Temperature Control - TAC Cables

Summary: Temperature Control - TAC Cables

Temperature Control – TAC Cables

Windy City Wire supplies low-voltage temperature control wire and cable for dependable building automation and HVAC control performance. Our TAC cables are designed for control loops, sensors, actuators, and data trunks used in BACnet (Bacnet) and other RS-485/RS-232 networks. Each construction is built as SmartWire®, manufactured in the United States, and developed to help installers complete Temp Control projects efficiently, safely, and to code.

• Purpose-built for controls: Options for both power/control runs and data communications help you match cable construction to the application, whether you are pulling a thermostat loop or a BACnet MS/TP trunk.
• Easier, cleaner pulls: SmartWire Glide Technology lubrication is applied during manufacturing and can reduce pulling friction by up to 70%, supporting faster installs and smoother cable handling.
• Measure and manage footage on the fly: FastFIND Footage Markers appear every two feet to simplify point-to-point measurements, make remaining length easy to track, and help reduce waste by an estimated 15–25%.
• Meets critical plenum requirements: All TAC constructions listed here are UL Listed C(UL)US CMP for use in air-handling spaces, and they are RoHS compliant.
• Clear identification: Black/White conductor color coding supports quick terminations and consistent field identification. Custom jacket and stripe colors are available to standardize your installations across sites.

How to choose the right Temp Control cable

• Thermostat circuits, relays, and general control: A non-shielded, two-conductor plenum construction delivers reliable power/control signaling in plenum environments.
• BACnet MS/TP and other RS-485/RS-232 data: A shielded, low-capacitance, 1-pair plenum construction helps maintain signal integrity and reduce noise in networked control systems.

Available constructions

• 18 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: Non-shielded construction with Black/White color code for thermostat loops, relays, and general temperature control runs in plenum spaces. UL Listed C(UL)US CMP and RoHS compliant.
• 24 AWG 1 Pair Tinned Copper Shielded Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: O/A foil shield and low-capacitance design support RS-485/RS-232 communication lines, including BACnet MS/TP, in plenum environments.

At-a-glance category options

• Available AWGs: 18, 24
• Available Shielding: Non-Shielded, Shielded
• Conductor Color Code: Black/White
• Compliance: UL Listed C(UL)US CMP, RoHS
• Customization: Ask about SmartWire jacket and stripe color options to align with your standards.

Why SmartWire TAC cables for your next project

Choosing Windy City Wire means you get consistent, low-voltage products and solutions that are practical in the field and backed by knowledgeable support. SmartWire TAC cables emphasize code compliance and installer productivity—SmartWire Glide Technology helps speed up pulls, while FastFIND Footage Markers help you plan, track, and use more of every cable run. With U.S. manufacturing, plenum-rated options, and shielded or non-shielded constructions, our temperature control wire selection aligns with the needs of modern HVAC and building automation—so you can specify once and install with confidence.

Summary: Value for your Temp Control builds

• Low-voltage temperature control wire and cable options for power/control and data communications in plenum spaces.
• SmartWire features that support faster pulls, accurate footage management, and reduced material waste.
• UL Listed C(UL)US CMP and RoHS constructions to meet common specification and code requirements.
• Shielded and non-shielded choices, in 18 AWG and 24 AWG, to match application needs from thermostat runs to BACnet trunks.
• Custom jacket and stripe color options to standardize and streamline identification across sites.

Solutions: Temperature Control - TAC Cables

Temperature Control – TAC Cables

Windy City Wire’s Temperature Control – TAC Cables are engineered for dependable performance across building automation and HVAC control applications. Whether you are wiring thermostats, controllers, sensors, or communication trunks, our temperature control wire and cable delivers stable signaling and long-term reliability for modern BAS. Use this category when you need trusted temperature control wire for Trane, Honeywell, Alerton, and other leading platforms.

Built for today’s BAS and HVAC ecosystems

• Compatible with major temperature control systems and controllers, including Trane, Honeywell, Alerton, Johnson Controls, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Automated Logic, Delta Controls, Distech, and more.
• Supports common protocols and interfaces used in Temp Control networks: BACnet MS/TP (Bacnet), Modbus, and RS-485/RS-232 signal links.
• Optimized for low-voltage circuits in air-handling spaces and commercial plenum installations that require code-compliant materials.

Where TAC cables excel

• Thermostats, zone controllers, and terminal units (VAV, FPB)
• Damper and valve actuators, relays, and 24 VAC control circuits
• Temperature, humidity, pressure, and CO2 sensors
• Controller communication trunks (BACnet MS/TP, Modbus over RS-485)
• Air handlers, rooftops, fan coils, heat pumps, chillers, and boilers
• VFD interfaces and equipment monitoring points within BAS

Cable options in this category

This section offers multiple gauge and shielding choices so you can match the cable to the circuit requirement:

• 18 AWG, 2-conductor, non-shielded plenum – A dependable choice for 24 VAC control power and low-voltage signaling to actuators, thermostats, and relays. The larger gauge helps manage voltage drop on longer runs and supports solid terminations. Black/White conductor identification simplifies installation and service.
• 24 AWG, 1 pair, shielded plenum (low capacitance) – Well-suited for RS-485 communication trunks used by BACnet MS/TP and Modbus. The overall foil shield helps reject electrical noise near VFDs and mechanical equipment, while low capacitance supports signal integrity over extended distances. Tinned copper conductors ensure stable connections and corrosion resistance in typical building environments.

Shielding options include Non-Shielded and Shielded constructions. Select shielded cable for data or when running near sources of interference; use non-shielded for straightforward control circuits with minimal electrical noise.

Safety and compliance

• UL Listed C(UL)US CMP plenum rating supports code compliance in return-air plenums and other demanding commercial spaces
• RoHS compliance supports environmental and material-content requirements

Industries and facilities that rely on TAC cables

• Commercial offices and corporate campuses
• Healthcare and medical facilities
• Higher education, K–12, and research labs
• Data centers and mission-critical facilities
• Industrial manufacturing and process environments
• Warehousing, cold storage, and logistics hubs
• Hospitality, entertainment, and sports venues
• Retail, mixed-use, and multi-family properties
• Government buildings, public safety, and transportation infrastructure

Integration guidance for BAS professionals

• Selecting the right conductor size – Use 18 AWG 2-conductor for power/control to actuators and thermostats; choose 24 AWG 1-pair for controller-to-controller data lines.
• Protocol and topology – For BACnet MS/TP or Modbus RS-485 trunks, specify the 24 AWG, shielded, low-capacitance pair to help maintain network stability across multi-drop segments.
• Noise mitigation – Use shielded cable when routing near VFDs, generators, or elevator equipment. Maintain recommended separation from power feeders and follow proper grounding practices.
• Run length and voltage drop – On long 24 VAC runs to field devices, favor 18 AWG to reduce voltage drop and ensure actuator performance.
• Labeling and documentation – Clear identification of home runs, device drops, and network segments saves commissioning time and reduces callbacks. Windy City Wire’s SmartWire solution can help streamline organization and troubleshooting across large Temp Control deployments.

Quick selection checklist

1. If powering actuators, thermostats, or relays: choose 18 AWG 2-conductor, non-shielded.
2. If connecting controllers over RS-485 for BACnet MS/TP or Modbus: choose 24 AWG, 1-pair, shielded, low-capacitance.
3. If installing near electrical noise sources: prefer shielded constructions and observe grounding best practices.
4. If the run is long or the device is load-sensitive: consider the 18 AWG option to mitigate voltage drop.

Why contractors and integrators choose Windy City Wire

• Purpose-built temperature control wire and cable that supports key BAS protocols and leading OEM platforms
• Consistent, code-compliant performance for plenum spaces with UL C(UL)US CMP listings
• Options for both control power and data trunks to simplify planning, installation, and commissioning

From small tenant build-outs to campus-wide BAS upgrades, our Temperature Control – TAC Cables help ensure reliable communication and control. If you need assistance matching a cable to a specific controller, device, or Bacnet network, our team can help you select the right construction for your application.

Frequently Asked Questions: Temperature Control - TAC Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire Temperature Control TAC cables?

  18 AWG and 24 AWG options are available, with your choice of shielded or non-shielded constructions.

• What other colors are these SmartWire Temperature Control TAC cables available in?

  It is available in a Black/White conductor color code. Custom SmartWire jacket and stripe colors can be made to order—contact Windy City Wire to discuss your standards.

• Are these SmartWire Temperature Control TAC cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  These SmartWire TAC cables are constructed with flexible, stranded copper conductors; configurations include bare copper (18 AWG) and tinned copper (24 AWG) options.

• What lengths are tjese SmartWire Temperature Control TAC cables sold in?

  At Windy City Wire we manufacture and stock SmartWire Temperature Control wire in 1,000 ft length as our standard length.

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

  Our SmartWire Temperature Control wire is packaged in our patented RackPack carton for maximum efficiency and labor savings. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

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