Plenum cable

<h2 id="riser-cable">Riser cable</h2>
<p>Cable that is run between floors in non-plenum areas is rated as riser cable.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> The fire requirements on riser cable are not as strict. Thus, plenum cable can always replace riser cable, but riser cable cannot replace plenum cable in plenum spaces.
</p><p>Both plenum and riser cables commonly include a rope or polymer filament with high tensile strength, which helps support the weight of the cable when it is dangling in an open chute.
</p><p>Cables like <a href="/facts/Twisted-pair/L426Jk2C">twisted-pair</a>, <a href="/facts/Coaxial_cable/aG9FfCpL">coaxial</a>, <a href="/facts/High-Definition_Multimedia_Interface/HuNwzm04">HDMI</a>, and <a href="/facts/Digital_Visual_Interface/Dpnu9JmB">DVI</a> are available in both plenum and riser versions. The cable cost is often significantly higher than general-use cable due to the special restricted-use flame retardant materials.
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<h2 id="cable-stiffness">Cable stiffness</h2>
<p>Plenum-rated and riser-rated cables are restricted to only allow certain chemicals for manufacture of the wire insulation and cable sheath. Typically this results in reduced flexibility of plastic cables, making it stiff and hard to bend. The <a href="/facts/Bend_radius/zwCsVzdN">bend radius</a> may also be increased, and tight bends can potentially crack or tear the insulation and sheathing.
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<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161122100250/http://www.l-com.com/multimedia/video_clips/video.aspx?ID=13100">Videos showing flammability of cables (including Plenum rated) based on jacket rating</a></li></ul>
<p>The videos here, while presenting a comparative viewpoint, do not show the fire tests used to determine the relative acceptability of cables for use in plenum spaces.  The fire tests shown in the referenced link are small scale (bench) demonstrations of relative burning characteristics under one condition that is not sanctioned by or used by any safety code or regulation in determining suitability for use in plenum or other applications.
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=90A">NFPA 90A: Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>Hallberg, Bruce A. (2014). Networking: A Beginner's Guide (Sixth ed.). New York. p. 51. ISBN 9780071812245.{{cite book}}:  CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) <a href="9780071812245" target="_blank">9780071812245</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>"Intrabuilding riser cable-- a look at the basics". www.cablinginstall.com. March 1997. Retrieved 2017-12-15. <a href="http://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/print/volume-5/issue-3/contents/design/intrabuilding-riser-cable-a-look-at-the-basics.html" target="_blank">http://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/print/volume-5/issue-3/contents/design/intrabuilding-riser-cable-a-look-at-the-basics.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
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Plenum cable open-in-new

Plenum cable