Riser vs Plenum Cabling Explained

By: Brian Rhodes, Published on Apr 18, 2019

You could be spending twice as much for cable as you need. The difference between 'plenum' rated cable and 'riser' rated cable is subtle, but the cost difference is big.

What is the proper use for each type, and how can you avoid costly mistakes? We look at the differences between 'plenum' and 'riser' types, and why not knowing the difference could be costing you big.

*** ***** ** ******** twice ** **** *** cable ** *** ****. The ********** ******* '******' rated ***** *** '*****' rated ***** ** ******, but *** **** ********** is ***.

**** ** *** ****** use *** **** ****, and *** *** *** avoid ****** ********? ** look ** *** *********** between '******' *** '*****' types, *** *** *** knowing *** ********** ***** be ******* *** ***.

[***************]

Flammability ********

*** ********** ******* ***** riser ** ****** (***/***) cable *** ****-***** ***** is ***** ** *** jacket ***********. ******, ******* ***-**** ***** jackets *** ********* *** can ******** **** ***** in * ******** ****, providing ** ****** *** flame ** ****** *************** ********. ********** ** ******-**** areas **** ******** ****** or ******** ******, *** velocity ** *** ****** in *** ***** *** turn * ******* **** a *************. *** ***** jacket ****** ******** **** fuel *** ******* *** a ****.

** ********, ***** (***) and ****** (***) ****** are ******** *********** **** fire-resistant materials **** ****-********** *****, or *** *** *********, to **** *** ******** fire ***********. **** ** run ** ****-********** **************** ******** ****** ** in ******, ***** ******** do *** ********** ** a ****'* ******.

Plenum ** *****

** **********, ****** ******* have **** ********* **** rating **** ***** *******. The *** ******** ****** to ******* *** ****** rating ** **** ********* than ******** ** ***** products:

***: *** ****** ******, *** additive '*********** ******** *******' *** * **** high ******* ***** (***° F). ** *******, ** remains ******** ****** ** lower ************ ** **** and ****** **** ***-***** cable, *** *** *********** electrical ********** **********.
****: *** ***** ******, jacket ******** ******** ** *********** ********* ************* * ****** ******* point **** '*******' *** (usually 250 °*), *** ** less ********* **** *** as * *** ********.** **** *** **** insulating ********** ****** *** Datacom *****.

Cost **********

*** ********* **** ********** in ***** ********* *** be ***** *****. ******** the ***** ** ***-***** vs ***** ******* ** almost ****** ****** *%, the **** ******* ***** (CMR) *** ****** (***) can****** ****** ** ****:

When ** *** ****

**** ********** ***** *** security ********, ** *** be ****** *** ******** to ******** ** ********* 'Plenum ***** **********'. ***** plenum ******* ***** *** most ********* ************ ** cabling ** * ********, many ********** *** ** reduce **** ** ********* inventory ** **** ****** *** rated *****.

** *** ***** ****, some **** ******* ** architects ***** ******* ****** by ******* ** ***** the ******** ** ******** specification ** ** '***** themselves' ** **** **** a ******.

*******, ** **** *****, cost *** ** ******* by ***** *** ******* cable **** *** *** job. ** ********* ****** where **** **** *** be **** *****:

***** (***) *****

**** ***** ****** ******* two ******, ** ********* is *** ******* * hole ** * ******** conduit ** * ******** spot. **** **** ** called * '***** *****' and ** ******* ******* in * ******, ** a **** *********** '***** closet' **** ********* ****** also ****** ******* ******. Since *** ***** ******* is ******, *****, *** typically **** *** **** a **** ******** *******, the ***** ******* ******* this ***** **** *** need ** **** ****** 'plenum' **************:

****** (***) *****

**** ***** ******* ******* rooms ** ****** ****** HVAC ********, ** ****** be ****** *****. ******* ducts *** ***** *** shortest ******** ******* *** points, ***** ** ****** inside ** ** *** outside ******* ** *** duct.

*******, ******** ** ******* perception, *** *** ***** above * **** ******* is *** ****** ******. In **** *****, **** is * ****** ********** if **** *** ***** is *** ** ****** part ** *** **** air **** *******.

***** *** ** ***** more *********** **** ***, it *** ** **** in *** ***** ** riser ******* ** *** expense ** ****** *****.

******** *****

** ***** ******* ******* in * ****** *****, nor ******* ******, ** requires ** ******* ******:

*******, ***** ************ *** apply, **** ******* ****** protected ** *******, ***** trays, ** **** *****. Running ****** *********** **** ceiling *****, ********** ** high-voltage *******, ** ** areas ******* ** *** are ***** ****** ********, but ** ******* ************ rating *******.

****** **************'*

** * ******* ***, using *** ***** ** is *** ******** ******** take ********, ***** ********* off *** ****** ****. If * ** **** non-rated ***** *** ***** ~$3.50 ** *****, ********** using *** *** **** than ****** ***** ** ~$7.60.

*******

** *******, ****** ***** should ** **** ****:

******* **** ** ** on ********:**** **** ***** *** 'if ** ******* ******, it **** ** ****** rated', ** **** ****** run ******* * **** run **** ** *** rated.
******* **** **** ** active ******** ********: **** ** ***** overhead **** *****, ** still *** ** ** exchange ****** ******-********. ** ******** ********** into************* ** ******* *****, it ****** ** *** active. *******, ** ***** furnace ***** ** ****** vents *** *******, *** space ****** ******** *** cable.
******* ******* ******: *** *** ** used ** ***** ** CMR ** ******.

*******, ***** ****** *** used ** *** ******* application:

******* ******* ******: ****** ******* ** or **** ** ******** floors ****** ** *** rated, *** *** ******* designated ******** ** *****.

***** ***** ***** *** be **** ** '******* purpose' *** ***-***** ******, it ****** ** **** in ****** ************, *** tends ** ** ****** higher **** ***** *********. Utility *** *** ** limited, *** **** ****** in **** ****** *********** for ****** *****.

*** ****** ********** ** both ***** *** ******** for ******* ******* ********, but ** ******* ********** like ********* ** ***** wires *** ********, *** must **** ** *********.

Comments (12)

Undisclosed #1

04/18/19 07:38pm

**, *'** ***** *'* fighting * **** *** hopped ** ** *******, but * ***'* *** any ****** ** **** graphic:

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 04/18/19 07:55pm

**! **'* *** *** DayQuil! ** ****** *** specific ******, *** ****'* update **** **** ** the ****. * **** now! ******.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

04/19/19 11:39am

**** *******. **** ***** a ***** **** ***** floor **** ******* ** a ******* ***** ******** wood ***** *****. **** non-rated ***** *** * fire-risk? *’* ****** *** answer ** “**” *** to *** “**** *****” part?

Undisclosed #3

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #2 | 04/20/19 04:58pm

**** *** ***** **** a ******? ** *** house ** ** **** to *** ***** ***** the ****** ***** ** burning *** ***** **** is *** ** *****. Think ** *** *** chemicals ** *********, ***********, plastics...that ********** ******* ** enough ** **** *** twice. * ***** **** a *********** ***** ***** for ********* ***** ** residential ************* *** ** aged ***** *** **** is ******* * ****** know ******* ***** **.

Undisclosed Integrator #6

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #2 | 04/25/19 04:57pm

****** ********* **** ** thousands ** **** ** coax, ****, ****, ***. in *********** ************** ***** employed ** ***** ******* providers, * *** **** you (** ****** *******) that ***** ***** ***** is ********** ** ****** every *********** ************.

Bryan McGee

04/20/19 03:31pm

******* **** ** ** on ********: **** **** ***** *** 'if ** ******* ******, it **** ** ****** rated', ** **** ****** run ******* * **** run **** ** *** rated.

*'* ****** ** ********** this. ** ** ******* the ******* ** * duct ** **** ** CMP? ** ***** * reference ** *** ** this?

Undisclosed #4

04/23/19 02:41am

** * ** **** ex **** ******, **** the **** *** *** doing ********** ***** ****** my ********?

Warren Tilbrook

04/23/19 05:13am

**** ******* *** * would ******* ******* ******* consultants *** ********** **** or ******** ********** ******* they *** ** *** side ** ******* **** it ***** ** **** safety. * ********** ** liable *** *** ************* he **** *** **** to *** ********* ******** should *** *** ****** and *** ***** ** people ****** ****** (*** would ****).

******* ************* ** **** there ***** ***** / national / ************* **** safety *********** **** ******* the **** ** ***** used, *** ** ** in **** ********* *** a *********** ** *** Low ***** **** ******* (LMZH) ** **** ** cable ************** ** **** of *** ******** * work **.

**** ** ******* *** spread ** **** ** not *** **** ******* when ***** ************** *** defined *** *** ******** of ******* *** ***** a *********** ****** ** survival ***** ** ******** fires.

** ** ******* ** a ********* / ********** ( ******* **** ** gutless) * ***** ** happy ** ******* *** increased **** ** ***** a **** ********* ** LMZH ***** ** ** saves **** *** ****.

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Warren Tilbrook | 04/23/19 07:18pm

****** ******, * ******* the **** ** ********* 'lazy', ** ** **** read ** * ***** shot *** **** *** convey * ************ *********.

*** ******* ***** ** that *** ************** *** be ******** **** *** needed.

**** ****** ***** *****, and ** ** ****** that * **********/********* ****** be ******** ** ***** as ******** ** * project. *******, ** ***** of ********* **** ************* requirements ** **** *** cable ** *** ** LMZH ** ***-*****, ***** code *********** ******* ****? I ********* ** ** doubt **, *** **'* like ** ****** *** report ** ******* '******** Requirements' *** **** ********.

Shannon Davis

TED Systems
04/23/19 01:12pm

***********, ***** ****** ** whoever *** ******* *** correct **** ***** *** wherever ** **** *** there ** ***** *** detail **** *** ****, the **********. ** *** technician ** ** * large ******* ***** ***** are ******** ***** ** cables ***** ********* * guarantee * ***** **** get *** ***** ** is *** ******** ** get ***. * ** not ******* *** ********** either.

********* ** *** ****** of ****** ***** *** there ** ** *** to ***** **** ***** of **** ***** **** where. **** ** *** mark *** ***** ** reels ****. ****** *** a ********* **** ** it ***** **** ******** PVC ********* *** *** always. * ****** *** a ******* **** *** special ***** ****** *** access *******, **** *** right ****** ** ******* using ********* *****, *** the ***** ** **** placed *** $**,*** ***** didn't ******* ****** *****, even ****** ****'* **** we **** **% ** the ****. **** **** delivered *** ***** ** us **** *** ***** away *** * **** minute ******* *** ** installed **** *****. **** I ***** **** **** the *** ******, *** should ****, *** * also ******* ** ** bought $*** ** ********** cable **** *** ***** would **** **** ******** before ** *** ********* 2 ***** ****, *** the ***** **** **** plenum ** * ****'* question *** *****. **** a ****** ** ***** later * ** *****' inspector **** *** *** actually ****** ** *** cable *** ******* ** wan't ******. ***** **** we *** ** ****** the ***** **** ****.

** ****** *** ****** cable ** *** ******** regardless ****** ** **** the ****** *** ** going ** ** ** conduit.

Undisclosed End User #5

04/24/19 07:28am

* ********* *** ********* overspec ****** *******

*. *** ***-***** ******** to ******* *** ************ are *** **** **** drivers, *** *** ***** itself

*. ****** *****; ** Warren ****** *****, * won't *** ***** ** risk *** * *** bucks

*. ****** ********; **** is * ******** ********* point *** **** * cost ******: ** ******** to *** ******* ********* of *** *****, ** also ***** ***** ** screen ** ****** **** twisted **** ** ****** interference *** ******* ****** bandwidths ** ****** ************. In ** *** ****, I **** ** *** as ** ****** *** 8.2 ***** (*/***, **** Mhz). **'* **** ******* to ** **** **** to ****** *** ***** even **** (*** ***** 1 *****).

Patrick Bailey

05/02/19 05:54am

********* ***** ****** *** often ********** ** **** if *** *** ******* non-plenum ******* *** ** traverses ** ****** * plenum ***** **** ** for **** * ******* distance, *** * ******, the ****** *** **** be ****** ***** *******. And ********, *** ******* statement **** *********** *** too **** ** *** concerned ***** ******** ***** butts ** *** **** absolutely ********** *** **** unfortunate ** *** **** a ******* **** ** IPVM, *** ** **** and **** ** ** many ****** ** **** industry. ** ** ** simply ***** **** ***** is * *********** **** of ************ ** **** understanding ** *** ****** that *********** **** ** this ********. ** *********** sometimes **** ********? ********** and ** **** *** seen **** ******* ******** on ***** **** **** make *** ***** **** head *** ****** *** this ****** **** **** for **** ****. *** at *** **** ****, we **** **** **** some ******** ***** **** baffle ***. *** ***** of ****** *** ******** understanding ** *** *****, the **********, *** *************, the ******** ****** *** on *** ** *** nothing ***** ** *******.

*** *** ** ****** over ***-****** ** *** that * **** **** debated *** *** **** 25 *****. **** ********* I **** ****** *** take *** ******** **** all ******** ****** ** run **** ****** ******* period. ********* *** ***** cost ** ****** **** each ******* *** ******* will ** ********* **** is ****** ** *** makes ** *****. **** run ** **** ****** and **** ** * day. **** ***** ** not ******** ******** ******** of *** **** **** of *****. **** **** more ***** ** *** losing * ******* *** specifying ** ********** *** wrong *****. **** * ton **** ** *** accidentally ************ ** *** death ** ** ******** person ** *** ******** who *** ******** **** noxious *****. ** *** to ***** *** ******* that **** ********** **** it **** **** *** have ** **** ***** materials **** **** ******* dangerous ***** *** ***** during * ****, **** should ****** ******** ******* or *** **** ****** remain ** ** ******** that ** ****** ** protect ****** *** *****. Just ******* ***** *** other ***** ***** ******** by ********* **** *** not ** ******* ********* does *** **** ** is **** **** **** to ** ***** *** add **** **** ******** especially **** ***** ** is * ********* ** code *** ** ******.

**** ** *** *****. Plus **** *** ******* the ****** ****** ** the **** ************ ** err ** *** **** of ******* *** ****** to *** ****** **** maybe *** *****'** ****** away **** ***-******, **** comes **** ** **** over *%. *** ******* let's *** *** **** a ******* **** *** sell *** $***,***. *** cost ** *** ****** cabling **** ****** $*,*** ((6) ****' ****** ** plenum ***** ********** ****). The **** ** *** plenum ********** **** ******* is ***** **% **** which *** (*) ****' spools **** *** *** about $*,*** ****. **** equates ** ***** *.*% reduction. ** *** *** losing **** ******** ***** on **** ************ *** the ******** **** *** see *** ***** ***** of **** **** ****** consideration *** ************* ** code **********, **** * feel *** ***. ***** it ***** **** ***** to ****** **** ****** by *.*% ** ***** the **** ** ***** it ***** ********** ** you **** *** *** competing ******* *** ********** trunk ******* **** ** ensure *** ** *** lose ******** *** ** your ******* *********. *** time ***** *********** ***-****** cabling ************ ** **** most ****** ******* ******* warehouse ** ****** ******* and *** ***** ***** risks *** *** ***** concerns ********* **** ***** decision **** **** ** sense ** **. *** plenum *** **** ******** from *** ***** **** that * **** ******* or ***** *** **** require *** ** *** it *** *** ***** over **** ******-***** **** cabling. **** ****** ** another *****... ** ********* out ***** ******** ******* cabling **** ******* *** cabling *** *******? *** example, **** *** ******* a *** ** ***** system *** *** ******** all ** *** ******** coaxial *****, ***** *** be *** ******* ** bundled ******* **** ***** system ******* ** ** pipe **** *** **** cables *** * **** ration *** ***** ** 100%. *** *** ******** this *** *** *** like ** ***** ** something. *'* **** ******* if **** ** *** standard ****** ** ********* being **** ** **** integrators? * ** *** want ** ** ****** for ********* **** ***** and **** ****** / non-plenum **** *** * am *******...