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Why Fire Alarm Plenum and Riser Ratings Are So Important

  Fire alarm cable is of the utmost importance to public safety, as it allows the different nodes within a fire alarm system to communicate. If there’s a problem with the wiring and the system can’t communicate, it can’t relay important information about heat, smoke detection, or carbon monoxide to other nodes, smoke detectors, or alarms in the system. Talk to any civil or electrical engineer about that and they’ll concur. That’s why all of the minute details associated with wiring should be understood - thoroughly understood - before attempting to complete plans or install wiring. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at two important fire alarm cable ratings - for riser-rated and plenum-rated cables. What Is Riser Space? Riser space, as the name might suggest, allows for utilities to “rise” through a building. That is, it is the vertical space reserved for things like communication lines, water pipes, conduits, and of course, alarm cables, to be vertically distributed ...

What To Look For When Buying Marine Electrical Cables

Purchasing your first boat is a uniquely liberating experience. The thought of being able to sail away from worries, being alone at sea, spending quality time with your family aboard, or even traveling at leisure, are all ideas that cross most people's minds every once in a while. However, anyone with an IQ of room temperature knows that owning a boat comes with a new host of responsibilities that need to be properly taken care of if they want their dream to last. That's why I have prepared a short and sweet guide on what to look for when buying one of the most important onboard elements: marine electrical cables . What Is Considered Marine Electrical Cable? Even the most barebones dingy today has some kind of electrical equipment on board, and they're no good if there is a risk of them breaking as soon as you lose sight of the coast. Marine electrical cables are a category within the electrical wiring industry to designate cables specifically designed to withstand anyth...

Are Marine Electrical Wires The Same As Regular Cables?

  In the world of electronics, there is a huge overlap between the different uses of electrical components in various industries. The reason is that anything powered by electricity needs wiring, and they are made according to widely general principles. However, certain environments and uses can push electrical components to the limit, or prove to be extremely taxing for regular components made for all-around use. Components that go onboard an open sea vessel must be able to withstand extremely harsh and prolonged conditions. This includes tools, work equipment, and electronics. As a general rule, always be ready to lose anything you bring on board. The Key Aspects Of Marine Electrical Wire Some think that automotive wire is tough enough for marine use. In fact, automotive wire is specifically made to withstand extreme heat conditions, and be oil resistant. This might prompt many to assume that automotive and marine electrical wires can be used interchangeably. However, certain...

Why Are Security and Alarm Cables So Important?

Many appliances in our homes deserve more attention than what they usually get. That is the case of fire alarms, CCTV systems, motion sensors, keypads, and devices that make our homes and businesses safer but stay out of sight and out of mind for most of us. However, these devices are just as important as televisions or refrigerators. Security cables are the unsung heroes among home appliances - they're not glamorous, they don't have a cool display, and you might never see them again after installation. But security cables play an essential role in our lives by ensuring that the various utilities we rely upon are safe and secure. There are two kinds of security cables: safety cables and security cables. While they both enhance home or office safety, they provide that protection in different ways. Security cables are designed to accurately relay information between control and alarm systems. On the other hand, safety cables ensure that devices do not pose a fire hazard by pre...

Marine Battery Cables and Terminals: A Short Q&A

Is your boat’s electrical system on the fritz? Do you need to make a new connection to your boat’s batteries? Thinking of tackling the project on your own? If you do, make sure you use the right tools and parts for the job - which includes dedicated marine battery wire for any wiring jobs or connections. And in case you have any questions about marine battery cable and terminals , these are some of the most common. What Is the Difference Between Marine Battery Wire and Regular Wire? Both marine battery wire and regular wire and used to carry a current around an electrical system, in the case of battery cable, as leads for a battery. However, marine battery wire has two specific attributes that make it more suitable for the application than normal wire. One is that it is not wire at all, but cable. “Wire” is a bit of a misnomer, actually, since a wire is a single-stranded conductor. Cable, on the other hand, is made of many fine braided conductors. Marine ba...

Things To Look Out For When Looking For Welding Cable For Sale

Are looking for a welding cable for sale online? If you are, then you must be aware of what they are designed for—not for an undemanding profession, that’s for sure. Welding cable is designed for electric arc-welding machines, it is a conductor that carries the power to fire up the metal rod so that a welding professional can get the work done. However, for a welding cable to properly perform what’s it supposed to do, it should meet the right standards for it to be strong enough to perform its job. Why Must a Welding Cable be Durable? This job is not for the weak and that’s not limited to the professional himself but the cable as well. It’s important to know that you’re getting nothing but the most durable and flexible welding cable there is. There’s a current passing through those wires after all. The last thing you need is for your welding cable to overheat, impeding a speedy welding process. You also don’t want your welding cable to ...

The Need for Individual Tinning in Marine Battery Wire

You’re probably familiar with the Statue of Liberty’s pleasant, sea green color. While that seafoam green has become an endearing artistic calling card of that artistic fixture when she was new she was the color of a penny. Shiny, bright, and copper-clad - the same color as a penny or of marine electrical wire. The Statue of Liberty’s color changed due to oxidation that occurred due to contact with the elements, which is the exact same thing that will happen to copper electrical wire and cable when they are exposed. The problem is that electrical wire and cable are not pieces of art whereas statuary is. If copper wire tires turn green their conductivity will be severely adversely affected. Oxidized copper wire is actually a very poor, very inefficient conductor of electricity, and since vessels and other electrical infrastructure that uses them rely on them to keep the lights on the navigational equipment operational, it’s critical to protect marine grade batt...