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Fire Alarm Cable Ratings

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One of the most essential factors to consider when purchasing a fire alarm cable is the fire rating. There are three key fire safety ratings to consider: FPL, FPLR, and FPLP. While NEC Article 760 explains what a power-limited cable is. The fire alarm cable is tested and certified by UL, which specifies its applications and fire safety requirements.

FPL — FPL cable is ideal for general-purpose applications but should not be installed in air ducts, plenum spaces, riser closets, or any other place where environmental airflow occurs. These cables are fire resistant and have passed both the UL 1424 and the vertical flame test 1581.

FPLR — Riser-rated fire alarm wire is suited for vertical runs in elevator shafts as well as floor-to-floor paths. These cables feature fire-resistant properties, such as the capacity to self-extinguish and emit little harmful smoke. They keep the fire from spreading from floor to floor. Riser cables need to pass the UL 1424 and 1666 vertical riser tests.

FPLP – Plenum-rated fire alarm wire is intended for use in plenum spaces, air ducts, and other places with high ambient airflow. When burned, they self-extinguish and produce a minimal amount of hazardous chemicals and smoke. These cables are UL 1424 and Steiner tunnel test 910 compliant.

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75 Ohm Flexible RG59 Cable

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RG59 cable is a precision broadcast video RG59 cable for low-bandwidth, low-frequency (below 50 MHz) applications, including analog video, RF and video surveillance.

With an impedance of 75 Ohms, the RG59 cable features a solid 20 AWG bare copper conductor, gas-injected foam HDPE insulation and Dufoil shielding with a tinned copper braid. It’s also offered in eight different colors for identification purposes.

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The differences between RG6 and RG11 cables

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The differences between RG6 and RG11 cables

The differences between RG6 and RG11 cables
When choosing the right coaxial cable to wire-up an AV system, we frequently come across the RG6 and RG11 cables designations. RG Coaxial Cables are extensively utilized in Telecom projects as well as daily civil applications. RG Coaxial Cables include various types in which the most common model are RG6, RG11, and RG9 Coaxial Cables. How different are these three types? It will be explained below.

What are RG coaxial cables?

RG Coaxial cables are the kind of coaxial cables utilized for efficient transmission solutions for Telecom systems that include Satellite communication, Marine, Mobile communication, the AM, FM, Inbuilding, and Radar Communication systems, video, and more.

Are RG11 and RG6 different?

RG6 Coaxial Cables are applied for Baseband near signal transmission distance, frequently used as a cable branch to transmit observing camera data and connect Indoor Television Equipment.

RG11 Coaxial Cables are utilized for Wide Broadband with considerable signal transmission distance, generally used as the main cable line in transmitting observing camera data, Cable Television, etc.

RG59 Flexible Coaxial Cables: With the feature of intertwined multi – small fibers that make the fibers flexible; consequently, this is a variety of Coaxial Cables that is mainly utilized for observing cameras in elevators, generally used for the analog camera.

RG11 and RG6 Coaxial Cables have similar applications and functions, but they are not the same, and some differences have to be considered before picking one over the other.

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How many different types of Fire Alarm Cable are available?

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There are five basic types of Fire Alarm Cable that are identifiable by the areas where they are approved for use by the National Electric Code.

FPL— Power Limited for general purposes. This designation indicates that this fire alarm cable is non-plenum rated, and may not be installed in risers, ducts, plenums, or other spaces used for environmental air unless first installed in conduit. Although FPL cables resist the spread of fire, they are not typically as fire-resistant as plenum and riser-rated cables.

FPLR— Power Limited Suitable for the floor to floor, or “riser-rated.” Risers are the spaces that run vertically from floor to floor in a building. The National Electric Code requires FPLR cable to be fire-resistant to prevent fires from spreading through multiple floors of a building.

FPLP— Power Limited Suitable for use in ducts, plenums, and other spaces dedicated to air circulation because of the extra safety features incorporated into its design. This Cable is plenum-rated, fire-resistant, and produces little smoke in the case of a fire.

NPLF— Non-Power Limited for general purpose.

NPLFP— Non-Power Limited Suitable for use in ducts, plenums, and other spaces.

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A Guide to the Different Types of Coaxial Cables

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Coaxial cables are a type of transmission cable used to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals. They generally consist of four layers—the inner conductor layer, the inner conductor insulating layer, the conductive shield layer, and the insulating outer jacket layer. This shielded design enables signal carrying voltage to flow through the central conductor with minimal interference from outside electrical and/or magnetic fields.

There are many types of coaxial cables available—varying in design and size—to suit different applications. One of the key design elements by which coaxial cables can be categorized is connector type—i.e., the mechanism that connects the cable to other devices. Below, we highlight the several common types of coaxial cable, based on connector, as well as their typical applications.

BNC

Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) coaxial cable connectors are one of the most commonly used connector types. They feature a twist and snap bayonet connection design that requires a quarter-turn to form a connection.

TNC

Threaded Neill-Concelman (TNC) connectors are a miniature threaded variation of BNC connectors. However, they are waterproof and more rugged.

SMA

Subminiature Version A (SMA) connectors are 50 Ω connectors. They are available in several formats, including male vs. female, straight-through vs. right-angled, and more.

7/16 DIN

7/16 DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) connectors have a threaded design. They are typically used for high-wattage transmissions.

QMA

QMA connectors are similar to SMA connectors. However, they have a snap-lock design that allows for faster and easier connection/disconnection and 360° rotational capabilities after connection that allows for better installation flexibility.

MCX

Micro coaxial (MCX) connectors are small form-factor connectors. They are designed for use in applications with size or space limitations.

RCA

Radio Corporation of America (RCA) connectors are also known as cinch connectors. They typically feature three color-coded jacks and plugs (Red, Yellow, and White).

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Security Alarm Cable Explained & Explored

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The need for security equipment is ever-present in today’s world, however, the actual equipment is only as good as the cable that it’s wired up with. If the cables fail, so does the equipment. It’s imperative then, that high-quality security alarm cable is used.

Cores

Firstly, you must consider how many cores you require. This, of course, all depends again, on the application, the type and number of devices on the system (you may have multiple sounders, keypads etc.), the length of the security alarm cable run and so on.

Our security alarm cable is available in a range of different cores, including 4,6,8 and 12. If you are unsure about what you need, we are here to help.

Screening

The second consideration you must think about is whether to opt for screened or unscreened cable. Essentially, the difference is that screened cable has an extra layer, which reduces electromagnetic interference. This is important in an industrial application, where lots of cable and equipment may be in close proximity to each other, resulting in crosstalk. However, in a domestic setting, this may not be as vital a consideration.

Protection

Next, it’s worth thinking about where the cable will go, be it simply external or underground. External cable is sometimes referred to as duct grade and features a heftier jacket to protect the inner cable from the elements, as well as causing the whole cable to be sturdier. Cable designed for interior use will simply deteriorate if used in an outside setting, making it faulty and dangerous.

Likewise, cable that runs underground in trenches is usually referred to as direct burial cable. This cable does what it says on the tin, and is suitable to be buried without any additional containment. Our direct burial cable is also crush resistant, for an added level of protection.

Safety

Next, you will need to think about safety. In the event of a fire, it’s actually the smoke that’s the most dangerous aspect – think of a domestic fire and the inhalation of the fumes can cause serious damage.

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Network CT100 Cable Tester

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CT100 cable is available in singlecore and twin versions in a variety of sheath colours, and is one of the UK’s most popular coaxial cables for TV and Satellite installations.

Application

CT100 cable comes in both singlecore and multicore variants, and is ideal for many different applications, including low power video, video signal and broadband signals. It can also be used in many different high-frequency transmissions, especially for transmitters and receivers, computers, radio and TV transmitters.

Description

CT100 cable consists of a 1.00mm bare copper conductor, cellular polyethylene dielectric, AL-PET shield, copper clad aluminium braid and is sheathed overall in PVC. Our CT100 cable is also available in a twin (shotgun) variant.

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What type of alarm cable is used for fire alarm systems?

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FPL (Fire Power Limited) Fire Alarm Cable is non-plenum rated for use in general purpose fire alarm installation.

FPLP (Fire Power Limited Plenum) Plenum Fire Alarm Cable is used in horizontal overhead installations such as, duct work or other space that is used for the flow of environmental air. FPLP- Shielded includes an aluminum polyester foil shield and drain wire to block additional interference within the cable.

FPLR (Fire Power Limited Riser) Riser Cable to be used in applications that go vertically from floor to floor or in a shaft. FPLR- Shielded includes an aluminum polyester foil shield and drain wire to protect against outside interference.

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Comparison of SFTP CAT6 vs CAT6A cabling

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SFTP CAT6

SFTP CAT6 cabling provides many advantages and benefits over CAT5E cabling infrastructure. When SFTP CAT6 was first introduced it was approximately 50% more expensive than CAT5E, which made it cost prohibitive for many installations. However, SFTP CAT6 costs have reduced substantially over a number of years to the point where costs are almost on par. SFTP CAT6 provides greater bandwidth over CAT5E and allows for higher data transfer rates. Therefore, SFTP CAT6 has now become the minimum standard for new cabling installations. As well as being able to easily support 1 Gbps network speeds, SFTP CAT6 can also support higher data rates of 10Gbps. However, 10Gbps is only supported over shorter distances of 37-55 metres.

SFTP CAT6A

SFTP CAT6A is capable of supporting data transfer rates of up to 10Gbps at a maximum bandwidth of 500MHz. SFTP CAT6A has additional and tighter twists, with additional insulation to reduce crosstalk. SFTP CAT6A is also backwards compatible with SFTP CAT6 and CAT5E, however, speeds are always limited and will perform to the lowest category cable or connector that is installed in the link. SFTP CAT6A is fast becoming the most cost effective solution as it is seen as a future-proof cable system. SFTP CAT6A components are used in Class EA networks as defined in ISO/IEC 11801 and TIA/EIA 568.

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The differences between RG6, RG11 and RG59

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RG6 cables are used for Base band with near signal transmission distance, often used as a cable branch to transmit observing camera data and connect Indoor Television Equipment.

RG11 cables are used for Wide Broadband with far signal transmission distance, often used as a main cable line in transmitting observing camera data, Cable Television, etc.

RG59 Flexible Cables: With the feature of intertwined multi – small fibers which makes the fibers flexible; therefore, this is a type of cables which is mainly used for observing camera in elevators, normally used for analog camera.

RG6 and RG11 cables have the same applications used with different distance. So, what makes them different?

RG6 has higher attenuation level; RG11 cable has lower attenuation level.

RG6 can transmit signals in a higher frequency range than RG6.

Because RG11 cable has lower attenuation level, it can transmit in a father distance: RG6 can transmit signal in a distance of 600m, RG11 cable can transmit in a distance of 1,100m.

The weak point of RG11 cable is high price because bigger thickness of cable fibers and conductor wire make the cost of materials higher. That’s the reason why RG11 cable is more expensive than RG6.

Another weak point of RG11 cable is lack of flexibility which is caused by the thickness of fibers. RG11 cables are not able to bend so much with different angles, so RG11 cable is often used as a main line in connecting two points in a far distance.