Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Non-Plenum 4-Element (Construction 1) Cables

Summary: Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Non-Plenum 4-Element (Construction 1) Cables

Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Non-Plenum 4-Element (Construction 1) Cables from Windy City Wire are SmartWire low-voltage products designed for commercial and industrial access control installations. Built in the United States and engineered for door openings, controllers, readers, and power distribution, these composite cables combine multiple elements under one jacket to streamline pulls, reduce terminations, and help standardize your installations across projects.

Choosing SmartWire composite security cable helps integrators minimize labor and simplify material planning. Each composite includes dedicated elements for lock power and reader/data, with stranded copper conductors for flexibility, PVC jackets for durability in non-plenum spaces, and clearly identifiable jacket stripes and conductor color codes to aid fast, accurate termination. SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied during manufacturing to reduce pulling friction by up to 70%, supporting smoother installs in conduits and raceways.

• Purpose-built for access control: Combine power and data in a single composite to support locks, card readers, REX, and related control circuits.
• Low-voltage, non-plenum construction: PVC-jacketed elements suited for general-purpose areas outside air-handling spaces.
• Stranded copper conductors: Flexible handling and reliable performance during pulls and terminations.
• Mixed shielding where needed: Overall aluminum shield (OAS) on data pairs to help reduce EMI, with unshielded power conductors for efficient lock power delivery.
• Installer-friendly identification: Standard conductor color codes and jacket stripe colors support faster identification at the door and panel.
• SmartWire Glide lubrication: Applied to the cable jacket to cut friction by up to 70% for smoother, faster pulls.
• Length options: Available in 1000 FT and 500 FT lengths.
• Customization available: Ask about SmartWire jacket and stripe color options to align with your company standards and simplify future service.

These SmartWire access control cables support common security cable requirements for door openings and controller panels, including lock power, card reader/data, and peripheral circuits. They are a strong fit for enterprise campuses, industrial facilities, healthcare, education, and other commercial environments where reliability, consistency, and installation efficiency matter.

Available constructions

1. 18 AWG 4C Stranded PVC, Low-Voltage: Unshielded (UNS) power element for electrified lock hardware and auxiliaries; gray jacket with purple stripe for quick identification.
2. 22 AWG 3 Pair Stranded PVC, Low-Voltage: Data/reader element with an overall aluminum shield (OAS) to help mitigate interference; gray jacket with yellow stripe for quick identification.

At-a-glance specifications

• Composite includes both 18 AWG and 22 AWG elements to serve power and data needs in one pull.
• Shielding: Combination of OAS (for data pairs) and unshielded (for power) elements.
• Conductor color codes: 18/4 = Black/Red/White/Green; 22/3PR pairs = Black/Red, White/Green, Brown/Blue.
• Jacket type: PVC, non-plenum.
• Lengths: 1000 FT and 500 FT.
• Applications: Security cable for access control, card reader cable, door lock power cable, controller and panel wiring.

Why Windy City Wire

• SmartWire brand, made in the USA: Consistent quality across projects and sites.
• Industry focused products and solutions: Built for professional security integrators and electrical contractors handling commercial and industrial work.
• Standardization across facilities: Available custom jacket and stripe colors can help you create a repeatable identification scheme that speeds install and service.

For your next access control project, trust SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Non-Plenum 4-Element (Construction 1) Cables to consolidate pulls, support consistent terminations, and meet the demands of modern commercial security systems. Contact Windy City Wire to configure the product mix that aligns with your specifications and timelines.

Solutions: Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Non-Plenum 4-Element (Construction 1) Cables

Security & Access Control Multi‑Conductor Composite Non‑Plenum 4‑Element Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures composite low‑voltage security and access control cable built for commercial and industrial environments. This non‑plenum, multi‑conductor 4‑element construction combines dedicated power and signal components under one jacket to streamline door-by-door wiring, reduce pulls, and simplify terminations. By pairing an unshielded power element with shielded data pairs, these cables support a full door opening from the controller or power supply to the device set—reducing labor while helping maintain performance in electrically noisy spaces.

Typical devices and circuits supported

• Electrified locks, maglocks, electric strikes, and door operators (lock power and control)
• Card readers and keypads (Wiegand or OSDP/RS‑485 signaling)
• Door position switches (DPS) and contacts
• Request‑to‑exit (REX) sensors and push‑to‑exit stations
• Auxiliary relays, monitoring points, and door hardware accessories

How the composite construction helps

• Dedicated power conductors: An 18 AWG unshielded 4‑conductor element is sized for common lock power runs and helps mitigate voltage drop over typical distances.
• Shielded data for readers: A 22 AWG, 3‑pair overall‑shielded (OAS) element supports reader protocols and low‑level signaling by helping reduce EMI and crosstalk near motors, VFDs, and branch power.
• Fewer pulls, cleaner terminations: One composite cable services power, reader, and auxiliary door circuits at once, reducing conduit fill and installation time across large projects.
• Field identification: Distinct conductor color coding—such as Black/Red/White/Green and paired combinations like Black/Red, White/Green, Brown/Blue—supports consistent terminations and troubleshooting.
• Non‑plenum rating: Designed for non‑air‑handling spaces. For return‑air plenums, specify an appropriate plenum‑rated alternative.

Key applications and systems

• Access control systems: Controller to door hardware, including power distribution, reader, DPS, and REX wiring
• Mantraps and interlocks: Coordinated door sets requiring synchronized control and monitoring
• Turnstiles, gate controls, and perimeter doors: Combined power and signaling out to barriers and entry points
• Elevator access control: Interface wiring for card readers and control relays (within system design limits)
• Intercom and entry systems: Door station control and monitoring alongside access credentials
• Intrusion detection tie‑ins: Contact loops and auxiliary alarm points at secured openings

Industries served

• Commercial office, multi‑tenant and corporate campuses
• Healthcare and life sciences (patient care areas, labs, pharmacies, data rooms)
• Education (K‑12, higher education, residence halls, athletic facilities)
• Industrial and manufacturing (production floors, warehouses, distribution centers)
• Retail, hospitality, and entertainment venues
• Government, transportation, and critical infrastructure
• Data centers and colocation facilities (secure cages, MPOE, MMR access points)

Integrations and building ecosystem

• Video management systems (VMS): Door events synchronized to cameras and analytics
• Intrusion and alarm panels: Shared sensors and supervised inputs
• Building automation and OT networks: Door signals informing HVAC and lighting logic
• Visitor management and identity platforms: Credentials, readers, and audit trails

Installation scenarios and guidance

• Controller‑to‑door home runs where a single composite pull saves time and conduit space
• High‑EMI areas (elevators, mechanical rooms) benefitting from OAS shielded reader pairs
• Longer lock power runs leveraging 18 AWG conductors to manage voltage drop when properly engineered
• Retrofits and expansions where consistent color coding speeds identification and service

Options available in this category

• Shielding: Combination of OAS and UNS within the same composite to match signal needs
• Lengths: 1000 ft and 500 ft options
• Conductor identification: Color coding such as Black/Red/White/Green and paired sets including Black/Red, White/Green, Brown/Blue

Why industry professionals choose this composite access control cable

• Project efficiency: Consolidates multiple circuits into a single pull for repeatable door‑by‑door delivery
• Quality and consistency: Purpose‑built elements for power and data help maintain system performance across large deployments
• Cost control: Fewer pulls, fewer junctions, and faster terminations can reduce labor on multi‑door and multi‑site projects
• Serviceability: Clear conductor identification aids testing, documentation, and troubleshooting

Design notes

• Confirm conductor size and distance to meet device voltage requirements; consider inrush currents for locks and operators.
• Use shielded pairs for reader and low‑level data, with proper grounding at the controller end per manufacturer guidance.
• Non‑plenum constructions are intended for non‑air‑handling spaces; verify local code requirements for riser and plenum areas.
• For circuits governed by specific life‑safety codes, specify cable types designated for that purpose.

For security integrators, electrical contractors, and facility teams, these Security & Access Control Multi‑Conductor Composite Non‑Plenum 4‑Element Cables provide a practical, low‑voltage wiring solution that supports the full scope of a door opening—power, readers, contacts, and request‑to‑exit—while helping deliver consistent, scalable installations across commercial and industrial properties.

Frequently Asked Questions: Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Non-Plenum 4-Element (Construction 1) Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Non-Plenum 4-Element (Construction 1) Cables cable?

  18 AWG and 22 AWG. This composite includes 18 AWG unshielded conductors for power and 22 AWG overall-shielded twisted pairs for data.

• What other colors is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Non-Plenum 4-Element (Construction 1) Cables cable available in?

  Available color codes include: Black/Red/White/Green; Black/Red; White/Green; Brown/Blue.

• Is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Non-Plenum 4-Element (Construction 1) Cables cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  Stranded copper conductors. The composite incorporates both unshielded (UNS) and overall aluminum shielded (OAS) stranded elements.

• What length is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Conductor Composite Non-Plenum 4-Element (Construction 1) Cables cable sold in?

  Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire Security & Access Control cable in a standard 1,000 ft length. This item is also available in a 500 ft length.

• What are some distinctions between BAC NET, RS232 and RS485 Cables?
  • BACnet: An open building automation protocol. For BACnet MS/TP, cabling typically mirrors RS‑485 requirements (balanced 120‑ohm twisted pair, often shielded) with attention to segment length and termination.
  • RS‑232: Single‑ended, point‑to‑point serial communication for short runs. Generally uses a few conductors (TX, RX, GND), is more noise‑prone, and is not suited for multi‑drop networks.
  • RS‑485: Differential, multi‑drop bus supporting longer distances and higher noise immunity. Requires twisted pair with proper impedance (around 120 ohms) and termination; shielding is recommended in noisy environments.

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