Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Plenum 4-Element Shielded (Construction 3) Cables

Summary: Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Plenum 4-Element Shielded (Construction 3) Cables

Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Plenum 4-Element Shielded (Construction 3) Cables

Windy City Wire’s SmartWire® Security & Access Control composite plenum cables are built for professional integrators who need consistent performance, easier installations, and simplified material management on every doorway. These low-voltage, multi-conductor, shielded composites group the key access control circuits into a single plenum-rated cable, helping reduce conduit fill, minimize the number of pulls, and keep terminations organized at the panel and the door. Manufactured in the United States, our SmartWire cables deliver dependable signal integrity for card readers and clean power delivery for locking hardware in a wide range of commercial and industrial environments.

Each composite includes dedicated, shielded elements for common access control devices, supporting clear identification in the field and efficient troubleshooting. CMP plenum construction supports use in environmental air spaces, and stranded conductors provide the flexibility installers prefer for routing and terminations. SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication is applied to every cable jacket to reduce pulling friction by up to 70%, helping crews finish pulls faster with fewer reworks. When standardization matters across job sites, SmartWire cables can be ordered with custom jacket and stripe color combinations for easy identification of your organization’s installations.

How this SmartWire solution adds value

• One composite, four shielded elements: consolidate card reader, lock power, and associated door circuits to reduce pull time and streamline terminations.
• Shielded, plenum-rated low-voltage cable helps maintain signal integrity and meet building code requirements in return-air spaces.
• Stranded conductors support flexible routing in tight spaces and durable terminations at controllers and devices.
• SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication is standard to reduce friction during pulls and support faster, cleaner installs.
• Available lengths: 1000 ft and 500 ft to match project needs and minimize excess material.
• Custom SmartWire jacket and stripe color options available to align with your company’s standards and speed identification on site.

Typical applications

• Electronic access control doors: card readers, keypads, REX sensors, door position switches
• Locking hardware: magnetic locks, electric strikes, electrified trim and power transfers
• Commercial security systems in offices, healthcare, education, industrial facilities, and mixed-use buildings

Available constructions in this composite

1. 18 AWG 4C Stranded CMP Plenum, 300V: Commonly used for electric lock power and auxiliary door hardware circuits; overall shielding supports stable operation on longer runs and in electrically noisy areas.
2. 22 AWG 3 Pair Stranded CMP Plenum, 300V: Ideal for card reader connectivity; three color-coded pairs with overall shielding help maintain clean data signals and reduce EMI.

Additional details

• Shielding: Overall shielded elements to help reduce electromagnetic interference.
• Element color coding supports fast identification and streamlined terminations: Black/Red/White/Green; Black/Red; White/Green; Brown/Blue.
• Custom SmartWire jacket and stripe color combinations available; contact Windy City Wire for options and lead times.

Choose Windy City Wire for a dependable, low-voltage security cable solution that helps your teams work efficiently, maintain quality across projects, and support the long-term reliability your customers expect.

Solutions: Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Plenum 4-Element Shielded (Construction 3) Cables

Security & Access Control Multi‑Conductor Composite Plenum 4‑Element Shielded (Construction 3) Cables from Windy City Wire are engineered for commercial and industrial access control door openings where dependable low‑voltage performance and efficient installation matter. This composite, plenum‑rated, shielded access control cable combines dedicated power and data elements in a single pull, helping integrators reduce labor, simplify conduit fill, and standardize door wiring across facilities.

Where this cable fits in a door opening

• Electric locking hardware: electromagnetic locks, electric strikes, electrified mortise/cylindrical locks, and latch retraction devices (lock power and control).
• Credentials and readers: proximity, smart card, keypad, and multi‑tech readers carrying Wiegand or OSDP/RS‑485 signaling.
• Door monitoring and egress: door position switches, request‑to‑exit sensors, REX bars, tamper switches, and egress buttons.
• Ancillary devices: power transfer hinges/looms, ADA door operators and push plates, and door intercom endpoints that require low‑voltage power and signaling.

Systems and integrations supported

• Enterprise access control systems (single door to campus‑wide controllers).
• Intrusion detection panels requiring door contacts and REX inputs.
• Video intercom and visitor management endpoints at controlled entries.
• Elevator access control, turnstiles, and gate operators (control and monitoring circuits).
• Perimeter and parking control equipment with low‑voltage triggers.
• Building automation tie‑ins for schedules, lockdowns, and monitoring.

Industries that benefit

• Commercial offices and corporate campuses.
• Healthcare facilities, laboratories, and life sciences environments.
• Education: K‑12, colleges, and universities.
• Government and public safety buildings.
• Data centers and critical infrastructure.
• Manufacturing, industrial plants, and distribution centers.
• Hospitality, gaming, and entertainment venues.
• Retail, mixed‑use, and multi‑family properties.
• Transportation hubs, airports, and transit facilities.

Why choose a composite, plenum, shielded access control cable

• Single‑cable efficiency: combine lock power and reader/door I/O in one pull to save time, reduce conduit fill, and streamline inventory.
• Plenum safety: CMP plenum rating supports use in air‑handling spaces for code‑compliant installations per applicable electrical codes.
• Noise immunity: overall aluminum/poly shield and drain help protect low‑level signaling (Wiegand, OSDP/RS‑485) from EMI/RFI found near VFDs, motors, and elevator cores.
• Optimized conductor mix: 18 AWG stranded copper supports lock power and higher‑current door devices; 22 AWG twisted pairs support reliable data and supervised inputs.
• Clean terminations: distinct elements and color‑coded conductors help speed identification at panels, door frames, and junction boxes.
• Consistent performance: purpose‑built multi‑conductor cable minimizes crosstalk and maintains signal integrity over typical door runs.

Cable makeup at a glance

• Power element: 18/4 OAS (overall shield) for electric lock power and control circuits, helping manage current needs while maintaining noise isolation.
• Data/IO element: 22 AWG 3 twisted pairs (OAS) for reader data (Wiegand or OSDP/RS‑485), door position, REX, and tamper/supervision lines.
• Shielded construction: both elements are shielded to reduce interference and improve reliability in electrically noisy environments.
• Stranded conductors: flexibility for easier pulling, dressing, and termination at crowded door frames and control panels.
• Plenum‑rated jacket: suitable for installation in return‑air plenums and above‑ceiling spaces where CMP is required.

Common use cases by door type

• Reader + strike/lockset + DPS + REX: combine 18/4 for lock power and 22‑gauge pairs for reader and supervised inputs.
• Maglock + keypad/reader with egress: 18/4 supports maglock power and control; 22‑gauge pairs serve reader, DPI, REX, and request‑to‑exit devices.
• High‑traffic or long runs: leverage 18 AWG for minimized voltage drop to powered hardware; maintain pair twists and shielding for data integrity.

Project advantages for integrators and contractors

• Standardize door wiring across large facilities for predictable outcomes and faster commissioning.
• Reduce troubleshooting time with clear element separation for power versus data/supervision circuits.
• Improve scheduling by pulling one composite cable instead of multiple singles for each opening.
• Simplify material planning and logistics with a single low‑voltage security cable that covers most door configurations.

Ordering and deployment guidance

• Lengths available: 500 ft and 1000 ft to match project scope and reduce waste.
• Conductor mix: 18 AWG power + 22 AWG twisted pairs supports most access control doors without separate pulls.
• Shielded, plenum construction: choose for environments with EMI exposure and for plenum spaces.
• Check device requirements: confirm lock power draw and reader protocol (Wiegand or OSDP/RS‑485) and plan run lengths to manage voltage drop.
• Best practices: maintain pair twists to endpoints, separate from high‑voltage where possible, bond shields per controller guidance, and follow manufacturer wiring diagrams.

This category is designed to help security integrators deliver consistent, code‑appropriate installations across diverse facilities. By combining the right gauges, shielding, and plenum materials in one cable, you can create a repeatable door standard that keeps projects on schedule and systems performing reliably over time.

Frequently Asked Questions: Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Plenum 4-Element Shielded (Construction 3) Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Plenum 4-Element Shielded (Construction 3) Cables cable?
  18 AWG and 22 AWG conductors are included in this composite, plenum-rated, shielded cable.
• What other colors is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Plenum 4-Element Shielded (Construction 3) Cables cable available in?
  Available conductor/jacket color combinations include: Black/Red/White/Green, Black/Red, White/Green, and Brown/Blue.
• Is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Plenum 4-Element Shielded (Construction 3) Cables cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors?
  It is built with stranded copper conductors for flexibility and durability in security and access control installations.
• What length is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Plenum 4-Element Shielded (Construction 3) Cables cable sold in?
  Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire Security & Access Control cable in a standard 1,000 ft length. This item is also available in a 500 ft length.
• What are some distinctions between BACnet, RS-232, and RS-485 cables?
  
  • BACnet: A building automation protocol; when used over MS/TP it runs on a balanced, shielded twisted pair similar to RS-485. Typically specified with shielded twisted pair for noise immunity across multi-drop networks.
  • RS-232: Single-ended, point-to-point signaling for short runs (generally up to about 50 ft at standard data rates). Cables don’t require twisted pairs and are more susceptible to noise; used for device-to-device links.
  • RS-485: Differential, balanced signaling over shielded twisted pair, supporting multi-drop networks and much longer distances (up to thousands of feet depending on data rate). Requires proper termination and consistent impedance.

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