Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Cables

Summary: Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Cables

Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire low-voltage cable in the United States for our customers who demand reliable performance in commercial and industrial security environments. Our Security & Access Control multi-pair cables are built to support card readers, keypads, door contacts, REX sensors, mag locks, controllers, and panel-to-device home runs with consistent signal integrity and efficient installation. By combining multiple circuits in a single cable, you can streamline pulls, simplify terminations, and standardize your access control and security wiring across projects.

SmartWire Security & Access Control multi-pair cables are available in plenum (CMP) and riser (CMR) constructions and in key sizes such as 22 AWG and 18 AWG to match run length, power requirements, and device needs. Shielding choices include each-pair shielded (EPS) and non-shielded options to address EMI/RFI conditions and maintain reader and controller performance. All stock SmartWire cables include SmartWire Glide lubrication applied to the jacket during manufacturing to reduce pull friction by up to 70%, helping installers move faster and protect cable during installation.

Why teams choose Windy City Wire for security and access control cable:

• Purpose-built low-voltage security cable for commercial and industrial access control systems.
• UL Listed CMP (plenum) and CMR (riser) options to meet building code requirements.
• Shielding options: each pair shielded (EPS) and non-shielded to fit site conditions and device sensitivity.
• Available AWGs: 22 and 18 for signal lines and power-limited door hardware circuits.
• SmartWire Glide lubrication standard on every cable to reduce friction and support faster, safer pulls.
• Jacket color and stripe options available; ask about custom colors and striping to match your standards.
• Available lengths: 1000 ft and select constructions in 500 ft to suit project needs and reduce waste.

Count on Windy City Wire for products and solutions that help you deliver clean, serviceable installations, from controller enclosures to field devices, with the cable performance and consistency your team expects.

Available Constructions

• 22 AWG 2 Pair Bare Copper Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: Individually shielded pairs for noise-sensitive reader and panel circuits in plenum spaces; white jacket with Black-Red/White-Green pair colors and RoHS compliance.
• 18 AWG 2 Pair Bare Copper Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: Individually shielded pairs that support longer runs and power-limited door hardware where lower resistance is required.
• 18 AWG 3 Pair Bare Copper Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: Each pair shielded (EPS) to isolate critical circuits such as card readers, REX, and locks within one cable for simplified routing.
• 22 AWG 6 Pair Bare Copper Plenum (CMP) Low-Voltage: Non-shielded multi-pair design for dense terminations between panels and zones in typical EMI environments.
• 22 AWG 2 Pair Bare Copper Non-Plenum Riser (CMR) Low-Voltage: Individually shielded pairs for riser pathways and device drops where plenum ratings are not required; UL Listed CMR.
• 22 AWG 3 Pair Bare Copper Non-Plenum Riser (CMR) Low-Voltage: Each pair individually foil shielded with a gray jacket and green stripe; conductor pairs in Black/Red, Green/White, Brown/Blue for clear identification.

Applications

• Access control systems: card readers, keypads, door strikes, mag locks, and request-to-exit devices.
• Panel-to-field home runs, multi-device drops, and zone wiring for security and building entry systems.
• Power-limited control and signaling circuits requiring plenum (CMP) or riser (CMR) compliance.

Project Value

• Multi-pair efficiency reduces the number of pulls, speeds installation, and cuts labor.
• Shielding where you need it to maintain signal integrity and reduce troubleshooting.
• Right-size conductors (22 AWG, 18 AWG) to balance distance, voltage drop, and device requirements.
• Code-compliant plenum and riser options across common pair counts to standardize specifications.
• SmartWire Glide lubrication on every jacket to support smoother, faster installs.

Talk with Windy City Wire about standard and custom SmartWire jacket colors and striping to support your security cabling standards and simplify identification across sites.

Solutions: Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Cables

Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Cables

Windy City Wire multi-pair cables are designed for professional security and low-voltage integrators who need reliable, code-compliant performance for door access, intrusion detection, intercom, and building automation interfaces. These cables consolidate multiple device connections into a single pull, reduce pathway congestion, and help standardize installations across projects and sites.

Where Multi-Pair Security & Access Control Cables Fit

• Electronic access control: card readers (Wiegand or OSDP), keypads, REX devices, door contacts, request-to-enter, and electric locks/maglocks power and monitoring
• Intrusion and perimeter security: zone loops, glass-breaks, motion sensors, gate controls, and auxiliary relays
• Intercom and entry systems: audio pathways and control pairs for door stations and tenant stations
• Video support functions: PTZ control, serial interfaces, relay triggers, and telemetry (non-Ethernet)
• Building systems integrations: elevator control interfaces, door interlocks, RS-485 data buses for OSDP or BACnet MS/TP, and general low-voltage signaling

Key Construction Options

• Pair counts for common door and zone configurations: 2-pair, 3-pair, and 6-pair to consolidate readers, contacts, REX, and lock control into fewer home runs
• Available AWGs: 18 AWG and 22 AWG to balance distance, voltage drop, and device power needs
• Shielding choices: Each Pair Shielded (EPS) and non-shielded designs to manage electrical noise and crosstalk
• Plenum and riser options: UL Listed C(UL)US CMP for air-handling spaces and CMR for vertical risers and general building pathways
• Compliance: RoHS Compliant constructions for broad commercial and industrial use
• Lengths: 1000 FT standard, with select options also available in 500 FT

When to Choose Shielded vs. Non-Shielded

• Use individually or each-pair shielded constructions when combining sensitive reader/data pairs with higher-current lock power to mitigate interference
• Favor shielded cable for OSDP or other RS-485 data runs, noisy electrical environments, or long parallel runs near motors, VFDs, or fluorescent/LED drivers
• Use non-shielded in quieter environments where pairs are separated from power conductors and run lengths are moderate

Selecting 18 AWG vs. 22 AWG

• 18 AWG: Better for door hardware power, longer runs, or devices with higher current draw to reduce voltage drop
• 22 AWG: Well-suited for readers, contacts, REX, and data/control signaling where current is minimal and distances are shorter

Common Use-Case Configurations

• Single door bundle (2–3 pair): one pair for reader/data, one pair for door contact/REX, and a third pair for lock control/monitoring
• Multi-function door (3–6 pair): adds request-to-enter/exit, DPS/tamper, or auxiliary I/O without additional home runs
• Controller or sub-controller networks: RS-485 multi-drop segments for OSDP, controller-to-controller links, and elevator I/O control pairs

Industries and Facilities We Serve

• Commercial offices, corporate campuses, and high-rise buildings
• Healthcare, labs, and life sciences facilities
• Education: K–12, higher education, and research centers
• Industrial manufacturing, utilities, and energy
• Warehousing, logistics, and distribution centers
• Retail, hospitality, and entertainment venues
• Transportation hubs, parking facilities, and public infrastructure
• Government, municipal, and public safety buildings

Installation and Project Planning Benefits

• Fewer pulls and penetrations: consolidate door and device wiring into a manageable, repeatable bundle
• Cleaner pathways: reduce conduit fill and simplify cable management in trays and risers
• Standardized door kits: align pair counts and gauges to your door hardware standards to streamline labor and service
• Flexible specification: choose CMP for plenum areas and CMR for risers to stay code-compliant

Compatibility and Best Practices

• Supports common formats and signaling: Wiegand, OSDP (RS-485), dry contacts, relays, and low-voltage power
• Run data pairs away from high-voltage and high-current conductors; use bonded grounds for shielded versions per manufacturer guidance
• Confirm local code requirements for life-safety applications; these communication-grade cables are not a substitute for dedicated fire alarm cable types where required
• Verify device current and distance to select appropriate AWG and shielding; follow access control panel and hardware manufacturer recommendations

Why Spec Windy City Wire Multi-Pair for Security & Access Control

• UL Listed C(UL)US CMP and CMR constructions to fit your plenum and riser needs
• Choice of 18 or 22 AWG, with shielded and non-shielded options to match reader, lock, and controller requirements
• 2, 3, and 6-pair configurations that align with common door and zone layouts and reduce total material and installation time
• RoHS Compliant materials that meet modern environmental and procurement standards
• Available in 1000 FT and select 500 FT lengths to suit project scope and staging

From single-door openings to campus-wide access control and integrated security, Windy City Wire multi-pair security cables provide a dependable, code-conscious foundation for professional installations.

Frequently Asked Questions: Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Cables cable?

  22 AWG and 18 AWG options are available across select multi-pair constructions and shielding types (individually shielded or non-shielded).

• What other colors is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Cables cable available in?

  Available conductor color codes include: Black-Red/White-Green; Black/Red, White/Green, Brown/Blue; Black/Red, White/Green, Blue/Brown; Black/Red, White/Green; Black/Red, Green/White, Brown/Blue. Custom SmartWire jacket and stripe colors can also be made to your standards—contact Windy City Wire for details.

• Is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Cables cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  These SmartWire cables use bare copper conductors. Most control and access installations specify solid conductors for fixed runs, while stranded options may be available on select items for added flexibility. Confirm conductor construction per the specific part number.

• What length is this SmartWire Security & Access Control Multi-Pair Cables cable sold in?

  At Windy City Wire we manufacture and stock SmartWire Security & Access Control cable wire in 1,000 ft length as our standard length. Select items in this category are also offered in 500 ft lengths.

• What are some distinctions between BAC NET, RS232 and RS485 Cables?

  - BACnet: A building automation protocol; when used as BACnet MS/TP it rides on an RS-485 physical layer and typically calls for a 120-ohm, low-capacitance twisted pair (often 22–24 AWG). Pair counts may increase when power or additional control lines are run alongside.
  - RS-232: Single-ended, point-to-point signaling for short distances; commonly uses multi-conductor control cable with at least one twisted pair and a common reference. Shielding is recommended to limit noise; impedance control is less critical than with RS-485.
  - RS-485: Balanced, differential bus supporting multi-drop networks over longer distances; best with 120-ohm, low-capacitance twisted pair (1–2 pairs depending on direction/control needs). Shielded constructions improve noise immunity in electrically noisy environments.

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