Everything You Need To Know About Plenum Cables
Wondering whether you need a plenum cable for your building? This guide by Nassau National Cable helps you get more knowledge about this unique cable subtype.
What is a plenum space, and why does it need a specific cable?
A plenum cable is a cable used in plenum spaces of the building. A plenum space, in this regard, is a part of the building that exists for air circulation, including air conditioning and ventilation. Most of the time, it is the space between the primary and the secondary ceiling.
A special type of cable for plenum spaces exists for a simple purpose: to minimize the damage caused by fires in the building and to prevent the fire from spreading into plenum spaces as it is a very dangerous and uncontrollable zone for fire to occur. Plenum cables are specifically designed for these spaces: they do not need a lot of space to install, which allows for the air circulation to continue as usual.
Plenum cables are rated under National Fire Protection Association standard NFPA 90A, which means that the materials they are made of meet all necessary precautions for fire safety. To qualify as a plenum cable, the cable has to meet the Ul standard.
The construction of a plenum cable
The insulation and the jacket of plenum cables are made of low-smoke and low-flame materials, which supports their status as fire-safe cables. Fluorinated Ethylene Polymer (FEP) and Teflon (TFPE) are the two types of insulations perfect for this role commonly found in modern plenum cables.
What about plenum in conduit?
One of the frequently asked questions when it comes to plenum cables is whether they should be placed in conduit. The answer is that they are not, and this is an either/or situation. Plenum cables do not need a conduit, but there are plenum-rated conduits on the market. If you use one of those, there is no need for the cable inside to qualify as a plenum one. However, these conduits tend to be more expensive than plenum cables, so the latter seems like a better choice.
LSZH vs. Plenum
Plenum cables and cables with low-smoke zero-halogen properties often get confused. Note that LSZH low-smoke zero-halogen cables have a similar purpose to plenum cables because they slow down the fire and the smoke that comes from it. However, LSZH cables are different from the plenum, their insulation is made from a different material, and they do not fall under the definition of a plenum cable laid out in NFPA 90A. What makes LSZH cables similar to plenum ones is that they can be used for similar purposes of preventing the fire from spreading, just not in plenum spaces.
Plenum or Non-Plenum?
Plenum cables are considerably more expensive than non-plenum cables used for similar purposes in the building, but the price is definitely worth it because the safety of the building is ensured in the long term. Business owners can choose to use non-plenum cables with PVC insulation in the plenum spaces of their building, but they definitely do so at their own risk. If a fire is to happen in the building, plenum cables are the ones to offer protection.
Where to Buy?
Nassau National Cable offers a wide collection of fire alarm plenum and non-plenum cables at some of the best prices in the industry. These are high-quality cables by top manufacturers that meet and exceed all standards that exist for plenum cables. In addition to fire alarm cables, the company also sells communication cables that meet plenum standards. In addition, you can choose plenum cables from some of the top wire and cable US brands, such as Corning, Alpha Wire, and Belden. All plenum cables sold at the platform are certified by UL and NFPA 90A.
