sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring telephone cable

OK,

First, thanks for this helpful discussion about the pro's and con's of the different cables.

Second, I'm now more confused. I want to run Cat 5e and Cat3 cable from a Leviton patch panel I'm installing in my basement.

The cable has to run the width of the basement (horizontal) *then* run vertical up to the second floor.

So, I have a cable I want to run in two directions. I was going to use plenum solid for that, but...should I still?

Ran

If the cable you are running will be covered up by drywall so that is inaccessible, I would run Cat 5e for everything. In a house there is no reason to install Plenum cable.

Yes, the horizontal/vertical issue only applies in commercial installations where there are physical vertical shafts between floors for cabling. Type CMR (non-plenum) is all that's required. A few extra bucks to install an empty PVC conduit between the basement and the attic might also be well worth your while for the future.

Thanks so much for your helpful and knowledgeable replies.

Regarding the type of cable that is required, CMR (r=riser, right?) is the slower-burning PVC jacketed cable, correct?

My thinking in using plenum was that it would be safer in a residential house than riser with respect to potential fire issues.

In your (collective) assessment, would you disagree with this thought and, if so, may I humbly ask why?

Ran
(naive new homeowner)

CMR is perfectly acceptable for use in a residence. You may also use plenum-rated cable; there's really no regulation to speak of with this stuff in residential construction.

Remember that most new plumbing and electrical wiring in residential applications is made of PVC, so telephone wire isn't really any different.

The vertical/horizontal issues really only apply in commercial buildings where empty spaces above ceilings are utilized as conditioned air plenums (returns), hence the term "plenum cable". In residential applications, there is separate ducting installed for supply and return, so you will be just fine either way you choose to go.

Actually CMX cable is designed more for use in residential applications, but it's not really as common anymore because it's use is limited to 50 feet per run.

Ed's post on july 2nd explains it all pretty well. Bottom line plenum is used in ceiling that have a air return, for circulation, heating whatever, air that is re-circulated through the building runs through it, reason is not because it's more or less flammable, it's because plenum doesn't put out the toxic fumes of the other plastic jackets. So in your home when you think about all the things that put out toxic fumes when burned, well what cable you use is the least of your worries.

Boy Ed, by time I run spell check and every thing else you've posted two or three times.

Terrific.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us "newbies"

Ran

The hazards of burning PVC were made quite evident during the NY Telephone fire in the early 1970's, when a central office in NYC went up in smoke..

The fire started somewhere in the basement, possibly the battery plant, and spread via the PVC cabling thruought the basement areas (several basements and sub-basements.)

Smoke conditions were extremely bad, with visibility of a few inches at best, and the smoke was very toxic.

When burned, PVC breaks down to Hydrogen Chloride gas, which when mixed with water, becomes Hydrochloric Acid. It also breaks down to Dioxin compounds (carcinogenic..)

I remember that one, I lived across the river when it happened. You couldn't call anywhere in NJ, NY or CT for days. If I recall, that central office building was forty stories with about half being cable vaults. By the time that the fire got really going, the riser shafts were history as in crumbling concrete.

I think the fire was started by someone using a breakdown test set on pulp cable without clearing both pairs. Something about 600 volts DC on paper-insulated cable pairs in a congested area. Maybe that's why you don't see breakdown sets out there anymore!

I agree with hbiss.
CMP can be sub for CMR, CMG, and or CMX.
CMR can be sub for CMG & CMX
CMG can sub for CMX
CMX can be sub for nothing.
CMP with also put it self out with in 4ft in the flame is removed.
Cancer causing chemicals in teflon are only if the MFG stage and are NOT in the final product.
Just my 21/2 cents.