Download fire alarm cable

FIRE ALARM CABLE
Objectives
By end of this module you should able to:
• Know What Really Matters in Selecting the RIGHT
Fire Alarm Cable…
• Identify the application.
• Know your cable ratings and where will the cable be installed.
• Fire alarm cable requirements – NEC Article 760
• Cable substitutions
• Understand the type of system - EMI & RFI sensitivity.
•
Identify the CCI Fire Alarm Cable Needed
• Plenum, Riser or General Purpose
• Shielded or Unshielded
• Determine the CCI part# for your application
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Identify the Application
• Fire Alarms
• Fire Detection &
Alarm Notification
• Guard’s Tour
• Sprinkler Water Flow or
Sprinkler Supervisory Systems
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Fire Alarm Cables
•
NEC Article 760 (Fire Alarm Systems)
• Applies to the installation of wiring & equipment of the fire alarm systems
including all circuits controlled and power by the fire alarm system.
•
Ratings
• FPLP – (Plenum Rated) For use within buildings in ducts, plenums or
other environmental air spaces.
• FPLR – (Riser Rated) For use in within buildings in vertical shafts
• FPL - General use in buildings
KNOW YOUR LOCAL AND NATIONAL
ELECTRICAL CODES!
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Article 760 Cable Substitutions
Cable Substitution Hierarchy
• Type CM –
Communications wire & cable
• Type FPL –
Power-limited fire alarm cable
• Cable A shall be permitted to
be used in place of B
• For example, a CMR cable
can be substituted for a FPLR
cable, but a FPLR cable
can not be substituted for a
CMR cable.
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Plenum vs. Riser
• Plenum
• Plenum spaces are defined as any space used as a return
passage for environmental air.
• The wiring is not required to go through conduit – (unless Chicago or New York)
• Fire resistant and low smoke producing characteristics
• “Non-Plenum” does not necessarily mean “Riser,” some low-end products
are also not riser.
Floor
Structural Support
Plenum Air Handling Space
Air Supply Duct
Suspended Ceiling
Plenum Cables
Air Return
Riser (or Plenum) Cable
Access Shaft
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
FPLP – Plenum Rated
• For use in Plenums, ducts, or other environmental spaces
• Anywhere a building cavity is used as air return
• The wiring is not required to go through conduit (unless Chicago/New York)
• Fire resistant, low smoke producing
• Most preventative in spread of fire from floor to floor
• Most commonly used in commercial installations
• Low flame spread, low smoke producing characteristics
• FPLP rated cables can be used in general purpose, riser or
plenum applications
• Using riser rated cables in plenum applications is prohibited
• Must meet NEC Article 760
• Must pass UL test 1424 and UL tunnel test 910
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Type of System
Is the system microprocessor based and therefore
sensitive to EMI and RFI?
• If the system is computer based, signal interference will be a concern…
• SHIELDED cables will protect the circuits from this outside interference
and keep the signal constant.
If EMI and RFI are not a concern…
• UNSHIELDED cable are suitable.
***For compatibility verification of the cable type,
refer to the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations.
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Shielded vs. Unshielded
• Shielded Cables
• Offers excellent protection against RFI & EMI
• RFI – Radio Frequency Interference
(such as cell phones, radio towers or garage door openers)
• EMI – Electro Magnetic Interference
(caused by electric motors, ballasts, & other high voltage currents)
• Shielded cables should be used when installing near dimmer panels,
light switches, in parallel runs, near neon or fluorescent lights and near
power cables
• Unshielded Cables
• Cost effective for areas where interference (EMI) is not a concern
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Cabled vs. Straight Lay
• Cabled
•
•
•
•
Reduces crosstalk interference from other signals (inside or outside the cable)
Also referred to as “twisted” cables
Most commonly used in fire alarm systems
The majority of CCI products are cabled to cover a wide range of
applications and prevent having to stock/manage duplicate sku’s
• Straight Lay
• Cost effective for areas where interference is not a concern
• Also referred to as “parallel” cables
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Stranded vs. Solid
• Solid
•
•
•
•
•
Industry standard for most fire alarm cable
Easier to terminate
Easier to solder
Lower cost
Less attenuation / signal loss
• Stranded
• More flexible
• Reduces potential conductor breakage
from repeated flexing
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Distance & Capacitance
Distance cable will run
• Voltage drop should be calculated or refer to equipment
manufacturer’s recommendations
• Knowing the distance the cable will run also helps identify
the right gauge size cable to select.
• Larger gauge for longer runs
Capacitance
• The capacity of the insulation to hold an electric charge
• Often, lower capacitance (Picofarrads/foot = pF/ft) translates to a
higher performance cable
• May need to meet requirements for specific hardware systems.
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Fire Alarm Cable Requirements
All installations must follow guidelines established by the
National Electric Code. 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 Code Book.
1. All cables must be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Lab (UL, ETL, CSA, etc). Check all cables for
the proper markings. Refer to NEC Article 760.
2. Comply with local wiring requirements.
3. Only use conductors made of copper.
4. Test wiring for grounds, short circuits, and open faults before the system is placed in operation.
5. Always use the proper gauge of wire to avoid signal loss.
6. Avoid interference when routing wire.
7. Installation shall be made to prevent the spread of fire from floor to floor.
8. A minimum of 6 inches of free conductor is required in each electrical box to facilitate termination.
9. All wiring must be terminated with listed devices.
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Fire Alarm Cable Construction
INSULATION
SHIELDING
JACKET
• PVC
Aluminum Backed Mylar
• Plenum cables are
constructed with low-smoke PVC
• Tubed or Extruded Jacket
LEGEND
Footmarking
DRAIN WIRE
Included on all shielded
constructions, used to
ground the shield.
• PVC
• Polypropylene
These 4 must appear on all cables Nationally
Recognized Testing Lab Standard
Mfg.
Part# Size
Conductors
Listing Mfg. ID
Agency
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NEC Rating
Mfg Date
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Why Signal for Fire Alarm?
• Brand Recognition
•
•
Coleman Cable’s
brand
Leader in Security, Sound and Fire industries for more than 20 years
• Manufacturing Capabilities
•
Coleman Cable’s Electronic Cables are produced in our ISO 9001:2000
Certified facilities
• Product Differentiation
•
•
•
•
•
Dual Rated
Polypropylene Insulation
Rip cord for ease of stripping
Sequential footage marking to eliminate guess work
Rabbit Pull – High Speed Dispensing System
• Market Position
•
Strength/Position with Electrical Contractors and Security Installers
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FIRE ALARM CABLE
Congratulations!
Congratulations! You should able to:
• Know what really matters in selecting the RIGHT fire
alarm cable.
• Identify the CCI fire alarm cable needed
• Select the CCI part# needed for your application
Coleman Cable, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved.
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