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Alarm & Signal Cable

Alarm and signal cable carries the low-voltage wiring between alarm panels, detectors, keypads, sounders, door entry and control equipment. The range covers multicore alarm cable with core counts such as 4, 8 and 12, screened and unscreened, with PVC, LSF or halogen-free sheaths. Alongside it are multi-pair instrumentation and serial data cable, access control cable, screened multicore for door entry, bell wire and bus cable, on reels such as 100m, 305m and 500m.

Choosing Alarm & Signal Cable

Work out the circuits the cable must carry, then choose the screening, the conductor and the sheath.

Core count and cable type

Core counts here include 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, such as the Aritech WC104W, CQR CABS6/WH/100, CQR CABS8/WH/200 and SFX OSC10. BS4737-3.30 names the alarm cable types: the unscreened CQR CAB8HF/WH/100 is made to Type 1 and the screened CQR CABS8/WH/100/PR to Type 2. The Securi-Flex SFX/12C-TY2-SCR-DB-PE-BLK-100 is a 12-core Type 2 alarm cable with tinned copper conductors.

Copper or CCA conductors

Copper-clad aluminium (CCA) is the lower-cost conductor: the CQR CABCCA8/WH/100M is designed for domestic and small commercial installations, and the Mercury 808.205UK is an economy 8 core cable with tinned CCA conductors. The CQR CAB8/WH/100/PR has 100% copper cores and states EN50575 CPR certification.

Sheath and fire performance

PVC-sheathed cable such as the Aritech WC108W is made for internal or external wiring of warning systems. Low smoke and fume (LSF) versions such as the CQR CAB8/WH/LSF/200 cut the smoke a burning sheath gives off, and low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) cable such as the CAB8HF/WH/100 is used where people and equipment must be protected from toxic and corrosive gas.

Data, bus and bell wiring

For RS-485 links the Belden 9841NH.00305 is designed for the purpose, and the 4-pair Belden 9844NH.00305 adds an overall Beldfoil shield and a braid. The Securi-Flex SFX/ACCESS-1-LSZH-D-PUR-100 combines 9 cores and 3 screened pairs for access control systems, the Securi-Flex SFX/OSC10-LSZH-D-GRY-100 is screened multicore for uses that include door entry systems, and the Mercury 808.207UK figure 8 bell wire serves electrical bell circuits.

Belden supplies the most cables on this page.

CableExampleConstructionNotes
Unscreened alarm, Type 1CQR CAB8HF/WH/1008 coresLSZH, 100m drum
Screened alarm, Type 2CQR CABS8/WH/100/PR8 cores, screenedPVC, 100m drum
Economy alarmMercury 808.205UK8 cores, tinned CCAWhite PVC, 100m
Access controlSecuri-Flex SFX/ACCESS-1-LSZH-D-PUR-1009 cores and 3 pairsLSZH, purple
RS-485Belden 9844NH.003054 twisted pairsLSZH, braid shield
Bell wireMercury 808.207UK2 cores, copper clad steelWhite PVC, 100m

Related categories

This cable is part of our electrical cable and wire range. For the system it connects see burglar and intruder alarms and alarm panels, for mains flex see flexible cable, or read our Help & Support guides.

Brands we stock in Alarm & Signal Cable

Abloy, Aritech, Belden, BPT, BTicino by Legrand, CQR, Mercury, Securi-Flex, SFX Cables and Videx.

Frequently asked questions

How many cores should alarm cable have?

Enough for the circuits at the furthest device plus some spare cores, and core counts here include 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. The CQR CABS6/WH/100 is 6-core, the CQR CABS8/WH/200 8-core and the Securi-Flex SFX/12C-TY2-SCR-DB-PE-BLK-100 12-core. Spare cores make it easier to add a tamper circuit or change a device later without pulling in new cable.

Should I use screened or unscreened alarm cable?

Use the type your installation specification calls for, because BS4737-3.30 lists them separately. The unscreened CQR CAB8HF/WH/100 is made to Type 1, and the screened CQR CABS8/WH/100/PR to Type 2. For signal runs, Belden multi-pair cables such as the 8723.00100 have individually Beldfoil-shielded twisted pairs for reduced interference.

When should I choose LSZH or LSF alarm cable?

Choose LSZH where toxic and corrosive gas from burning cable must be kept away from people and equipment, as with the CQR CAB8HF/WH/100. Low smoke and fume versions such as the CQR CAB8/WH/LSF/200 are the other reduced-smoke option, and Securi-Flex cables such as the SFX/8C-TY1-LSZH-D-WHT-200 carry an LSZH sheath. Check what the building or specification requires.

What is the difference between CCA and copper alarm cable?

CCA cable has copper-clad aluminium conductors and costs less than copper cable. The CQR CABCCA8/WH/100M is a low cost CCA alternative to copper intruder cable for domestic and small commercial installations, and the Mercury 808.205UK uses tinned CCA. For copper conductors, the CQR CAB8/WH/100/PR has 100% copper cores.

Which cable should I use for an RS-485 link?

Use twisted-pair cable made for RS-485, such as the Belden 9841NH.00305, which is designed for RS-485 applications on a 305m reel. The Belden 9844NH.00305 has 4 twisted pairs of 24AWG tinned copper with an overall Beldfoil shield, a braid shield and an LSZH jacket. Check the pair count the equipment maker specifies.

What is figure 8 bell wire used for?

Figure 8 bell wire is two-core cable for electrical bell circuits. The Mercury 808.207UK has solid copper clad steel conductors in a white PVC sheath on a 100m reel. For door entry wiring, screened multicore such as the Securi-Flex SFX/OSC10-LSZH-D-GRY-100 lists door entry systems among its uses, and the Videx CM2 is a bus cable on a 100m reel.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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