Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Multiconductor Composite Cable| Non Plenum Cables

Summary: Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Multiconductor Composite Cable| Non Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Cable | Non‑Plenum

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire® low-voltage composite multi-conductor cables designed for commercial security and access control systems. Built in the United States and engineered for reliable terminations and clean pulls, these composite cables streamline door openings by combining power and signal under one jacket, reducing conduit fills and installation time across card readers, mag locks, strikes, and door hardware.

Choosing SmartWire helps teams standardize on a single, proven product family for security cable across projects. SmartWire cables feature FastFIND Footage Markers for quick length verification and planning, and come with SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication to reduce pulling friction by up to 70%, supporting efficient, damage‑free installs in conduit and raceway. Color- and stripe‑coded jackets aid identification in the field, and custom jacket/stripe colors are available to align with your organization’s standards.

Why security contractors choose Windy City Wire for access control cable

• Low-voltage, non-plenum composite constructions suited for door hardware power, reader data, REX, and contact circuits.
• Available AWGs: 18 AWG and 22 AWG to cover power and signal needs at the opening.
• Shielding options: unshielded (UNS) and overall foil shield (OAS), with configurations available with or without drain wire (OAS/UNS or OAS/UNS/WBT) for noise mitigation near motors, ballasts, and elevators.
• Lengths: 1,000 FT standard, with 500 FT options available for service work and smaller jobs.
• FastFIND Footage Markers appear every two feet to confirm received footage, estimate remaining length, and reduce waste by 15–25% through better cut planning.
• SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication is applied during manufacturing, clings to the jacket, and is not visible or greasy to the touch—reducing friction and pull tension while protecting cable integrity.
• Broad jacket and stripe color options, plus custom colors by request, to simplify cable identification per site or customer standards.

Typical applications

• Access control: card readers, door position switches, request-to-exit devices, controllers
• Locking hardware: mag locks, electric strikes, power transfer, relays
• General security controls and low-voltage signaling

Customer value at a glance

• Consolidate multiple runs into a single composite for faster rough‑in and termination at each opening.
• Use shielding where needed to control interference and maintain reader/data performance.
• Plan pulls with precise, every‑two‑foot footage markers to cut accurately and reduce scrap.
• Pull more smoothly and with fewer callbacks due to jacket wear or conductor damage.

Available constructions

• 18 AWG 4C UNS STR PVC Low-Voltage: Non‑plenum, unshielded composite power/control cable with Gray jacket and Purple stripe, color code Black/Red/White/Green. Ideal for lock power, strikes, relays, and auxiliary power where shielding is not required.
• 22 AWG 3P OAS STR PVC Low-Voltage: Non‑plenum, overall foil shielded signal cable with Gray jacket and Yellow stripe; pair color code Black/Red, White/Green, Brown/Blue. Suited for card readers and low‑level data/control circuits that benefit from a common shield to reduce noise.

Conductor color codes included in this category

• Black/Red/White/Green
• Black/Red, White/Green, Brown/Blue
• Black/Red

What to expect from SmartWire® on your next project

• All products are low-voltage and purpose‑built for commercial security and access control installations.
• SmartWire cables include FastFIND Footage Markers for quick measurements and inventory visibility.
• SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication is standard on stock items at no additional cost.
• Customization available for jacket and stripe colors to support standardized deployments.

Specify Windy City Wire for your security cable needs to simplify openings, control labor hours, and maintain consistent quality across facilities. Our SmartWire low-voltage composite cables help integrators deliver clean installations with dependable performance for access control systems.

Solutions: Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Multiconductor Composite Cable| Non Plenum Cables

Security & Access Control Multi‑Conductor Composite Cable | Non‑Plenum

Windy City Wire composite multiconductor access control cable is built for professional security integrators who need reliable, code‑appropriate low‑voltage cable for doors, gates, turnstiles, and managed entry points. These non‑plenum cables bring power and data together in a single pull, helping reduce conduit fill, speed installation, and support consistent system performance across complex facilities.

Purpose‑built composite design for door security
A typical opening requires both power for locking hardware and separate signal circuits for readers and door sensors. This composite construction combines:

• An 18 AWG power element suited for electrified locks, maglocks, and strikes.
• A 22 AWG multi‑pair, foil‑shielded element for card reader communications and door I/O such as OSDP, Wiegand, REX, and door position switches.

This approach minimizes pulls and terminations while maintaining clear separation between higher‑current lock power and low‑level signal circuits. Stranded copper and flexible PVC jackets support door movement at hinges, power transfers, and wire loops.

Where non‑plenum composite cable fits best
Use in non‑air‑handling spaces and pathways where non‑plenum cable is permitted by code, including surface raceway, conduit, cable tray, and riser spaces (as allowed by the Authority Having Jurisdiction). Always verify local code and pathway ratings for the specific project.

Shielding options for clean signals

• OAS/UNS: Overall aluminum shield (with drain) for reader and control pairs plus unshielded power. This helps mitigate EMI from motors, elevators, and high‑voltage runs while keeping lock power simple and cost‑effective.
• OAS/UNS/WBT: Adds water‑blocking technology for extra protection when pathways may encounter moisture or condensation.

Shielded reader pairs help maintain data integrity for OSDP and Wiegand, reduce crosstalk, and support longer, more stable runs.

Lengths available

• Offered in 1000 FT and 500 FT put‑ups to match project size, service calls, and phased rollouts.

Applications and systems

• Door access control: card readers, keypads, request‑to‑exit (REX), door position switches (DPS), and interlocks.
• Electrified locking hardware: electric strikes, magnetic locks, mortise/cylindrical locksets, and power transfer hinges.
• Turnstiles and gates: pedestrian entries, parking arms, and vehicle barriers.
• Perimeter and site access: gate controllers, card readers, and keypad pedestals.
• Elevator access control: car readers, floor relay control, and override inputs (per platform requirements).
• Intrusion and alarm integration: panel inputs/outputs, door zones, siren/strobe triggers, and arming stations.
• Video and intercom entry: door release power plus control and trigger circuits alongside intercom station wiring.

Industries served

• Corporate and multi‑tenant commercial buildings
• Education (K‑12, higher education, campus security)
• Healthcare and life sciences
• Industrial, manufacturing, and logistics/warehouse facilities
• Retail and hospitality
• Financial and data centers
• Government, municipal, and critical infrastructure
• Transportation hubs and parking facilities
• Mixed‑use and multi‑family common areas

Integration with leading platforms
This composite access control cable is suitable for common controller and reader technologies used in modern security system integration, including:

• OSDP and Wiegand reader wiring with shielded pairs
• Power distribution and lock control from access control panels and intelligent power supplies
• Inputs/outputs for alarm panels, interlocks, door position, and REX
• System ties to video management, visitor management, and building management systems

Specification highlights that support installation

• Composite conductors sized for the task: 18 AWG power for 12/24 VDC locking hardware and 22 AWG signal pairs for readers and sensors help manage voltage drop and signal integrity across typical door runs.
• Color‑coded conductors: Distinct conductor colors aid quick identification, faster terminations, and cleaner documentation.
• Stranded construction: Improves flexibility and durability for doors in constant motion.
• PVC jacket: Designed for everyday commercial environments and standard low‑voltage pathways.

Installation best practices

• Plan runs so the 18 AWG power element serves the lock device and the 22 AWG shielded pairs handle reader and control signals.
• Terminate shields per manufacturer guidance (often at the panel end only) to reduce ground loops for OSDP/Wiegand.
• Observe separation from high‑voltage and noisy circuits; use metallic conduit or dedicated pathways where feasible.
• Calculate voltage drop for lock power based on length and current draw to ensure proper device operation.
• Select WBT water‑blocking when pathways may be exposed to moisture.
• Confirm non‑plenum suitability with the AHJ for each pathway; choose plenum‑rated alternatives where required.

How to choose

• Shielding: Use OAS for data integrity in electrically noisy environments; choose WBT if moisture is a concern.
• AWG mix: Leverage the built‑in 18 AWG for lock power and 22 AWG pairs for readers/door I/O to keep pulls organized and code‑compliant.
• Length: Match 1000 FT or 500 FT put‑ups to the project scope to reduce waste and manage inventory.

This composite multiconductor access control cable helps standardize door wiring, improve labor efficiency, and maintain consistent performance across large deployments. It supports a wide range of security cable needs—from card reader cable to maglock and electric strike power—providing a practical, low‑voltage solution for commercial and industrial environments.

Frequently Asked Questions: Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Multiconductor Composite Cable| Non Plenum Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Multiconductor Composite Cable| Non Plenum Cables cable? 18 AWG and 22 AWG are included within this composite SmartWire® construction.
• What other colors is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Multiconductor Composite Cable| Non Plenum Cables cable available in? Black/Red/White/Green; Black/Red; White/Green; Brown/Blue. Custom jacket and stripe color combinations are also available—contact Windy City Wire for details.
• Is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Multiconductor Composite Cable| Non Plenum Cables cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors? Stranded copper conductors.
• What length is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Multiconductor Composite Cable| Non Plenum Cables cable sold in? Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire Security & Access Control cable in a standard 1,000 ft length. Select items are also available in 500 ft.
• What are some distinctions between BAC NET, RS232 and RS485 Cables? RS-232 is single-ended, point-to-point, and best for short runs (typically up to about 50–100 ft), using a few conductors (TX/RX/GND). RS-485 is balanced, differential, supports multi-drop networks, and allows long distances (often up to 4,000 ft) over a 120-ohm shielded twisted pair with proper termination and biasing. BACnet is a building automation protocol that can run over several physical layers; BACnet MS/TP commonly uses RS-485 cabling (120-ohm shielded twisted pair), while BACnet/IP uses Ethernet. Always follow the device manufacturer’s cabling recommendations for best performance.

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