plenum vs. riser rated

[ericsherman37]

What is the difference between plenum rated and riser rated cable? What about just regular ol' stuff?

 

[TOOL_5150]

What is the difference between plenum rated and riser rated cable? What about just regular ol' stuff?

Riser can be used in walls.. etc. Only plenum can be used in a place such as a drop celieng, that is used as way to transport air.


~Matt

 

[TOOL_5150]

Riser can me used in walls.. etc. Only plenum can be used in a place such as a drop celieng, that is used as way to transport air.


~Matt

ALso - Plenum can be used anywhere riser is required, but you can not use riser where plenum is speced.


~Matt

 

[ericsherman37]

I believe I heard somewhere that the plenum rated stuff has some sort of property where it won't produce as much, or less toxic, smoke if there's a fire. Is that correct?

From what I understand from tool5150, you can use plenum cable for riser cable applications PLUS air spaces?

 

[hbiss]

Got a code book I hope? Read Art 725 and 800, pay attention to the hierarchy tables.

-Hal

 

[nhfire77]

I believe I heard somewhere that the plenum rated stuff has some sort of property where it won't produce as much, or less toxic, smoke if there's a fire. Is that correct?

From what I understand from tool5150, you can use plenum cable for riser cable applications PLUS air spaces?

Yes less toxic smoke and a higher ignition tempature

Riser in plenum No
Plenum in Riser yes
Placing cable in a duct itself, no

Riser is used when a cable travels between more than one floor.

A plenum, for example, is the space between the drop ceiling grid/tiles and the roof/ceiling, when, this is used for the return air of HVAC system, this is not inside ducting itself.

 

[LarryFine]

Fire spread along the cable is a factor, too.

 

[nhfire77]

Fire spread along the cable is a factor, too.

Exactly, Riser( plenum too ) cable will only allow only so much flame spread up the cable, hence you can run it floor to floor and it "should" not allow the cable to trace fire up.

 

[MAK]

Plenum cable sucks in cold spaces. The jacket cracks really easily.

 

[hbiss]

That's why there is cable that is cold temperature rated, suitable for installation below 32 deg F.

-Hal