Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS232/485 Non-Plenum Cables

Summary: Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS232/485 Non-Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS‑232/485 Non‑Plenum Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire low‑voltage cable designed for dependable building automation, security, and access control communication. Our non‑plenum BACnet MS/TP (BAC NET™), RS‑485, and RS‑232 cables are built for commercial and industrial environments where consistent signal performance, clear identification, and long‑term reliability matter. With tinned copper conductors and shielded constructions, these products support stable data transmission for controllers, readers, power‑limited control circuits, and networked devices found throughout modern facilities.

SmartWire is made in the United States and engineered for the way integrators and electrical contractors actually install cable. Standard SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied to the jacket to reduce pulling friction by up to 70%, helping crews navigate conduits and crowded pathways with less effort and fewer re‑pulls. For organizations that standardize by color, SmartWire offers extensive jacket and stripe color options, plus easy-to-identify Black/White conductor color coding to streamline terminations and polarity management. All SmartWire cables in this category are RoHS compliant and built for non‑plenum use where Type CM or CL3/CM ratings are specified.

Choose Windy City Wire when you want low‑voltage security and access control cable that supports clean signaling, minimizes noise, and helps reduce installation time. Our products and solutions are built to meet the demands of B2B projects—from tenant improvements to large‑scale building automation upgrades—so you can deliver consistent results on every job.

• Built for BACnet, RS‑485, and RS‑232 – Stable communication for building automation systems, access control panels, door controllers, and peripheral devices.
• Shielded performance – O/A foil shielding helps reduce EMI/RFI in electrically noisy commercial and industrial spaces.
• Tinned copper conductors – Corrosion resistance and reliable terminations over the life of the installation.
• Low‑voltage, non‑plenum – UL Subject 444 Type CM and CL3/CM options for general‑purpose pathways.
• SmartWire Glide lubrication – Standard jacket lubrication that reduces friction up to 70% to aid pulls through conduit and dense pathways; not visible or oily to the touch.
• Color identification – Black/White conductor color code for straightforward wiring consistency; custom jacket and stripe colors available to align with your standards.
• Compliance – UL and c(UL) listings; RoHS compliant.

Typical applications

• BACnet MS/TP building automation trunks and device drops
• RS‑485/RS‑232 connections for controllers, readers, and sensors
• Access control panels, door hardware interfaces, and power‑limited control circuits
• Commercial, industrial, healthcare, education, and enterprise facilities

Available constructions

• 24 AWG 1 Pair Tinned Copper Polymer Insulation Type CM: Shielded non‑plenum, low‑capacitance communications pair for BACnet MS/TP and RS‑485/RS‑232 in building automation and security networks. O/A foil shield helps control EMI and maintain data integrity in commercial environments.
• 18 AWG 1 Pair Tinned Copper Polymer Insulation Type CL3/CM: Shielded non‑plenum pair for access control and power‑limited control circuits where a heavier gauge is required. O/A foil shield supports clean signaling over longer runs and helps reduce interference near motors, lighting circuits, and elevators.

Why this matters for your next project

• Reliable signal quality supports fewer callbacks and avoids costly downtime.
• Shielded, tinned copper construction helps maintain performance in electrically busy spaces.
• SmartWire Glide lubrication and clear conductor identification support faster installs and easier service.
• Custom jacket and stripe colors help standardize your organization’s installations across sites and teams.

Ready to specify low‑voltage Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS‑232/485 non‑plenum cable for your commercial project? Contact Windy City Wire to discuss SmartWire products and solutions that align with your system requirements, installation preferences, and site standards.

Solutions: Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS232/485 Non-Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS‑232/RS‑485 Non‑Plenum Cables for Commercial and Industrial Projects

Windy City Wire supplies shielded, 1‑pair, low‑voltage cable built for BACnet MS/TP and serial communications commonly used across access control, security, and building automation networks. Designed for commercial and industrial environments, these non‑plenum cables deliver stable data transmission for controllers, field devices, and integrated systems that rely on RS‑485 and select RS‑232 links. With tinned copper conductors, foil shielding, and consistent construction, they help integrators achieve reliable connectivity from the headend to remote devices while meeting industry standards such as UL Type CM and CL3 and maintaining RoHS compliance.

Where these cables fit in your system architecture

• BACnet MS/TP and other RS‑485 building automation networks
  Connect supervisory controllers, field panels, VAV controllers, VFDs, chillers, boilers, and sensors on BACnet MS/TP. The shielded twisted pair design helps maintain signal integrity across typical RS‑485 multi‑drop topologies.
• Access control communications
  Support RS‑485 device buses between intelligent door controllers, downstream I/O boards, elevator interface modules, distributed power/control panels, and other security subsystem links where a shielded 1‑pair access control cable is specified.
• Security and surveillance integrations
  Use as an RS‑485 control path for PTZ camera control (e.g., Pelco protocols), encoder/decoder links, and certain intrusion expansion buses that specify shielded twisted pair for data.
• Lighting and energy management
  Provide the RS‑485 backbone for lighting control processors, scene controllers, networked relays, submeters, and demand‑response hardware that communicate over serial data links.
• Industrial control and utilities
  Run Modbus RTU and other RS‑485 serial protocols between PLCs, drives, pumps, and process control instrumentation in manufacturing plants, water/wastewater, and utility sites.
• Critical facilities and IT infrastructure
  Tie together BMS integration points for data centers, hospitals, and labs, including UPS, generator, CRAC/CRAH, and power monitoring devices that expose RS‑485/serial interfaces.
• Transportation, logistics, and campus security
  Network gate controllers, parking systems, kiosks, and distributed access points across large footprints while maintaining consistent performance and noise rejection.

Why spec these non‑plenum RS‑232/RS‑485 cables

• Engineered for signal integrity
  A shielded twisted pair with overall foil (O/A) and tinned copper conductors helps reduce EMI/RFI and crosstalk on noisy jobsites and near motors, VFDs, or power distribution equipment. The construction supports the stable, differential signaling that RS‑485 requires and can serve select RS‑232 links where a shield/drain reference is acceptable.
• Two conductor size options
  Available in 24 AWG and 18 AWG. Choose 24 AWG for typical BACnet MS/TP and short‑to‑moderate runs where compact size is preferred. Select 18 AWG when runs are longer, environments are electrically noisy, or when the specification calls for a heavier gauge to support margin on serial networks.
• Commercial ratings and compliance
  Non‑plenum UL Type CM and CL3 listings support use in general‑purpose spaces for Class 2/3 control circuits where permitted by code. RoHS compliance aligns with corporate environmental and procurement requirements.
• Installer‑friendly identification
  A high‑visibility orange outer jacket aids route identification, while the black/white pair coloration simplifies terminations and reduces punch‑down errors at panels and devices.
• Compact pull and bend characteristics
  A small nominal outside diameter makes routing through conduit and crowded trays easier, supporting cleaner panel builds and faster rough‑in on fast‑track projects.

Applications by system

• Access Control: Controller‑to‑door interface modules, downstream RS‑485 device buses, distributed I/O, and elevator control communications.
• Security: PTZ camera control loops, encoder/decoder links, and compatible serial expansion buses for detection and perimeter systems.
• Building Automation: BACnet MS/TP trunks for HVAC equipment, VFDs, and environmental controls; serial links to power monitoring and metering.
• Industrial Automation: Modbus RTU between PLCs and field devices, motor drives, and process instrumentation where shielded twisted pair is required.
• Energy and Lighting Controls: Serial control paths for relay panels, lighting processors, and energy dashboards requiring RS‑485 cable.

Industries we serve

• Commercial real estate and corporate campuses
• Healthcare, labs, and life sciences
• Education and government facilities
• Manufacturing, utilities, and water/wastewater
• Retail, hospitality, entertainment venues
• Transportation hubs, warehousing, and logistics
• Data centers and mission‑critical sites

Key selection guidance

• Choose the right gauge: 24 AWG suits most BACnet and short to moderate RS‑485 segments. Use 18 AWG when the specification calls for it, or when longer distances and higher noise environments demand added margin.
• Plan for grounding and shielding: Properly terminate the foil shield/drain to the recommended reference point to maximize common‑mode noise rejection on RS‑485 networks.
• Maintain data‑grade pathways: Route away from high‑voltage lines and variable‑frequency drives where possible. Use metallic raceway or separation as required by code and best practice.
• Match the space rating: These are non‑plenum cables (UL CM/CL3). For air‑handling spaces that require plenum, select an appropriate plenum‑rated alternative to meet local codes.
• Follow device vendor specs: Confirm baud rate, topology, termination, and biasing recommendations for BACnet MS/TP and RS‑485/RS‑232 devices to ensure consistent commissioning.

How installers and facility teams benefit

• Shielded twisted pair construction supports clean, consistent RS‑485 communication across long multi‑drop segments.
• Tinned copper conductors provide reliable terminations and help resist corrosion in challenging environments.
• Orange jacket and black/white pair coloration streamline identification, testing, and documentation across large jobs.
• When paired with SmartWire process controls on the job, teams can standardize routing and identification practices across control panels and device drops, helping reduce rework and accelerate closeout.

Specifications at a glance

• Construction: Shielded, 1‑pair, tinned copper conductors
• Available gauges: 24 AWG and 18 AWG
• Shield: Overall foil for EMI/RFI noise rejection
• Ratings: Non‑plenum UL Type CM and CL3 (C(UL) as applicable)
• Compliance: RoHS
• Identification: Orange outer jacket; black/white pair coloration

Whether you are building out a new BACnet MS/TP trunk, extending an RS‑485 access control bus, or standardizing serial communications across plants and campuses, Windy City Wire’s shielded, non‑plenum 1‑pair cables provide the consistency, ratings, and performance that commercial and industrial projects demand.

Frequently Asked Questions: Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS232/485 Non-Plenum Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS232/485 Non-Plenum Cables cable?

  This SmartWire cable is available in 24 AWG and 18 AWG tinned copper constructions.

• What other colors is this SmartWire Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS232/485 Non-Plenum Cables cable available in?

  The standard conductor color code offered is Black/White. SmartWire can also be made with custom jacket and stripe color combinations to match your organization’s standards—contact Windy City Wire for customization options.

• Is this SmartWire Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS232/485 Non-Plenum Cables cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  These non-plenum cables use stranded tinned copper conductors for flexibility and durability in security, access control, and building automation installations.

• What length is this SmartWire Security & Access Control BAC NET™ | RS232/485 Non-Plenum Cables cable sold in?

  Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire Security & Access Control cable in a 1,000 ft length as our standard.

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

  BAC NET™ (commonly BACnet MS/TP in this context) is a building automation protocol that typically runs over an RS-485 physical layer, so cables are twisted, shielded pairs optimized for low capacitance and noise rejection on multi-drop networks. RS-232 is a single-ended, point-to-point serial interface for short distances; it generally requires fewer conductors and is not suited for long runs or multi-drop. RS-485 is a balanced, differential serial interface that supports longer distances and multi-drop (bus) topologies; it benefits from shielded twisted pair construction and is commonly used for BACnet MS/TP and other control networks.

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