IP Cable is also referred to as EtherNet Cable.
Perhaps you’re reading up on an ‘IP Camera’ (or perhaps ‘IP POE Camera’). The IP refers to ‘Internet Protocol’ and the camera basically connects to the internet through a cable (whereas POE stands for Power Over Ethernet).
Manufacturers will often use the IP to differentiate the ones that can connect directly into an ethernet connection from those that send their signal out over a BNC coaxial cable. These two aren’t compatible (at least, without adapters).
An ethernet cable comes in a multitude of types, like CAT 5, CAT 5e, CAT 6, CAT 7, Cat 8 etc… Each cable type has different bandwidths and prices to match. We consider CAT 6 to be the best price point. They offer speeds of up to a gigabit and at a fair price. For the vast majority of people, CAT 6 is the fastest cable they’ll ever use, at least for the foreseeable future.
Whenever possible, install premises copper cabling at temperatures above freezing. The minimum recommended temperature for installing copper premises cables is -0º C (32º F). At lower temperatures the insulation and jacketing materials may stiffen, become brittle and crack. Wind chill must be considered.
Should it be necessary to install in temperatures below 32F, adhere to the following best practice guidelines.
Prior to installation, warm cables in a heated building a minimum of 24 – 48 hours.
Remove only the amount of cable which can be installed within 3 – 4 hours.
Return cables that were not installed within 4 hours to the heated building for “re-warming”.
To avoid cracking of the jacket, service coils should measure a minimum of 10 inches.
Avoid terminating cables until the building is enclosed (and heated).
Ignoring these “best practice” recommendations may result in stressing/cracking or kinking of the cable jacket, compromised electrical characteristics, and will void the manufacturers’ warranty.
Network Ethernet and Outside Plant (OSP) cables from Syston Cable Technology have a 300 volt working voltage capability when used in communication circuit applications.Communications cables, commonly referred to as low voltage cables, are not required to be marked with a voltage rating or listed as such by any listing or testing organization.Although not marked, our copper premises products have a 300-volt rating meeting the requirements of UL Standard 444, which states that wires listed as CMR or CMP are qualified for a 300-volt rating.In OSP cables, the voltage capability is purposefully omitted from the cable jacket, replaced with a telephone handset to avoid confusion in the field with high voltage power cables.
A: HDBaseT is a technology that connects entertainment systems and devices and allows the transmission of video, audio, Ethernet, control and power from one device to another on a single category 5e or 6 cable.
Cat 6A cabling may be placed unbundled or in adjacent bundles within the same pathway as Cat 5e and Cat 6 cabling without adversely affecting application performance. Cat 5e, 6 and 6A cables may also be placed in the same pathway as optical fiber and both RG-6 and RG-11 coaxial cabling. For additional information of this topic, see TIA TSB-190 Guidelines on Shared Pathways and Shared Sheaths.
A plenum ceiling is one that uses the space between the top of the suspended ceiling and the bottom of the floor above to handle air for ventilation. All suspended ceilings are not plenums; some may use HVAC ductwork to move air to returns and diffusers located in the ceiling tiles (a ‘dead’ ceiling). Consult the local code authority to confirm that a suspended ceiling is a plenum. The NEC requires the use of plenum-rated cable (or cable in EMT, rigid or intermediate metal conduit) for plenum spaces but permits general purpose-rated cable in non-air handling ceilings and walls.
However, this requirement may be superseded by local codes; for example, conduit may be required even with plenum cable. Know the local code before installing, or even ordering, the cable.
Avoid painting over any indoor telecom products. When you must paint near any telecom cabling, remember: the jacketing materials are “porous” and have little resistance to moisture; the paint could alter the flame and/or smoke characteristics of the cable; painting over them would likely obscure the flame rating designations, which are required to be printed on the jacket; and painting the cable voids the product warranty.
No, you will only need shielding when your cable is running through an area of high electro-magnetic interference or radio frequency interference (called EMI/RFI).
Briefly, Article 800.52 (A)(2) of the 2002 NEC code states “Communications wires and cables shall be separated at least 50 mm (2″) from conductors of any electric light, power, Class 1, non-power limited fire alarm, or medium power network-powered broadband communications circuits.” There are two exceptions 1) the use of specially designed and rated raceway having separate channels where “all the communications circuits are encased…” and 2) where the cables are “separated by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as porcelain tubes or flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation on the wire.” In addition to the NEC code, your installation may be subject to state, county and local codes and ordinance.
The recommended minimum bend radius for unshielded horizontal cables (6 pair or smaller) is 4 times the cable diameter.
The recommended minimum bend radius for unshielded backbone cables (greater than 6 pair) is 10 times the cable diameter. The recommended minimum bend radius for shielded backbone cables is 12 times the cable diameter.
There is a simple formula to help determine the minimum bend radius: multiply the cable Outer Diameter (OD) times 10 to obtain the minimum bend radius.
The maximum recommended pulling tension for 4/24 horizontal cables is 25 LBF and is based on the tensile strength of the copper conductors. Use of excessive force during installation may deteriorate transmission performance.
Chemicals can degrade the cable jacket material, depending on both the jacket material and the chemical. For example, a jacket made of PVDF (fluoropolymer) or nylon (polyamide) will impart specific resistance to a number of classes of chemical compounds compared to standard materials of which cables are typically made.
Yes; slack may be necessary to accommodate future cabling system changes. The recommended amount of slack is 10 feet, regardless of media, for the telecommunications closet. At the outlet, the recommended optical fiber slack is three feet, while one foot is recommended for twisted-pair cables.
Syston Cable Technology Hi-2-Lo® Ascending/Descending Footage Marking is hailed by customers as a major time and money saver as it counts down the remaining cables from 1000 feet to 0 feet, so there’s no need for a measuring tape during installation.
A: Article 800 pertains to communication circuits, voice, and data cables used for communication of video, data, or voice.
A: Article 820 pertains to coax cable used for community antenna television (CATV).
The NEC (National Electrical Code) is a highly regarded handbook resource considered the most comprehensive document on electrical safety. The NEC explains current code requirements and discusses pertinent code changes. Articles of the NEC are specific to certain wire applications.TIA is the Telecommunications Industry Association and represents the Communications sector of the Electronics Industries Alliance (EIA). TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). TIA sponsored committees prepare and write many of the standards addressing performance and compatibility testing.
More commonly referred to as attenuation, insertion loss is the loss of signal power between two points. Items that lead to signal loss are excessive cable length, temperature, humidity, and excess return loss.
Return loss is the ratio of signal power transmitted into a system to the power reflected. An echo best describes return loss. Changes in or mismatched impedance causes signal reflection.
NEXT loss is a measure of the unwanted signal coupling from a transmitter at the near-end into neighboring pairs measured at the near-end. Faintly hearing the neighbor’s conversation during your own telephone call is an example of crosstalk. In a LAN, NEXT occurs when a strong signal on one pair is picked up by an adjacent pair.
Early LAN protocols only utilized two pairs essentially rendering the other two dormant. Because NEXT is measured by one pair’s effect onto one other pair, the NEXT measurement was adequate. Now, protocols such as Gigabit Ethernet utilize all four pairs in full duplex transmission. PS NEXT addresses this by measuring the individual NEXT effects on any one pair by the other three pairs when all pairs are operating simultaneously.
Propagation delay measures the time required for a signal to propagate from one end of the circuit or pair to the other. Delay is the principal reason for distance limitations for structured cabling.
Propagation delay skew is the propagation delay difference between the slowest and fastest cable pair. Skew is important because again, Gigabit Ethernet uses all four pairs in a cable. The packet of information may be sent over multiple pairs; thus, if one pair is significantly slower than the others, it may be impossible to recombine the original signal.
Bit-Error-Rate (BER) is the ratio of incorrectly transmitted bits to all transmitted bits, over a given time period, from one active device to another. In BER testing, real sample data is transmitted over the appropriate protocol (e.g., 100BASE-T, 10GBASE-T, etc.). The BER test will show the true real-world performance of the network, inclusive of the active components. In contrast, the standard electrical tests performed on the permanent link or channel will provide performance values for the cable and passive components, exclusive of the active equipment. The parameters included in standard permanent link or channel tests include Near-End Crosstalk, Attenuation, Return Loss, Delay, etc.
The advantage of the bit error rate test is that it will show how well your cable network really performs in combination with your active equipment. It is not unusual for a marginally passing cable network to exhibit bit errors when used in combination with lower quality active equipment. The electrical margin built into better performing cable and connectivity products helps overcome such factors.
The minimum recommended bend radius for Augmented CAT 6 designs is 4 times the cable outer diameter (OD).
Yes, Cat 6 RJ-45 Connectors can fit on Cat 5e Cables, and Cat 6 Cable can be used instead of Cat 5e cables, but NOT for backward capability.
Cat 6 cable normally includes an extra plastic string core or spline placed in the middle of the twisted internal wiring. The spline acts as a separator for the twisted pairs of copper wires, which improves the cable structure and adds an extra layer of protection to reduce crosstalk. Crosstalk can be signal interference or signal noise between various pairs of wires that would affect the signal strength. That's going to be most important at high data rates.
Cat 6e is an augmented specification of Cat 6.
The Cat 6e cable was designed to offer a double transmission frequency from the 250 MHz by Cat6 to 600 MHz bandwidth. The Category 6e cable has no recognized standard by the TIA like there is for the Cat 6 and Cat 5e cables.
The Cat 6e cables offer a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps. They offer speeds at a distance of 328 feet (100 meters). With its enhanced maximum transmission speeds, frequency, and bandwidth, Cat 6e is an excellent choice for a home, office, and even data centers.
Cat8 Cable is the fastest Ethernet Cable yet. Its data transfer speed of up to 40 Gbps is four times faster than Cat6a, while its support of bandwidth up to 2 GHz (four times more than standard Cat6a bandwidth) reduces latency for superior signal quality.
You can use any category of Ethernet cable from Cat5e and higher for PoE cameras. These cables are capable of carrying IEEE Type 4 Class 8 PoE, also known as PoE++, which can provide up to 100W of power to your devices. Just make sure to choose an Ethernet cable with copper conductors, which can be either stranded or solid, to support PoE.
Syston Cable Technology's EZ-Pull™ Security, Control Sound and Alarm Cable meets the performance demands of a wide range of security, control, sound and alarm systems, including wiring burglar alarms, public address systems, intercoms, telephone stations, communications, instrumentation, access control, nurse call systems, security, and other low-voltage circuits in power-limited applications.
All of Syston Cable Technology's Security, Control Sound and Alarm Cables have NEC ratings. Cables are available in non-plenum and plenum versions. You can choose from solid or stranded conductor, shielded or unshielded, multi-conductor or twisted pair constructions. Water-blocked cable options are also part of Syston Cable Technology’s inventory. For full specifications and industry approvals, click on the product group links here.
A CL2 rating meaning that a cable has passed the required NEC test for a high rating of fire resistance. The cable’s materials are not going to burn during a sudden surge of electricity up to 150 watts and the cable itself will not carry a flame. CL2 is what we most often recommend for in-wall usage, we still recommend contacting your local code enforcement for confirmation, as this rating may be unnecessary or possibly even insufficient. This rating is most commonly found on our copper cables such as our HDMI cables, Bare Copper Wire, VGA, DVI, and Coaxial cables.
A CL3 rating is very similar to CL2 in the respects that they are both usable in-wall, and are both resistant to holding and carrying flames. The main difference between the two is the wattage that a CL3 rated cable can carry. While CL2 cables can carry a surge of up to 150 watts, and CL3 can carry twice that at 300 watts. A CL3 rated cable can take the place of any CL2, however, a CL2 cannot take the place of a CL3.
Plenum-rated cable is a cable that is suited to go in the plenum spaces of buildings such as ceilings and enclosures that are also used by the building for air distribution systems to transport air. For more information, please visit our blog Riser Cable vs Plenum Cable.
The difference between power limited cables and non-power limited cables is based on NEC compliance. Non-power limited cables is a fire alarm circuit powered by a source that complies with NEC sections 760-21 and 760-23. Power limited cables is a fire alarm circuit powered by a source that complies with section 760-41. Syston Cable Technology offers Power Limited Fire Alarm cables (300 Volts Maximum).
Syston Cable Technology manufactures two types of power-limited fire alarm cables: FPLR and FPLP.
Type FPLR power-limited fire alarm riser cable is listed as suitable for use in a vertical run in a shaft or from floor to floor. All FPLR cables are listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing fire from traveling floor to floor. Riser cables must pass both UL test 1424 and the vertical riser flame test UL 1666.
Type FPLP power-limited fire alarm plenum cable is listed by the NEC as suitable for use in ducts, plenums and other space used for environmental air. All FPLP cables are listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low smoke-producing characteristics and must pass both UL test 1424 and UL tunnel test 910.
Syston Cable Technology has combined FPL and FPLR into a single category, non-plenum. By utilizing the high-grade product (FPLR for both categories), this eliminates a category and offers the highest rating for both. The second category offered by Syston Cable Technology is the plenum rate group.
Fire alarm cables are placed into two broad categories: plenum, and non-plenum. Each corresponds to the application. Plenum cable, to be used in ducts or other enclosed air spaces, is called FPLP; non-plenum cable, to be used in applications such as surface wiring or general use wiring FPL cable, which can be used in applications that go vertically from floor to floor, FPLR. All names reflect where the fire alarm cable can be installed safely. Once you know where you will install the cable, you know in which category plenum or non-plenum, to make your selection.
In the US, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) plays an important role in standards because it publishes the National Electrical Code (NEC). This document regulates the installation of electric wiring and equipment and should definitely be considered before starting a project.
ASTM International and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) also design tests and standards for a wide variety of wire and cable, including those used for fire alarm and security applications. In Canada, CSA International does work similar to the UL in the US and can help ensure compliance with the Canadian Electrical Code. A cable with multiple listings (FPLR/CL3R/CMR) is an optimum choice.
There are many safety precautions such as voltage, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, etc., that should be considered in choosing any kind of electrical cable, including fire alarm and security control cables. However, there are some notable fire-related safety precautions to consider as well. First is the fire resistance of the cable (i.e. will it burn and/or how long will it burn?) Another is smoke propagation (i.e. how much will it give off if it comes in contact with fire?). These considerations should be made when choosing any type of electrical cable, but they are especially important in the case of fire alarm and security control cable, which must function in emergency situations and under extreme conditions.
Most safety concerns (including these fire-related ones) are regulated by the UL, NEC, and other standards organizations and guidelines. The NEC outlines acceptable limits for burning and smoke emissions while the UL and other organizations are responsible for the development of various flame tests cables must pass in order to be considered safe for use.
Listing | Protection Level |
FPL | Good fire and smoke protection |
FPLR | Better fire and smoke protection |
FPLP | Best fire and smoke protection |
All installations must follow guidelines established by the National Electric Code (NEC). Below are some basic practices to remember when installing power-limited fire alarm systems. For a more in-depth review of requirements and installation guidelines, refer to the NEC.
Addressable fire alarm systems using advanced electronics allow the fire alarm panel to communicate with each base individually using a sophisticated polling process. In some instances, more than 100 devices can be located on a single pair of wires. Due to this need for faster and clearer signal transfer, the capacitance of the cable has become a concern.
LVT Thermostat Wire (Low Voltage Thermostat) has a thick insulation and is rated to 300-Volt. It is also classified as a Class-3 (CL3) Power-Limited Circuit Cable. CL3 cables can carry a surge of up to 300 watts, while CL2 can only carry a surge of up to 150 watts. A CL3-rated cable can take the place of any CL2, however, a CL2 cannot take the place of a CL3.
Thermostat Wire (LVT) has versatile applications including all kinds of HVAC situations, wiring low voltage heating and air conditioning controls, bell and annunciator systems, and other low-voltage applications.
Station Z Wire is used for low-voltage applications, remote controls, intercom, drop wire, service wire, service entrance cable to a telephone set, computer system interface, security and alarm systems, indoor/outdoor communication systems, signal applications in residential and commercial applications, and other low-voltage circuits in power-limited applications.
Syston Cable Technology’s Station Z Wire has a thick SRPVC (Semi-Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride) insulation and is rated to 300-Volt. It is also classified as a Class-3 (CL3) Power-Limited Circuit Cable. CL3 cables can carry a surge of up to 300 watts, while CL2 can only carry a surge of up to 150 watts. A CL3-rated cable can take the place of any CL2, however, a CL2 cannot take the place of a CL3.
This cable can be FT4 or FT6 or Direct Burial rated, REACH and RoHS Compliant.
Yes, our Non-Plenum series cable has sunlight resistant, UV protection. Plenum has its own rating.
All cables are available on 1,000 foot premium black plastic ribbed spools or premium wooden spools. Other packages such as Reel-In-Box or poly-bagged coil packs and smaller quantities are available upon request. All packaging is tangle free.
Syston Cable Technology Fire Alarm and Security Control cables are offered with a one year Warranty.
A. The scope of this article includes such systems/circuits for burglar alarms, access control, audio, nurse calls, and intercoms. It can also include some computer network systems, some control circuits for lighting dimmer systems, and some low voltage control circuits that originate from listed appliance or from listed computer equipment.
A: Article 760 pertains to fire cables used for fire alarms.
(NEC) National Electric Code Definitions:
Dry Locations: A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under construction.
Damp Locations: Locations protected from weather and not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such locations include partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderated degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some cold storage buildings.
Wet Locations: Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed to weather.
Yes, Shielded cable can replace unshielded cable.
Shielded cables are more expensive and unwieldy than unshielded cables, but they offer increased protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can slow down or disable electrical systems. Unshielded cables are easier to install and maintain, but are not protected from EMI.
Some applications do not require shielded cables. For example, if a cable will be used in a cabinet or away from other sources of noise, it does not need to be shielded, as it will be protected from noise and EMI.
You cannot mix shielded and unshielded components of a cable system. If shielded cabling is used, it must be shielded from end-to-end and grounded at least on both ends.
Yes. Using larger gauge AWG wire offers you more flexibility in how your electrical system is laid out. Your electrician can add more outlets when your wiring has increased current potential. Larger wiring can sometimes be installed in risky areas where small wiring is not recommended.
Yes, Our 18/4 Shielded Wire is an excellent choice for those looking for a cable suitable for use with Stepper Motors, CNC Machines, NEMA Motors, VFD Spindles, CNC Routers, and 3D Printers. With 18 AWG 4 Conductors, Stranded Pure Copper Conductors, our cable ensures more stable current transmission. The overall shielding also effectively reduces interference, resulting in superior performance for CNC spindle motors and stepper motor drivers.
Our cable is built to withstand the high demands of CNC machines and 3D printers. It is designed to be both resilient and flexible, allowing for smooth bending in your CNC or 3D printer chain. Additionally, the four-conductor wire is shielded, minimizing interference, and ensuring higher quality performance for your 3D printer, CNC machine, or CNC controller.
Our cable is compatible with all stepper motors, including Nema 17 Stepper Motor, Nema 23 Stepper Motor, Stepper Driver, and more. Whether you're upgrading a CNC Kit, CNC Router Kit, or CNC Stepper Motor Kit, our cable is a perfect fit.
Choosing high-quality cable is essential for CNC router machines, as cables run at high speeds in drag chains while conducting electricity, making them vulnerable to high temperatures. Poor-quality cables can quickly burn, causing damage to the machine, workshop, and factory. Therefore, it's essential to use high-quality flexible cable wires for CNC machines.
Our cable wires feature abrasion resistance, flame resistance, and anti-ultraviolet properties. They are made using environmentally friendly high-strength PVC, making them more wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and fire-retardant. For more information, please refer to our product pages: 5717 (Riser Rated) and 5718 (Plenum Rated).
Copper Outside Plant (OSP) cables from Syston Cable Technology have a 300 volt working voltage capability when used in communication circuit applications.
Communications cables, commonly referred to as low voltage cables, are not required to be marked with a voltage rating or listed as such by any listing or testing organization.
Although not marked, our copper communication cable products have a 300-volt rating meeting the requirements of UL Standard 444, which states that wires listed as CMR or CMP are qualified for a 300-volt rating.
In OSP cables, the voltage capability is purposefully omitted from the cable jacket, replaced with a telephone handset to avoid confusion in the field with high voltage power cables.
As a rule of thumb, make sure the diameter of your duct is at least 1.15 times greater than the diameter of your cable, or one-half trade size larger in diameter than the diameter of the cable you plan to install.
When using pulling eyes, the diameter over the pulling eye becomes the most critical element to sizing conduit.
You can estimate the diameter over the pulling eye (de) to be: de < 1.1 x dc (dc equals the cable diameter). Keep in mind that multiple runs, grade changes and multiple bends can reduce the usable space.
ANSI/TIA/EIA-758, Customer-Owned Outside Plant Telecommunications Cabling Standard, requires the use of a minimum 4 inch conduit.
The current designs and materials utilized in the manufacture of Syston Cable Technology filled OSP copper cables, including our OSP (CAT 5e and CAT 6) designs, are suitable for use at temperatures of -40° C.
Excellent cold temperature performance is often taken for granted by users of Syston Cable Technology cable products. Industry standards specify cold performance at -20° C, which is well above the low temperature in many parts of the Northern states and Canada. A cable that merely meets industry standards would manifest itself in extreme temperatures as a jacket/insulation crack or a voltage failure, both of which could result in service problems.
When installing self-supporting copper cables, determine the storm loading district where the installation will take place. Storm Loading districts are defined in the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) for the continental United States, but may be further defined by state and/or local codes and ordinances.
Once identified, the loading district along with the product / pair count and AWG can be used to access guidelines for span lengths, sag and tension data.
Chemicals can degrade the cable jacket material, depending on both the jacket material and the chemical. For example, a jacket made of PVDF (fluoropolymer) or nylon (polyamide) will impart specific resistance to a number of classes of chemical compounds compared to standard materials of which cables are typically made.
This response addresses “noise” as indicated by test set measurements and primarily related to power influence. Keep in mind that moisture or water is absolutely the major cause of noise audible to the customer. Conductor deterioration from water in a cable, water on the faceplate of a terminal or condensation causing current flow between two splice connectors will cause noise. Water is public enemy number one when it comes to copper cables. That is why we go to the lengths that we do to fill, flood, encapsulate and generally seal the cables from water intrusion.
The primary cause of noise is proximity to electrical power cables. Proximity does not mean that the power and communications cables are touching. High voltage transmission lines can and do induce fields at great distances from their physical location. Transformers and some electrical equipment can generate “noise” in an improperly grounded cable. The electrical fields generated by these power cables induce unwanted harmonics into the cable that manifests itself in what is commonly referred to as “noise”.
The metallic shield of a cable, when properly grounded at each end, effectively cancels the effect of the power induced noise. In conjunction with surge protection devices it helps to protect the cable, associated terminals and customer equipment from damage caused by voltage surges as would be caused by lightening.
Other sources of noise are loose conductor splice connectors, improperly terminated conductors, loose or improperly installed shield bond connectors, proximity to a radio station transmitter. By code, communication cables, power neutrals, and metallic water pipes should have a common ground potential when all are present in a residence or commercial building. This is a safety measure as well as a “noise” prevention issue.
The recommended minimum bend radius for corrugated single shield tape designs is 12 times the cable diameter.
The recommended minimum bend radius for corrugated dual shield tape designs is 15 times the cable diameter.
The recommended minimum bend radius for flat, single, shield tape designs is 15 times the cable diameter.
The standard alligator-type bonding clamps are commonly referred to as cable bonding and grounding connectors or shield bond connectors. Throughout much of the telephone industry they are also called “B Bond Clamps” and are found in sizes 1, 2, or 3. They may be used for grounding both aerial and underground OSP cables and the clamp size is determined by the cable diameter. When selecting a shield bond connector the type of shield must be taken into consideration. There are three shield configurations currently being deployed.
Type one addresses the bare shield (aluminum, bronze, etc.) which is easily separated from the jacketing. With bare shield tapes, the shield bond connector attaches directly to the shielding without involvement of the jacket.
Type two addresses the coated shield which does not bond to the jacket. Designs which utilize coated shield tapes which do not bond to the jacket can be treated in a manner identical to the bare shield with one important consideration – the bond connector must have “prongs” which penetrate the coating and make contact with the underlying shield material.
Type three addresses the coated shield which “bonds” to the jacket. Designs which utilize coated shield tapes which “bond” to the jacket require a clamp which makes a sandwich of the jacket and coated shield. Clamps used for this design require prongs which penetrate the coating and attach securely. For these designs, there is no need to separate the shield from the jacket.
Manufacturers of these clamps include 3M, Electric Motion, Preformed Line Products and ABB Installation Products (formerly Thomas and Betts), and most if not all can be used in all three of the circumstances described above. The clamps are available from your cable distributor.
Outside plant cables are not rated for UL CMR or CMP listing and when used inside buildings the National Electrical Code* requires the cable be placed inside metal conduit (NEC article 800-50, exception 2). In addition to NEC regulations, special state, county and local building/fire codes may apply when engineering projects utilizing this type of cable.
The NEC allows OSP cable to be extended from the outside a maximum of 50 feet to allow a termination to be made.
The recommended minimum bend radius for corrugated single shield tape designs is 12 times the cable diameter.
The recommended minimum bend radius for corrugated dual shield tape designs is 15 times the cable diameter.
The recommended minimum bend radius for flat, single, shield tape designs is 15 times the cable diameter.
The Syston Cable Technology OSP (Outside Plant) copper cables have a 300 volt working voltage capability when used in communication circuit applications.
Communications cables are not formally voltage rated or listed as such by any listing or testing organization. OSP designs are manufactured to industry specifications that require, without failure, voltage testing between conductors and between the conductors and shield. This information is included in the electrical specification portion of each products catalog sheet.
Outside plant (OSP) copper cables are designed based on a life expectancy of 30 years. Raw materials and finished cables are tested using life-cycle test procedures. OSP cable designs are available with many shielding options to accommodate a variety of installation environments. Choosing the appropriate shielding system for your environment will provide the greatest chance for 30+ years of trouble free service.
Standard gel-filled OSP copper cables are designed for water-prone areas, but for applications that require the cable to be under significant water pressure (e.g., ponds, lakes or rivers) we recommend additional mechanical protection for the cables. By specifying one or two additional steel shields along with an additional over-jacket, the cable can be used for water depths of 40 feet or more.
Syston Cable Technology also recommends that the span under water be no longer than one reel length so that the length of the cable under water does not require splices or a connection point close to the water edges.
Even with the added protection of additional steel armoring, caution must be taken during placement of the cable to protect it from external hazards such as rocks, boat anchors and boat propellers. This can be accomplished by placing the cable in a conduit. The added protection of steel armoring, plus a conduit, offers the maximum protection for short underwater crossings.
The cable should be placed and secured at the bottom of the body of water, to prevent the cable from floating to the surface.
To ensure safe operation, install cables according to all applicable local and national electrical codes. During installation, take precautions to ensure any water present in the pathway does not enter the open end of cable. Water infiltration via the open ends of the cable will negatively impact cable performance and void any applicable product warranty.
Yes, Syston Cable Technology manufactures 100% RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant products. These cables can be easily identified by the appearance of a RoHS logo located near the standards compliance box of our print and online product specification sheets.
The Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives are aimed at reducing the hazardous materials content in electronic products as well as increasing the recycling efforts for these products and became effective July 1, 2006. RoHS specifically bans or restricts the use of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDE).
To obtain a stand-alone documents for a specific part number(s), contact our inside sales manager. He or she can provide the documentation.
If you have other questions concerning RoHS compliant cables manufactured by Syston Cable Technology, please call Technical Support at 888.679.7866 or via email at info@systoncable.com.
Syston Cable Technology believes in identifying, building and nurturing long term distributor partnerships. We seek well run, established and properly resourced distributor partners that want to grow their business as much as we want to grow ours. Our partnerships begins with our portfolio of high performance cable products with the most competitive price and our well known brands, and continue with an array of support materials and programs to insure our distributor partners are successful in their respective marketplaces.
If you or your company is up for the challenge, and the rewards that come with being a distributor partner, please take a few minutes to complete the application form below and click the SUBMIT button at the bottom. Upon review, we will contact you to complete the application process. All applications are reviewed within 48 hours.
