Riser Cable: Understanding and Installation
Do you ever ask yourself how the internet service provider functions in tall buildings? There is one specific thing – riser cable.
Riser cables are special wires used for vertical installations between different floors of multistory buildings.
These cables are very important in connecting to the internet, telephone, and other data services.
It appears to be very complicated to understand the riser cables and even how to install them, but in real essence, it isn’t.
In this blog, we will cover what the riser cable is, its application, installation methods, and the difference between the riser cable and the plenum cable.
After understanding these cables, you will understand why they are important and their significant role in ensuring the operations of more modern structures and infrastructures.
What is Riser Cable and Where To Use It?
A riser cable is an electrical cable that is used to run vertically between the floors in the building in question.
Sometimes, it is installed in the shafts or spaces known as risers that are between various floors. These cables are fundamental since they are designed to minimize fire outbreaks between floors and also have a flame-resistant jacket.
Most riser cables are located in walls of office complexes, hotels, or high rise apartments. They are used to link up telecommunication devices, including phone and internet equipment, from one floor to the next. This is why the use of riser cables in those situations is recommended for safety and compliance with building regulations.
Therefore, a riser cable is the best choice if you need to install a network in a multi-story building.
Where to Use Non-rated Cables?
These cables are not tested to meet certain safety levels but can be utilized in areas where the risk of physical harm or fires is almost impossible.
These include temporary connections such as short-term events, minor home renovations or projects, or for general, non-essential purposes.
For instance, non-rated cables may be adequate if you plan to install a temporary sound system for a backyard party.
They are also ideal for experimentation or pilot projects in restricted conditions where risks for individuals are not a factor.
However, they should not be used in permanent installations, busy areas, or where cable failure could lead to dangerous conditions.
Customers should always ensure their use does not breach any of the local electrical codes or safety standards.
What is Plenum Cable?
These cables are not tested to meet certain safety levels but can be utilized in areas where the risk of physical harm or fires is almost impossible.
These include temporary connections such as short-term events, minor home renovations or projects, or for general non-essential purposes.
For instance, non-rated cables may be adequate if you plan to install a temporary sound system for a backyard party.
They are also ideal for experimentation or pilot projects in restricted conditions where risks for individuals are not a factor.
However, they should not be used in permanent installations, busy areas, or where cable failure could lead to dangerous conditions.
Customers should always ensure their use does not breach any of the local electrical codes or safety standards.
When to Use Plenum Cables?
Plenum cable is a type of electrical cable most suitable for use above the ceiling or beneath the floor, the areas referred to as plenums where the flow of air is generally experienced.
These cables have an outer jacket that increases their fire rating and that also means that they will emit less toxic smoke than conventional cables if they burn.
This makes them safer for use in buildings because the plenum spaces that are found in the construction of the building can contain smoke and flames.
Normal cables can be risky in such zones, and that is why cables designed for plenum aid in the conservation of the structure and the persons inside it.
It is used for telephone, networking, and other electrical wiring requirements that are common in spaces such as offices and businesses.
How Do You Know If a Cable is Plenum Rated?
To find out if a cable is plenum-rated, look for special markings somewhere on the body of the cable, which might read plenum or CMP (Communications Plenum).
These markings suggest that the cables comply with fire safety requirements for use within ventilated spaces, such as above a dropped ceiling or below a raised floor.
Plenum-rated cables have special insulation, which does not allow flames to spread and release dangerous smoke.
You can also check the cable’s packaging or the product specifications for this information. If you have any doubts, you can consult the supplier or manufacturer of those products. Running plenum-rated cables in these areas is necessary for the building to be safe and meet all the code requirements.
How To Install Riser Cable?
Riser cable installation is a rather intricate process that should be performed with great accuracy for safety and efficiency purposes.
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Plan the Route: Decide the pathway of the riser cable and mainly how to fix it. This should be done by adopting the building code and potential dangers.
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Measure Cable Length: Take the appropriate measurement, which must include additional information in case of alterations to the length and also the playable length.
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Secure Cable Path: Ensure you use cable trays or conduits to better protect the cable and achieve a neater appearance for the cable installation.
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Install Firestopping: Put firestopping at all floor joints to correspond to set standard on the level of fire protection.
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Pull the Cable: Use your hand to slide the cable through the conduit or tray, but ensure that you don’t subject the cable to sharp bends as this may cause its damage.
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Terminate Ends: When connecting the two ends of the cable, be sure to use matching connectors for stability.
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Test Installation: Perform tests to prove that the cable is OK, fit for use, and possesses all the qualities that are required.
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Label the Cable: It is very vital that the cable is properly labeled so that it can be recognized from distant and for future uses when its maintenance is necessary.
Key Difference Between Riser vs Plenum Cable
| Feature | Riser Cable | Plenum Cable |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | Used in vertical spaces (e.g., between floors) | Used in horizontal spaces (e.g., air ducts) |
| Location | Typically installed in non-plenum areas | Installed in plenum spaces where air circulation is common |
| Fire Resistance | Moderate fire resistance | High fire resistance and low smoke production |
| Jacket Material | Made of PVC or other less fire-resistant materials | Made of flame-retardant materials like FEP or low-smoke PVC |
| Cost | Generally less expensive | More expensive due to stricter fire safety standards |
| Smoke Emission | Produces more smoke and toxic fumes when burned | Produces less smoke and toxic fumes when burned |
| Regulations | Complies with standard building codes for riser applications | Must comply with stricter plenum-specific building codes |
| Installation Areas | Ideal for elevator shafts, between floors | Ideal for spaces used for air circulation (e.g., HVAC systems) |
| Performance | Adequate for most non-critical installations | Preferred for critical areas requiring higher safety standards |
Types of Riser Cable
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Category 5e (Cat5e): Cat5e riser cable is designed for Ethernet networks with data transmission rate up to 1000 Mbps or Gigabit Ethernet networks. Typically used in data and voice communications transmission.
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Category 6 (Cat6): Offers higher performance as it is capable of supporting up to 10 Gbps, although for short range. Best used in the modern high-speed networks.
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Category 6a (Cat6a): A newer improved extension of Cat6 intended for longer distances high-speed transmissions at 10 Gbps and comes with better shielding.
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Single-Mode Fiber (SMF): Used for applying data transfer over long distances with a narrow core that allows only one mode of light. This one is good for high speed over long distances on scalable networks.
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Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF): It has a bigger central region that can encompass several modes of light that makes it ideal for carrying light within buildings and between stories. The versions include OM1, OM2, OM3, and OM4 with the OM versions having different bandwidth and distance throughputs.
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Coaxial Riser Cables: It is not necessary that only cables of the same kind, for example, only Fiber optic cables or only copper cables, but many times, they can be bundled together in one sheath. These are meant for several services like electrical power, communication data, voice, etc., which should be channeled through the same cable- a thing that simplifies the installation level.
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Power over Ethernet (PoE) Riser Cables: These are cables that carry both power and data over the same cable and a major AS application to power devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points. Regarding PoE standards, it is necessary to mention that they correspond to IEEE 802. 3af (Power over Ethernet or PoE) and more recent IEEE 802. 3at (PoE+).
Types of Plenum Cable
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Cat5e Plenum Cable: Cat5e (Category 5 Enhanced) Plenum cable is now becoming a widely used cable as an enhanced type of Cat5. It favors higher speed and far superior performance with less crosstalk under multiplexing conditions. Appropriate for Ethernet networking, it has a carrier-sense ability that permits up to 1 Gbps for short distances.
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Cat6 Plenum Cable: Like any other higher category, Cat6 (Category 6) plenum cable is better than Cat5e in terms of performance, where crosstalk and system noise are more strictly controlled. Supports upto 10Gbps over a short range but is good for high bandwidth networks and works best for distances not more than 55 meters.
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Cat6a Plenum Cable: Shielded Cat6a (Category 6 Augmented) plenum grade cables offer even better performance than Cat 6, such as higher frequency bandwidths. Fibre-optic supports transmissions at faster rates up to 10Gbps over longer cables of up to 100 meters.
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Cat7 Plenum Cable: Cat7 Plenum cable differs from other categories as it can process higher frequencies and has added plenum shielding that minimizes crosstalk and interference. The support works at up to 10Gbps and is intended for high-end networking when a lower noise and crosstalk is required.
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Coaxial Plenum Cable: Plenum cables have a core, dielectric, braid, and jacket; all of these constitute designs that will minimize crosstalk.
FAQs
1. How does a riser cable differ from other types of cables, such as plenum or general-purpose cables?
Riser cables (classified as CMR) are intended for vertical telecommunications on different floors. It has a better fire tolerability than general purpose cables (CM), but not as high as plenum cables (CMP) used in air return for the HVAC systems. When operating outdoors, plenum cables are required to have better fire and smoke safety than other types of cables since they are vulnerable to air conditioning which can promote flame and smoke spreading.
2. What materials are used to construct riser cables to enhance their fire resistance?
The riser cables usually contain flameretardant materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) base. These materials are intended to reduce the amount of smoke and toxic fumes generated in the event of a fire, thus making the structure safer for occupants.
3. Can riser cables be used in plenum spaces, or is a different cable type necessary for those areas?
It is important that the riser cables should not be installed in the plenum areas. Plenum spaces, which serve as air return spaces in HVAC systems, require plenum-rated cables (CMP). These cables have a better fire resistance characteristic than the earlier ones in terms of the amount of smoke they release and the level of flammability, thus making them suitable for areas where air circulation could enhance the spread of fire.
