CM — Cable meeting UL 1685 (UL 1581, Sec. 1160) Vertical-Tray, CSA FT1

Cable Substitution Hierarchy as per C22.2 #214 — Communication Cables

The following cable substitution may be used:

A. Communication cables marked MPP, CMP, MPR, CMR, MPG, CMG, MP, CM, CMX, CMH, FT6, and FT4 have been found to meet the standard criteria for FT1.

B. Communication cables marked MPP, CMP, MPR, CMR, MPG, CMG, and FT6 have been found to meet the standard criteria for FT4.

C. Communication cables marked MPP and CMP have been found to meet the standard criteria for FT6.

 

Knowledge Base:

Question: What's the difference between Cat 5, Cat 5e and Cat 6? Can I use one in place of another?

Answer: The difference is in the bandwidth ratings. Cat 5e has a higher bandwidth than Cat 5. Cat 6 has a higher rating than Cat 5e.

They all use RJ45 connectors and are usually interchangeable depending on the bandwidth requirements of your devices.

Question: What's the difference between UTP and STP? Are these cables shielded?

Answer: UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pairs. STP stands for Shielded Twisted Pairs.

The Ethernet standard uses data packet transmission and error correction. Unlike streaming data transmission, this standard simply buffers and repeats until it has a complete instruction set which compensates data transmission errors.

Since UTP was cheaper in the beginning, it generally became the standard. If you are using the cables for Ethernet connections, either should work. If you are using for a stream data system like video transmission, the shielded should be used.

Question: What's the difference between "Solid" and "Stranded"?

Answer: "Solid" vs. "Stranded" refers to the structure of the individual conduits in the cable. They can be a single solid wire or several thinner stranded wires. It's generally a matter of personal preference which ones you use. Solids are easier to crimp connectors onto.

Question: What are the difference between the various in-wall ratings? (CMG, CMR, CMP)

Answer: In-wall ratings have to do with the burn characteristics of cabling and have no direct effect on the functional performance of the cables.

CMG is for general in-wall use. It is equivalent to CL2 & CL3. It is for general commercial and residential in-wall installation applications.

CMR is riser rated cable. These are suitable for situation where cable is passed from one floor of a structure to another.

CMP is for Plenum and is the highest in-wall rating. Plenum cables are specifically designed to go into the Plenum areas of commercial building where air circulation systems are. Plenum cables are formulated so they do not produce toxic gases as they burn.

While it is okay to use a higher rated cable in lower level applications, you should not do it the other way around.

Question: This cable is listed as being "bare copper", does that mean it has no cable jacket or insulation?

Answer: The "bare copper" refers to the construction of the conductors, as specified in the following reference:

Section 5.3 of TIA-568-C.2 requires compliance with ANSI/ICEA SS-90-661-2006 and ANSI/ICEA S-102-732, which both include the following: "Solid conductors shall consist of commercially pure, annealed, bare copper ..."

http://www.cablinginstall.com/index/display/article-display/4838983421/articles/cabling-installation-maintenance/news/network-cable/cat6/2011/3/CCCA-CDA-warn-against-copper-clad-aluminum-cables.html

The problem is that some manufacturer's cut costs by using Copper Clad Aluminum wire for their conductors. The aluminum has a higher resistance, which causes more heat and can thereby present a fire hazard. "Bare copper" is the term used in the National Electrical Code, Underwriters Laboratories, and the Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA). Our use of the term is intended to communicate our total compliance with their standards for Ethernet cable construction.