Cables
Electrical cable carries power or signals between equipment, and its construction (conductor, screen and sheath) decides what it can carry and where it can go. This collection covers the signal and low-voltage side of the range, including Belden audio, data, coaxial, control and alarm cable, Securi-Flex and SFX alarm, BS 5308 instrumentation and network cable, and Mercury speaker, coax, telephone and flex cable.
Choosing Cables
Choose cable by the signal it carries, the installation it goes in, and the sheath the location needs.
By signal
Coaxial cable carries video: RG59 for CCTV, including RG59 shotgun cable with 2-core power, and Belden 1694A for SDI broadcast video. Network cable carries data, in Cat5e and Cat6 U/UTP. Alarm cable, such as the SFX 8-core screened Type-3 alarm cable, links detectors to a panel, and Figure 8 speaker cable carries audio.
Screened and multi-pair
Screened cables, such as Belden multi-pair and the SFX ISP3 individually foil-screened pairs, protect signals from interference. BS 5308 instrumentation cable, such as the Securi-Flex SFX/BS5308-PT1-TY1-2P-1.5-LSZH-D-BL, carries control and telemetry signals in pairs.
Sheath and location
LSZH and LSF sheaths give off less smoke if burned and suit escape routes and public buildings. PE-jacketed and armoured (SWA) cables, such as the SFX Cat5e armoured network cable, are for outdoor and buried runs.
| Cable | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| RG59 coax | Mercury 808.101UK | 75 Ohms, solid OFC, 100m |
| SDI coax | Belden 1694A.00305 | 305m |
| Cat6 U/UTP | SFX C6-UTP-LSZH | LSZH, 305 m reel |
| Armoured Cat5e | SFX/C5-UTP-SWA-PE-BLK | SWA, black PE |
| Alarm cable | SFX/8C-TY3-SCR-LSF-WHT-100 | 8-core screened, LSF |
| Speaker cable | Mercury 801.050UK | Figure 8, 100m |
Conductors and reel lengths
Conductors are stated per product: solid copper or OFC for longer and more demanding runs, and CCA (copper clad aluminium) on economy cables. Most cable here comes on 100m, 305m or 500m reels, with some armoured cable sold per metre.
Brands we stock in cable
Belden, Mercury, Securi-Flex, CQR, SFX Cables, Aritech, CIE Group, Rhino Guard, Abloy, BTicino by Legrand, Comelit PAC, AV:Link, BPT, Fermax, Vanco and Videx. Belden supplies the most cable.
Related categories
Shop by type: coaxial cable, flexible cable and speaker cable. Not sure which cable you need? See our Help & Support guides.
Frequently asked questions
Which cable do I need for CCTV?
Analogue HD cameras use coaxial cable, commonly RG59, and shotgun cable such as the Mercury 808.105UK combines RG59 coax with 2-core power in one sheath. IP cameras use Cat5e or Cat6 network cable, which can also carry PoE power to the camera.
What is LSZH cable?
LSZH means low smoke zero halogen: the sheath gives off little smoke and no halogen gas if it burns, which matters in escape routes and enclosed public spaces. SFX Cat5e and Cat6 LSZH reels and Securi-Flex BS 5308 cable in this range use LSZH sheaths.
What is the difference between Cat5e and Cat6 cable?
Cat5e and Cat6 are both network cables with four twisted pairs. Cat6 is built to a higher bandwidth, such as the 250 MHz stated on the SFX Cat6 armoured cable, and suits faster networks, while Cat5e remains common for CCTV and general data runs.
What is BS 5308 cable?
BS 5308 is the British standard for instrumentation cable, used for control, telemetry and monitoring signals, often in industrial sites. Securi-Flex BS 5308 Part 1 Type 1 cables in this range come in 1, 2 and 5 pair versions with LSZH sheaths on 100m reels.
Can network cable be run outside?
Use a cable with an outdoor sheath. PE-jacketed cables such as the Mercury 808.010UK Cat5e outdoor cable resist weather, and armoured SWA versions such as the SFX Cat5e and Cat6 armoured cables add mechanical protection for buried or exposed runs.
What is CCA cable?
CCA stands for copper clad aluminium, an aluminium conductor with a copper coating, used in economy cables such as some Mercury Figure 8 speaker cable and RG59 coax. Solid copper or OFC conductors, such as on the Mercury 808.101UK, suit longer or more demanding runs.
What is shotgun cable?
Shotgun cable combines RG59 coax for video with a 2-core power cable in one sheath, so a single run feeds an analogue CCTV camera. Shotgun cables here include the Mercury 808.105UK. Rhino Guard RG59 shotgun cable has 2×0.5 mm power on a 100 m reel, and Securiflex RG59 + 2 power cable comes on 250 m.
Which cable is used for burglar alarms?
Multi-core alarm cable connects detectors, keypads and sirens to the alarm panel. Belden burglar and shielded alarm cables in this range come on 100m, 305m and 500m reels. Examples are the 4306UE.00305 burglar alarm cable and the 4502FLW.00500 shielded alarm cable, which screens the signal from electrical interference.
Why buy from West Midlands Electrics
- Established 1975
- Birmingham trade counter
- UK-only supply
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