What Should You Know About Ethernet Cable Jacket Ratings?


Ethernet cables are crucial for secure and reliable network infrastructure, and beneath is a simple plastic sheath that lies underneath the wire for better network safety. Most businesses focus on speed and category and ignore the jacket rating, which builds the fire hazard into your infrastructure. 

Ethernet cable jacket rating ensures ethernet cable installation services, which prevent the spread of flames in riser space to ensure safe airflow in plenum areas. These ratings are more than just jargon, as they are the first line of defense for your network safety. So before you decide on other cables, unravel what things to know about Ethernet cable jacket ratings. 

Table of Contents

  • Introduction

  • What are Ethernet cable jacket ratings?

  • Types of Ethernet Cables: Jacket Ratings

  • Plenum vs. Riser Cabling

  • Tips to Protect Ethernet Cable Outside for the Future

  • Conclusion

What are Ethernet cable jacket ratings?

The Ethernet cable jacket rating is the outer covering of the cable, which protects the inner conductor and shielding from physical damage, chemicals, moisture, and other environmental factors. Ethernet cable rating not only offers protection but also plays a crucial role in meeting safety standards and performance requirements. 

The material used and rating of the Ethernet cable jacket determine the suitability of specific applications, whether they are used for outdoor, indoor, or industrial use. They are also available in different ratings and used for specific applications and purposes according to different environments. They are made of quality material, which includes PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is ideal for indoor Ethernet cables.

Types of Ethernet Cables: Jacket Ratings

Here are the following types of Ethernet cable jacket ratings to choose for your business needs. 

  1. Plenum Rated (CMP cable)

In commercial building construction, low-voltage wiring contractors installed the HVAC system in the plenum. The plenum area is the best spot for installing cabling, and as convenient as this seems, it brings special consideration when related to fire and toxic smoke. The plenum area is a great way to channel fire and resultant smoke from one building to the next building quickly. Various Ethernet cable types are fire protected, detect smoke when burning, and have low toxicity. 

  1. Communication Multipurpose (CM)

The communication multipurpose is a basic jacket rating that is suitable for general-purpose applications such as in-room installation and patch cables. They are generally used in residential settings or single-story commercial buildings. They are not designed for plenum or riser spaces. They have in-wall-rated cable, and the goal is to prevent fire from traveling along the cable from one part of the building to another. 

  1. Communication Multipurpose Riser (CMR)

This type of jacket rating is designed for vertical cable runs between floors in building risers. These cables are designed to prevent fire from spreading between floors. CMR cables are more flame resistant as compared to CM cables. These installations are in risers or vertical shafts between floors of the building. They test to show they are sufficiently flame retardant to prevent fire from spreading from one floor to another. 

  1. Communication Multipurpose Exterior (CMX)

The CMX jacket ratings are designed for outdoor use, as these cables are resistant to moisture, sunlight, and temperature variations. CMX-rated jackets are not fire-rated but UV-rated, which have different rules governing how they are installed. These cables are exposed to temperature variation for short distances from the network interface device on the outside to the point where the cable can easily enter the business. 

Plenum vs. Riser Cabling

Each cable type has its own characteristics, and it is still a wonder which is best for any specific application. Here are the ultimate differences between plenum and riser cabling jacket ratings.

  • Fire rating: The plenum cables need a fire rating due to their use in an HVAC system, which has an increased possibility of encountering fire and oxygen-rich environments. The riser cables are better to use in settings that prevent the spread of toxic gases, and smoke is not critical due to low fire ratings. 

  • Protective jacket: The protective jacket is both riser and plenum cable, which usually consists of PVC, whereas the plenum type combines PVC compounds with other materials possessing high fire resistance. 

  • Burn emission: Plenum cables can still burn if they catch fire, as low-smoke jackets ensure fewer emissions are released into the air and also enable a slower burn. 

  • Location: Riser cabling can be placed between building walls and in other non-plenum environments, such as elevator shafts. Plenum cabling is used for areas with high air circulation, such as air ducts, and is generally found in large public facilities like airports with high safety measures. 

  • Cost: Plenum non-fiber cables tend to be more costly than third-party riser cabling due to additional costs on materials to make cabling plenum-rated. The plenum fiber optic cables may be close in price to riser cables, and additional materials are not needed. 

Tips to Protect Ethernet Cable Outside for the Future

The ethernet cable must be protected outdoors in the future, and ethernet cable installers must follow important tips to ensure they are safe and protected from external environmental conditions.

  • The ethernet cable must be designed specially for outdoor use, so ethernet cable installers opt for “outdoor-rated” cables that are UV resistant and can withstand sun exposure. 

  • Ethernet cable installation services are used underground using PVC conduit to protect from the elements. 

  • The Ethernet cable installers must seal the connection using weatherproof sealant or waterproof tape that prevents any moisture or heat intrusion.

  • The Ethernet cable must be regularly maintained and inspected to prevent damage such as abrasion, cracks, etc., especially in exposed wires that can be used in severe weather.

  • Ethernet cable installers address any issue quickly to prevent it from being damaged or disrupted.

Conclusion

Ethernet cable jacket ratings are not just another technical specification but are crucial for safety measures, a silent guardian against potential fire hazards. Understanding CMR, CM, CMP, and CMX is not just optimal for network performance but also for investment in the long-term safety and compliance of your installation. 

So don’t let a simple cable jacket cost you overnight; take time and choose wisely, for the network and building are wired for safety. 

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