Heat-Rated Low-Voltage Cable for fireplace?

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I work for a low-voltage contractor that installs audio, video and home automation systems. My question centers on low-voltage cable used to trigger a turn-on switch in a gas fireplace. A little background forst:

Our client, who wants our automation system to turn on and off their gas fireplace (an insert in a brick fireplace), had their fireplace installation company install an ON/OFF switch. The switch has two connection contacts that, when shorted, turn on the fireplace. Our automation system has an internal relay that will short the contacts when the homeowner wants the fireplace turned on, and it will open the relay when the fireplace is turned off. The switch and electrical contacts on the switch sit inside of the fireplace some 8" from the open flame.

As I mentioned, my question centers on the wire used for this application. We commonly use CAT6 cable for low-current control signals. However, because the wire would be very close to the flame, and because of the higher than normal heat present at the switch location, is CAT6 cable suitable for this type of installation, or is there a high-temperature low-voltage wire/cable sommonly used for these types of applications?

Any help is appreciated.
 
See Allied's product here for plenum rated fire alarm and control cable. The non-MC has a max temperature of 105 degrees C, but I don't know if that's continuous or not.
 
Most Plenum cables are rated up to 165 degrees...but not for very long.

CI (Circuit Integrity) 2-hour rated is used for fire alarm survivability and has a much higher rating...We use these two mfrs, Draka and Tyco Thermal...

These are UL tested in intense fire for up to 2 hours followed by direct hose stream without coming apart...It's not cheap though up to 2 bucks a foot.


http://www.drakausa.com/marketPage.aspx?ID=4

http://www.tycothermal.com/assets/A.../Datasheets/2812/H57774_RaychemCI_DS_1208.pdf
 
Correct me if I'm wrong but haven't electrical controls for gas fireplaces been around forever? Sounds like you are reinventing the wheel here. And CAT6 for the control wiring???

-Hal
 
We typically use CAT-type cable for most low-current control signals because it's well suited for those applications, as well as for a whole host of other applications in our world. Those applications include, line-level audio, standard and HD analog video, HDMI, RS-232, infra-red...etc. Of course, most of those applications require the use of baluns. But, to answer the question, yes, we use CAT6 cable for control.

But, this project was the first time we'd encountered a control valve for a gas fireplace installed close to the open flame. And that's what's given me such hesitation to use CAT-type cable, plenum or not. It seems to me that there has to be some type of high-temperature wire designed specifically for this application.

Any thoughts?
 
We typically use CAT-type cable for most low-current control signals because it's well suited for those applications, as well as for a whole host of other applications in our world.

Your world? My answer to that is I would have to get my shotgun from my truck if I ever saw you wiring a fireplace gas valve with CAT6. Wouldn't want you to multiply.

What does the fireplace manufacturer's instructions say as to what wiring is needed? Ever read them?

-Hal
 
use the same rating wire that is currently in place for the valve to trip second relay module that you can wire into your automation there by isolating it from the fireplace.
 
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