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:

Avatar

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 *********** ************.

Avatar

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 **** *** ****.

 

 

Avatar

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 *******... 

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Access Control Course Fall 2019 - Last Chance on Oct 17, 2019
Register Now - Fall 2019 Access Control Course. Thursday, October 17th is the last day to register. IPVM offers the most comprehensive access...
Altronix Claims Tango 'Eliminates Electricians' on Oct 15, 2019
Power supply provider Altronix claims its new Tango power supply 'eliminates the need for an electrician, dedicated conduit and wire runs'. In...
Camera Focusing Tutorial on Oct 14, 2019
Camera focus is fundamental to quality imaging. Mistakes can significantly reduce details, making cameras less effective. In this guide, we...
Last Chance - Register Now - October 2019 IP Networking Course on Oct 10, 2019
Last Chance - Register Now - Fall 2019 IP Networking Course. The course starts next week. This is the only networking course designed...
Camera Cable Whip Guide on Oct 02, 2019
Cable whips are one of integrator's least favorite camera features but seem to be unavoidable, now commonplace on dome, turret, and bullet cameras...
Installation Course - Last Chance - Register Now on Sep 12, 2019
Last Chance - Register Now - September 2019 Video Surveillance Install Course. Thursday, September 12th is your last chance to register for the...
Genetec Stratocast VSaaS Tested on Sep 05, 2019
The VSaaS market is rapidly expanding in 2019, with Verkada, Meraki, Eagle Eye, Avigilon and numerous startups growing their market share. When we...
ZK Teco Atlas Access Control Tested on Aug 20, 2019
Who needs access specialists? China-based ZKTeco claims its newest access panel 'makes it very easy for anyone to learn and install access control...
Milestone "GDPR-ready" Certification Claim Critiqued on Aug 12, 2019
Milestone is touting that its latest XProtect VMS is "GDPR-ready" with a 'European Privacy Seal'. However, our investigation raises significant...
Hikvision 4K Camera Shootout on Aug 02, 2019
With their latest Smart Series 5 cameras, Hikvision is claiming cameras "fully loaded" with "state-of-the-art technology for high performance and...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Hikvision Global News Reports Directory on Oct 17, 2019
Hikvision has received the most global news reporting of any video surveillance company, ever, ranging from the WSJ, the Financial Times, Reuters,...
Camera Calculator V3.1 Release Improves User Experience on Oct 17, 2019
IPVM has released a new version of our Camera Calculator, V3.1, with significant user experience improvements, a new development plan, and an...
Securing Access Control Installations Tutorial on Oct 17, 2019
The physical security of access control components is critical to ensuring that a facility is truly secure. Otherwise, the entire system can be...
Access Control Course Fall 2019 - Last Chance on Oct 17, 2019
Register Now - Fall 2019 Access Control Course. Thursday, October 17th is the last day to register. IPVM offers the most comprehensive access...
US DoD Comments on Huawei, Hikvision, Dahua Cyber Security Concerns on Oct 16, 2019
A senior DoD official said the US is "concerned" with the cybersecurity of Hikvision, Dahua, and Huawei due to "CCP" (China Communist Party)...
Pelco Sarix Pro3 Camera Tested on Oct 16, 2019
Pelco has released their Sarix Professional Series 3 cameras, claiming "more security detail in challenging scenes with excellent low light and...
IPVM Camera Calculator User Manual / Guide on Oct 16, 2019
Learn how to use the IPVM Camera Calculator. The guide below includes instructions, images, gifs, and videos demonstrating and explaining the...
Altronix Claims Tango 'Eliminates Electricians' on Oct 15, 2019
Power supply provider Altronix claims its new Tango power supply 'eliminates the need for an electrician, dedicated conduit and wire runs'. In...
Pelco CEO Out, New CEO Found on Oct 15, 2019
Just 2 months after Pelco was sold, Pelco's CEO is out, with Pelco bringing in an outside President and searching for a new CEO from the industry,...

What IPVM Is

The world's leading authority on video surveillance, with 200,000+ visits monthly.

  • Articles on cameras, video analytics, VMS, and trends
  • Tests showing actual performance and problems
  • Courses in surveillance, access control, etc
  • Camera Calculator for designing systems

Dedicated To Independence

We're dedicated to staying independent and objective. We're the only industry source to refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship, and consulting from manufacturers. Why?