Skip to main content

These 3 Traits Engender Quality in AWG Fire Alarm Cables

Electrical wire and cable are often qualified according to special traits that make them suitable for their intended applications. For example, marine battery cable is extra flexible and resistant to corrosion. Photovoltaic, or PV cable, must be resistant to the elements and specifically resistant to UV light. Otherwise, they would not be well-designed for their intended purposes. AWG fire alarm cables are no different.

Designed to carry low voltage loads and to ensure uninterrupted communication around an alarm circuit, high-quality AWG fire alarm cables, like so many other types of electrical cables, are designed with a number of features that make them suitable for their use in fire alarms systems. Notably, the following three traits guarantee quality.

1. Resistance to high heat; Flame-retardance
First, and perhaps most obvious, it is important that fire alarm cables are finished with insulation that is highly resistant to high temperatures. Specifically, it is helpful if the insulation itself is flame retardant. Understandably, both plenum and riser-rated cables might be subjected to high temperatures if there were ever a fire, and if they were suddenly to fail, the effects would be disastrous.

For this reason, the highest quality fire alarm cables contain copper conductors that are thoroughly insulated with PVC jackets (or other materials) that are highly resistant to heat and flame. Some fire alarm cables may even have insulation that is not only resistant to open flames, but actually self extinguishes.

2. Insulation that does not produce toxic fumes when burned or overheated
As vital as it is for fire alarm cables to be finished with insulation that protects them against heat in order to ensure their communication with smoke detectors and their overall serviceability, it is not the only feature that matters. Electrical engineers have also had to consider the safety of the occupants of the buildings.

Many synthetic materials, including polymers and thermoplastics that are used to insulate other electrical control circuits and signal circuits, produce toxic, noxious fumes when they burn. Some of them release may even release dangerous vapors beneath their flashpoints.

Smoke is one of the most dangerous components of a fire, and the best quality AWG fire alarm cables will be finished with insulation that not only produces non-toxic fumes when burned but a minimum of smoke at all.

3. Full, foil-faced shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI)
Electromagnetic interference, also known as EMI, is one of the most serious concerns for notification circuits and security alarms systems, like or burglar alarms. EMI can arise from a variety of natural or artificial sources, but regardless of its origin, it can scramble the signals carried by alarm systems and in extreme cases even incapacitate them. High-quality fire alarm cables contain full foil-faced insulation to protect against electromagnetic interference, safeguarding the integrity and operability of the systems they serve.

Interested in learning more about AWG fire alarm cables, or do you simply need to pick up some high-quality, color-coded cables to complete a system’s circuit? Check EWCS Wire at EWCSWire.com. Aptly named, the Electrical Wire and Cable Specialists sell a wide range of security and alarm cables, including both riser and plenum rated cables. Visit their website or contact them at 1-800-262-1598 to learn more.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wire Voltage Ratings, Explained

Voltage rating is one of the most basic, fundamental ratings associated with electrical wire and cable, given in volts. Voltage itself is a measurement of electrical potential, calculated by multiplying a given electrical current (in amperes, I), by the resistance of a conductor, (in ohms, Ω). The material of the conductor, as well as the thickness, will all impact resistance. These things, being variables from which voltage is drawn, affect voltage rating. Think of voltage as the force “pushing” the electricity through a wire or cable, similar to how plumbing pipes experience line pressure, except that line pressure is measured in PSI instead of volts. Just like with water pipes, it is essential never to exceed the voltage rating of a given conductor - but instead of a burst pipe, exceeding the voltage rating of an electrical conductor can cause overheating, fires, and an elevated risk of dangerous electrical shock. But what exactly is a wire’s voltage rating? ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Common Questions About Security and Alarm Cables, Answered

Not sure which type of security or alarm cable your facility or system needs? Hopefully, these answers to common questions can help! What cable is used for alarm systems? Security and alarm systems are usually wired with small-gauge wire specifically designed for the purpose. For instance, many security systems are wired with 12 and 18 AWG gauge alarm wire, as these low-voltage applications do not necessarily require larger, heavier wires. However, larger or wire gauges may be required depending on the circumstances. Also, there are some unique requirements for some systems. For instance, fire alarm cables must be made with specific insulation that is heat resistant and which does not produce toxic smoke when burned. What gauge cable do you need for alarm systems? Only your specific system requirements can answer that question, but often large wire gauges (that is, smaller wires) are used as security and alarm cables because of the low-voltage, low-current application. What is ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Qualities to Look for in Good 10 AWG Marine Primary Wire

Regardless of your level of experience as a mariner, you are likely to have improvements you’d like to make to your boat. Whether these improvements come in the form of a new radio, a cutting-edge fish-finder, or a more personalized control panel, each one will require some electrical work in order to bring power from your boat’s battery to the system. For this, you are likely to require at least some length of 10 AWG marine primary wire . Choosing good quality wire, however, can be difficult if you don’t know exactly what to look for. In this blog, we will help you know exactly what to look for to ensure you get the wire you need. 1. Quality Insulation When shopping for 10 AWG marine primary wire, the most important characteristic of good wire is quality insulation. With marine electrical systems, it is remarkably important that moisture, salt, and minerals are kept completely separate from the copper that makes electrical systems possible. This is achieved with mar...
Post a Comment
Read more