Southwire is a leading manufacturer of QPL, low temperature RF coaxial cables. Our product is supplied in accordance with MIL-DTL-17 and the compliant slant sheets for various Radio Guide coaxial cables as identified by the Defense Supply Center of Columbus, Ohio (DSCC).

We supply Southwire’s range of Low Voltage Electronic Wires branded under the popular brand names Tappan, Signa-Wave and Signal which covers cables used in applications required in fire alarm systems, access control, CCTV/CATV, sound & security, audio & video, datacom & telecom.

The Signa-Wave® brand of high performance 50 and 75 Ohm radio frequency low-loss coaxial cables feature superior performance. These cables are utilized in numerous applications where loss and performance supersede traditional RG58, RG8, RG213, RG223, and RG214 coaxial cables. The Signa-Wave® 100, 195, 200, 240, 300, and 400 series are utilized in mobile phone, Wi-Fi, satellite antennas, terrestrial microwave, medical, military, air traffic control, and land mobile radio applications.

UL Lighting Cables

UL Fire Safety Cables

Power Limited Fire Alarm Cable & Communications Cable for Riser or Non- Riser Applications. (Fire Alarms, Smoke Detectors, Signaling, Fire Protective Circuits). Fire protective signaling circuits, also for smoke detectors, voice communications, audio control and initiating circuits relating to Article 760 of the NEC. For use in plenum spaces.

All cables that go through the ceiling must be plenum rated. According to Article 800 of the NEC, plenum cables must comply with the specifications for flammability and smoke density, outlined in UL 920 and the NFPA 262. 

Why is this necessary? Plenum cables are routed through Air Return/Circulation Space, which often contain very few fire barriers, they need to be coated in a material/insulation, that won’t contribute to the propagation or the spreading of flame. 

Will Plenum cables burn? Absolutely, but they will burn at a slower rate and have less smoke than a Non-Plenum Rated cable or even a Riser Cable.

Security Cables

Southwire’s Tappan’” Access Control Cables are factory assembled bundles for multi-function access control doors. Cables for card reader, lock, door contact, and request to exit (REX) devices, are provided in one cable. Installations are simplified and quicker than when four separate common cables are used. Individual component cables are color coded and printed with their design function, for fastest field identification and termination.

Southwire offers a range of multi-conductor plenum and riser cables in shielded and unshielded formats. Riser cable is also known as the backbone cable because it at the heart of most intrabuilding cabling jobs. Proper installation is vital to the telecommunications infrastructure of a building. Just as water pipes and power lines run hidden beneath building floors and behind walls, riser cable performs its vital functions out of sight of the people it serves. 

CCTV Cables

CATV (NEC under Article 820) for Community Antenna Television and Radio Distribution Systems. If you have cable or a dish, your home uses CATV. Most home connections currently use CATV RG6, which is a solid 18AWG Bare CU or Copper Clad Steel Conductor (CCS). MATV – Master Antenna Television is used in apartment buildings and hospitals where TV and FM signals are distributed to multiple receiver boxes from a single Satellite or antenna.

CATV/MATV – RG59, RG6 and RG11 rated at 75 Ohms. CATV utilizes a Dual Shield – Braid shield and a Foil Shield. Quad Shielded coax cables can be Plenum or Riser Rated.

Network Cables – Cat5 & Cat6

Suitable for all networking applications including Digital Surveillance Camera MJPG and MPEG4, RS422 extension, Video, Multi-media, and voice circuits, Ethernet Networking systems, PoE applications, Digital, Analog , Baseband, Broadband and other Multimedia Voice applications.

Available in 1,000ft or 500 ft packages, reels, or pull-boxes where practicable. Options include other colours, jackets with extruded stripes, and composite cables for multiple services, jacketed, armoured, or armoured and jacketed.

Control Cables

Low Voltage cables for instrumentation, building management, electronic control systems, temperature control, light dimming and landscape lighting. Shielded and unshielded options are offered.

Audio Cables

Interconnect amplifiers and speakers for Hi-End audio transmission in pro audio, strero, and hi-fidelity systems. Highly flexible. Listed by UL for use in NEC power-limited circuits except those routed in risers or in plenums. Options include cables suitable for in-wall installation, wet locations, indoor use and light-duty outdoor use.

Terminology

1. PLTC (300V) – Power Limited Tray Cable – Rated 105C, 300V, approved Class 1 & 2, Div 2 for Hazardous Area

2. CL3 & CL2 – General Purpose (in wall cables)

3. CL3P & CL2P – Plenum Rated Class 3 & Class 2 Circuit Cables (low smoke and low flame)

4.CL3R & CL2R – Riser Rated Class 3 & Class 2 Circuit Cables 5.CL3X & CL2X – Limited Use for Class 3 & Class 2 Circuit Cables

Let’s explain Class 2 and 3 circuits:

Class 2 (150V) circuits power temperature controls, doorbells, door openers, lighting controls, irrigation controls, communications accessories.

Class 3 (300V) circuits are not as common – used to power equipment – used in home theater and sound systems. Central fire and security systems.

PLTC can also be used for Class 3 & Class 2 cables, but CL2 (Class 2 Cables can only be used for a Class 2 Circuit). Most of our Communications Cables are dual listed as Power Limited Circuit Cables.  For example, you might see a description such as an 18/3 CMR/CL3R.