The Common Jacket Types Popular in Market

The world of networking cables is so diverse that there are various amounts of networking cables available in the market, and with each networking cable comes the numerous amounts of jacket types. According to that, I have decided to present the different jacket types to clarify the confusion between the different jackets.

First of all, a jacket is the outer sheath of the cable that protects the wire and the cable core from the different issues revolving around moisture, mechanical, flame, and chemical. Out of the numerous jacket types, the most commonly bought jacket types are CMP and CMR, also known as Plenum and Riser.

The Most Common Ethernet Cable Jackets

Fact: CMP is the only jacket type that is permitted in the Plenum Spaces

CMP denotes Communications, Plenum and is one of two top networking cable jackets for its fire strict properties which gives only this cable a permit to be used in the plenum spaces (construction spaces of the building i.e. air vents raised floors) of the building. CMP itself can replace any other jacket type and no other jacket type can fulfill the requirements of a CMP jacket type!

Fact: CMP can satisfy all of the other jacket types requirements; hence, it can replace any jacket type

CMR denotes Communications, Riser and is the second of the two top networking cable jackets which are used mostly in a the vertical setting, connecting the different floors of the building and sometimes in a horizontal setting from room to room if only the cable doesn’t pass the plenum space. This jacket type can be used instead of CL3R, CL2R, CATVR, CM, CMG, CL3, CL2, CATV, CMX, CL2X, CL3X,  and CATVX;  and just like for the other cables, CMP can replace this jacket too.

CM or CMG denotes Communications and are most commonly used as a commercial-grade communication cable which can substitute CL3, CL2, CATV, CL3X, CL2X, and CATVX. This cable is in-wall rated and is permitted for the usage of only 1 to 2 family residential riser applications.

CMX denotes Communications, Residential and is a residential grade jacket type. Such cables with this jacket type are limited to residential purposes or for other smaller applications where a very little amount of cables are used.

Cable TV Jacket Types for Video Cables (Community Antenna Television and Radio)

CATVP denotes Cable TV, Plenum and is the highest in the hierarchy. It befalls the category of Community Antenna Television and Radio Distribution Cables and can be used instead of any other cable in this category: CATVR, CATV, and CATVX.

CATVR denotes Cable TV, Riser and can be substituted for CATV, CATVX. Alongside CMP, CATVP and CMR can also satisfy the requirements of this cable.

CATV denotes Cable TV and can be substituted for CATVX. Alongside CMP, CATVP, CMR, CATVR, CM, and CMG can also satisfy the requirements of this cable.

CATVX denotes Cable TV, Residential where “X” is a residential suffix and this cable cannot be substituted for any jacket. Alongside CMP, CMP, CATVP, CMR, CATVR, CM, CMG, CATV, and CMX can also satisfy the requirements of this cable.

In a Plenum, the the cable must be rated CATVP; CMP, being higher rated, is a permitted substitution as well.

In a Riser, the requirements are a bit different.

For Riser: In one or two-family dwellings, CATV or CATVX may be used or any of the higher-rated substitutions: CM, CMG, CMR, CMP, CATVR, and CATVP. In a commercial building or multifamily dwelling, any of those cables are permitted if they are installed in metal raceways or located in a fireproof shaft having fire-stops at each floor. In those commercial buildings or multifamily dwellings, where there is no raceway or fire shaft, if the vertical run of the cable penetrates more than one floor, CATVR must be used or any of the substitutes: CMR, CMP, or CATVP.

Hierarchy of Video Cables

1. CATVP / Cable TV, Plenum
2. CATVR / Cable TV, Riser
3. CATV / Cable TV
4. CATVX / Cable TV, Residential

Class Jacket Types for Audio Interconnects and Speaker Wires

Class jacket types fall under the category of Audio Interconnects and Speaker Wires, and these jacket types exhume whether they can be installed in-wall or in other specific setting.

CL2 and CL3 are the only current Classes that are most commonly used today and they are referred to as Class 2 and Class 3. These classes are always suitable for in-wall installation but most of the times there is a suffix after the number that makes us wonder whether this change will be suitable for in-wall installation now? Well, it’s a maybe depending on the suffix.

CL2 and CL3 cables are typically used for low-voltage applications other than power or communications; such as speakers, audio/video signals, or computer data. These cables are designed to provide protection from both fire and electric shock. CL2 circuits are limited to up to 100VA of power at 30V, and up to 0.5VA between 30V and 150V. CL3 circuits can provide up to 100VA of power up to 150V. For most applications, CL3 cables can be installed in CL2 circuits, but CL2 cables cannot be used for CL3 circuits.

For now, CL3 can be substituted for CL2, CL3X, and CL2X. Alongside CMP, CL3P, CMR, CL3R, CM, and CMG can also satisfy the requirements of this cable. On the other hand, CL2 can be substituted for CL2X. Alongside CMP, CL3P, CL2P, CMR, CL3R, CL2R, CM, CMG, and CL3 can also satisfy the requirements of this cable.

Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 are for Remote-Control, Signaling, and Power-Limited Circuits.

CL3P denotes Class 3, Plenum and it is suitable for in-wall installation and so does CL2P denoting Class 2, Plenum. The prior of the two, because of belonging from the higher class, can be substituted for CL2P, CL3R, CL2R, CL3, CL2, CL2X, CL3X; whereas the latter of the to can only be a substitute for CL2R, CL2, CL2X. Alongside CMP, CL3P can also satisfy the requirements of CL2P.

CL3R denotes Class 3, Riser and as with the case of CL3P, this is also suitable for in-wall installation and the same goes for CL2R denoting Class 2, Riser. Where CL3R can be substituted for CL2R, CL3, CL2, CL3X, and CL2X, CL2R can be substituted for CL2 and CL2X. Alongside CMP, CL3P and CMR can also satisfy the requirements of CL3R; and CL3P, CMR, and CL3R can also satisfy the requirements of CL2R.

CL3X and CL2X denotes Class 3, Residential and Class 2, Residential, respectively; where the suffix “X” is a residential suffix signifying a lower grade than the plain jacket of the Class itself. Although CL2X and CL3X may be installed in raceways, but if they are under 1⁄4 inch diameter, they may only be installed in a 1 to 2 family a residential dwelling without a raceway.

In this, CL3X can be substituted for CL2X. Alongside CMP, CL3P, CMR, CL3R, CM, CMG, CL3, and CMX can also satisfy the requirements of this cable. As for CL2X, it cannot be substituted for any jacket. Alongside CMP, CMP, CL3P, CL2P, CMR, CL3R, CL2R, CM, CMG, CL3, CL2, CMX, and CL3X can also satisfy the requirements of this cable.

In a Plenum, CL2P or CL3P are required, and CMP is a permitted substitution.

In a Riser, it’s a bit different solution.

For Riser: If you’re in a single or two-family dwelling, CL2, CL3, CL2X, and CL3X may be used. In a commercial building or multifamily dwelling, any of those cables are permitted if they are installed in metal raceways or located in a fireproof shaft having fire-stops at each floor. In those commercial buildings or multifamily dwellings, where there is no raceway or fireproof shaft, if the vertical run of the cable penetrates more then one floor, CL2R or CL3R must be used or any of these substitutes: CMR, CMP, CL2P, or CL3P.

Hierarchy of Class Jacket Types

Class 3

1. CL3P / Class 3, Plenum
2. CL3R / Class 3, Riser
3. CL3 / Class 3
4. CL3X / Class 3, Residential

Class 2

1. CL2P / Class 2, Plenum
2. CL2R / Class 2, Riser
3. CL2 / Class 2
4. CL2X / Class 2, Residential

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Solid Cable vs. Solid Copper vs. Solid Copper UL

Patch, Cord and Ethernet cables fall into many categories. They all serve the purpose of linking up computing devices to construct a network. They are important components of any internet-bound system as data is transmitted over these precious but apparently very minor looking entities.

A cable streamlines the process of communication. Stronger connections between peers largely depend upon the type and quality of the cable. We will be discussing some of the salient features of three types of cables to ease out the task of a digital user and that of network developers.

CCA

The term CCA stands for Copper Clad Aluminum cable and also called Solid Cables. Solid cables are composed of two primary metals that are Copper and Aluminum. Copper forms an exterior sheath of insulation and supports the structure of the cable. Aluminum conducts electrical impulse and lies beneath the surface of Copper.

These cables have the following advantages over its competitors:

Lighter in weight:

Copper Clad Aluminum cables are lighter in weight in comparison to other series of interconnecting devices. This is a huge plus and bonus because they are easy to handle and can be transported over long distances with ease. Additionally, they won’t create much of a hassle during the process of construction of a network.

Saves money:

Sometimes the owners of the networks are too conservative in dealing with monetary issues of an organization. As network cables are considered lesser in value and essence in comparison to other computing apparatus, the owner naturally desists from spending much on cables. They became an optimum choice in such cases because it is less expensive in comparison to most of the other series of interconnecting devices.

Cat5e Solid Cables / Cat6 Solid cables do transmit data and electrical signals in a network but there are some of the negative aspects which must be considered before opting for them.

Overheating:

They can heat up easily once they are spread out over longer distances. They can handle the pressure up to a certain length, which in most cases is around 100 meters, but will give eventually during longer journeys. So there is every chance of data loss.

Less flexible:

They are vulnerable to damage once they are bent or twisted beyond certain limits. This exerts an extra amount of pressure on the user as he has to be over-conscious when handling CCA cable.

BARE COPPER

Bare Copper wires use pure copper to transmit data, sometimes the word Solid Copper Cable is also used. Solid Copper wires consist of a single strand of Copper to conduct data. Stranded Copper wire more than one strands of Copper which can be twisted depending upon the needs and requirements of the network.

Pure Copper cables have advantages which makes them a useful choice in constructing a network:

Ductility:

Copper cables are highly ductile which means it won’t deform under stress or application of force.

Conductivity:

Copper is a very good conductor and won’t easily heat up or degenerate. The chances of data losses are minimal with its use.

Disadvantages:

One of the most important disadvantages associated with the use of Copper wires is that it will corrode over a certain period of time. Copper is chemically active and reacts with atmospheric oxygen to form an oxide of iron which streamlines the process of rusting.

BARE COPPER UL

UL is a certification which approves a device for most convenient use. Underwriter Laboratories (UL) have listed down certain standards (parameters) to analyze the quality and productivity of a device.

UL certified Bare Copper Cables are ductile, tensile, electrically charged up, more explicit, sustainable, cost-effective, affirmative and supportive to accommodate multidimensional and massively built organizations and networks.

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