O.
• Code-ready: UL plenum listings (CL3P and CMP options) help meet stringent building code requirements for environmental air spaces.
• Installation efficiency: Flexible constructions and clear conductor color coding support fast, clean terminations and easier service.
• Project alignment: Multiple length options help align material to project phases and minimize leftover scrap.
• Technical support: Assistance with gauge selection, conductor counts, and application guidance across HVAC and BAS deployments.

Applications at a Glance

• Thermostat and zone control wiring for rooftop units, heat pumps, and split systems
• VAV/VVT actuator and sensor home runs in open ceilings and return plenum spaces
• Economizer controls, boiler/plant enable, and staging logic
• Controller I/O consolidation for temperature, humidity, and pressure signals
• Plenum-rated communications where Category 3 Comm Cable is specified

Get Started
Whether you are standardizing on 18 5 wire for thermostat circuits, using 18 8 wire for advanced rooftop units, or deploying higher-gauge conductors for long actuator runs, Windy City Wire has a plenum-rated temperature control wire solution to support your approach. Contact us for assistance with cable selection that aligns with your BAS specifications and local code requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions: Temperature Control Plenum Cables

• 1. What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire Temperature Control plenum cables?

  These plenum-rated SmartWire cables are available in multiple gauges: 12 AWG, 14 AWG, 16 AWG, 18 AWG, 20 AWG, 22 AWG, and 24 AWG.

• 2. What other colors are these SmartWire Temperature Control plenum cables available in?

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

• 3. Are these SmartWire Temperature Control plenum cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  These cables feature bare copper conductors. Solid constructions are available in select items (for example, 24 AWG 3 Pair Solid Bare Copper). For confirmation of solid or stranded on a specific part number, please contact Windy City Wire.

• 4. What lengths are these SmartWire Temperature Control plenum cables sold in?

  At Windy City Wire we manufacture and stock SmartWire Temperature Control cable in a 1,000 ft length as our standard. Additional options of 500 ft and 250 ft are also available depending on the specific item. FastFIND Footage Markers on the jacket make it easy to verify footage and calculate runs, and SmartWire Glide lubrication helps reduce pull friction.

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

  They are sold in boxes—our SmartWire Temperature Control Wire is packaged in our patented RackPack carton. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

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