SmartCAT Plenum

Summary: SmartCAT Plenum

SmartCAT Plenum Category Cable

SmartCAT Plenum is Windy City Wire’s plenum-rated, low-voltage Category Cable line built for commercial and industrial environments. Manufactured in the United States under our SmartWire brand, these cables are designed for reliable performance in air-handling spaces, supporting modern IP systems across enterprise networking, security, access control, building automation, AV, and PoE applications.

As a direct partner to integrators, contractors, and distributors, Windy City Wire focuses on solutions that simplify installation and help maintain consistent results across large-scale projects. SmartWire Glide Technology is the name we use for our factory-applied cable lubrication; it reduces pulling friction by up to 70% and is included at no additional cost to help crews pull faster with fewer disruptions.

Why choose SmartCAT Plenum Category Cable

• Plenum-rated performance (CMP): Suitable for use in air-return spaces and engineered for dependable signal integrity in demanding pathways.
• 22 AWG bare copper conductors: Larger copper cross-section supports PoE power delivery with lower DC resistance and robust link margins.
• 400 MHz bandwidth: Supports high-performance Ethernet and IP devices; ideal for converged building networks.
• Unshielded twisted pair (UTP): Simplifies termination and reduces material complexity where EMI exposure is controlled.
• Standard 568 pair identification: White/Blue–Blue, White/Orange–Orange, White/Green–Green, White/Brown–Brown for straightforward terminations and testing.
• Nominal OD 0.225 in: Aids conduit and tray fill planning on new builds and retrofits.
• Made in the USA: Consistent quality and availability backed by direct technical support for trade professionals.
• SmartWire Glide Technology included: Our factory-applied lubrication reduces friction during cable pulls by up to 70%.
• Customization options: Standard white jacket; custom jacket and stripe color combinations available to align with your organization’s standards. Contact Windy City Wire for details.
• Termination tools: Compatible with PTM-100028C connectors; use PTM-100061C crimp tool for efficient field terminations.

Typical applications

• Enterprise and campus Category Cable backbones in plenum spaces
• IP video surveillance, access control, and edge devices
• PoE lighting, sensors, and building automation systems
• Commercial AV control, audio transport, and collaboration environments

Available constructions

• 22 AWG 4 Pair Bare Copper Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: Non-shielded UTP with 400 MHz bandwidth for data and PoE in plenum spaces; standard 568 pair identification with a white jacket for clean, consistent installs.

How SmartCAT Plenum adds value to your next project

Choosing SmartWire SmartCAT Plenum means partnering with a manufacturer that understands the requirements of commercial installations and the needs of professional trades. Our low-voltage Category Cable combines dependable electrical performance with pull-friendly handling to streamline installation and help reduce rework. With direct support for integrators, contractors, and distributors—plus options for custom jacket and stripe colors—Windy City Wire provides a practical, purpose-built solution you can standardize on across jobs. Connect with our team to configure the right SmartWire solution for your next project.

Solutions: SmartCAT Plenum

SmartCAT Plenum Category Cable: built for commercial low-voltage performance

Windy City Wire’s SmartCAT Plenum is a commercial-grade, low-voltage Category Cable designed for demanding enterprise, industrial, and institutional environments. With 22 AWG solid bare copper conductors in a 4‑pair UTP construction and a plenum-rated CMP jacket, this cable supports high-speed data and power delivery across a broad range of building systems. Its larger copper gauge helps reduce resistance for Power over Ethernet applications while maintaining the flexibility and ease of termination integrators expect from unshielded twisted pair.

Where SmartCAT Plenum fits in your projects

• Enterprise and campus networks: Horizontal runs to work areas, consolidation points, and ceiling spaces for Ethernet-connected devices, patching to switches, and cross-connects within network closets.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems: IP cameras, wireless access points, VoIP phones, intercoms, and networked endpoints requiring reliable power and data over a single Category Cable. The 22 AWG conductors help minimize voltage drop in higher-power PoE deployments.
• Security and access control: Door controllers, intelligent readers, IP surveillance, NVR connections, and ancillary security peripherals operating over UTP infrastructure.
• Audio/Video over IP and collaboration: Encoders/decoders, AV control processors, room schedulers, digital signage players, and networked DSPs for conference rooms, classrooms, and auditoriums.
• Building automation and controls: BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP, lighting control gateways, HVAC controllers, sensors, and BMS network segments that benefit from dependable, plenum-rated Category Cable pathways.
• Smart building and IoT: Gateways, environmental sensors, occupancy and asset tracking devices, and edge controllers deployed in ceiling plenums and open office areas.
• Healthcare, education, and public sector: Patient room and nurse call endpoints on IP networks, classroom technology, surveillance, paging, and secure staff communications infrastructure.
• Hospitality and retail: POS terminals, guest Wi‑Fi, IP cameras, back-of-house networking, and digital signage extensions across large venues.
• Industrial and warehousing: PLC networking, machine vision over IP, facility cameras, scanners, and sensors routed through overhead plenum air-handling spaces.

Why plenum-rated UTP matters

• CMP plenum jacket: Suitable for installation in environmental air spaces commonly found above drop ceilings and below raised floors in commercial buildings.
• 22 AWG, 4-pair bare copper: Larger conductors support robust power delivery for PoE and help manage thermal performance in cable bundles.
• Unshielded design (UTP): Streamlines installation, simplifies termination, and integrates cleanly with standard structured cabling components. Ideal in environments where EMI is managed or minimal.
• 400 MHz bandwidth: Engineered to support data-centric building systems that demand consistent signal integrity.

Installation insights for integrators and contractors

• Termination best practices: Maintain pair twists to the point of termination, observe bend radius and pull tension guidelines, and use quality modular plugs and jacks for consistent performance.
• PoE considerations: The 22 AWG conductors help mitigate voltage drop, especially with higher-power devices or longer pathways. Consider pathway planning and bundle sizes to manage heat where high PoE density is expected.
• Compatibility: Works with common patch panels, keystones, and modular plugs designed for larger conductor Category Cable. Windy City Wire termination accessories such as PTM-100028C connectors and the PTM-100061C crimp tool help streamline field terminations.
• Testing and documentation: Certify links to project specifications and label terminations for straightforward turnover and ongoing maintenance.

Industry use cases

1. Security and life safety: From ceiling-mounted IP cameras and emergency intercoms to access control panels, SmartCAT Plenum provides a single structured medium for data and power.
2. Commercial AV: Supports AV over IP transport, control endpoints, and distribution equipment across meeting rooms, divisible spaces, and lecture halls.
3. Connected lighting: PoE lighting gateways, sensors, and controllers benefit from the cable’s lower resistance and dependable performance.
4. Operations and facilities: BMS networks, environmental monitoring, smart metering, and networked utility systems that rely on stable UTP connections in plenum spaces.

Designed for partners

Windy City Wire partners directly with integrators, contractors, and distributors. Our team can assist with takeoffs, submittals, system design considerations, and product selection to align the right Category Cable with your application and code requirements. Connect with us to discuss specifications, project timelines, and stocking strategies that keep your jobs on schedule.

Summary

• Plenum-rated UTP Category Cable built for commercial environments and air-handling spaces.
• 22 AWG, 4-pair solid bare copper conductors support data and PoE demands across building systems.
• Ideal for networking, security, AV over IP, building automation, smart building, and industrial applications.
• Streamlined installation and termination with compatible connectors and tools for repeatable results.

For help selecting SmartCAT Plenum for your next project or to align on detailed specs and compliance, contact Windy City Wire.

Frequently Asked Questions: SmartCAT Plenum

• What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire SmartCAT Plenum?

  These SmartWire SmartCAT Plenum Category Cable options use 22 AWG, 4‑pair, bare copper conductors (UTP, CMP).

• What other colors are these SmartWire SmartCAT Plenum available in?

  Available pair identification colors: White-Blue/Blue, White-Orange/Orange, White-Green/Green, White-Brown/Brown. The outer jacket is white.

• Are these SmartWire SmartCAT Plenum made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  They feature solid bare copper conductors in each of the four twisted pairs, ideal for permanent in‑wall plenum (CMP) installations.

• What lengths are these SmartWire SmartCAT Plenum cable sold in?

  Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire Category Cable in our standard 1,000 ft length.

• How is your SmartWire low-voltage Category Cable sold—on spools or in boxes?

  Our SmartWire Category Cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton to maximize labor savings as part of our complete solution. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

• What are the main differences between CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A, and CAT7 cables?

  - CAT5e: Up to 1 Gbps at 100 MHz to 100 m; common for everyday data/voice.
  - CAT6: 250 MHz; 1 Gbps to 100 m and 10 Gbps up to ~55 m; lower crosstalk than CAT5e.
  - CAT6A: 500 MHz; 10 Gbps to 100 m; better alien‑crosstalk control; preferred for new 10G, PoE, and Wi‑Fi backhaul runs.
  - CAT7: 600 MHz (CAT7A up to 1,000 MHz); typically shielded pairs and overall shield; 10 Gbps to 100 m; often uses non‑RJ45 connectors and is not part of the TIA/EIA Category Cable standard in the U.S. Most commercial installs select CAT6A for 10G over copper.

• What are some popular Category Cable colors and what do they stand for?

  Color conventions vary by organization, but common practices include:

  • Blue: General data/horizontal drops
  • White: Ceiling drops or admin use
  • Yellow: PoE devices, cameras, or security
  • Red: Critical systems, uplinks, or secure VLANs
  • Green: Cross‑connects or network management
  • Orange: Demarc/ISP handoff or interconnects
  • Purple: VoIP/telephony or AV
  • Gray: Patching or miscellaneous
  • Black: Backbone or rack‑to‑rack links
  • Brown: BAS, access control, or alarms

  Always define and document a site‑specific color code to maintain consistency across Category Cable installations.

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