Is thermostat wire plenum rated?

Is thermostat wire plenum rated?

Plenum-rated thermostat wire is electrical cable that has been rated to run through the air-circulation spaces in buildings, usually located between the structural and suspended ceiling or under a raised floor. It is used to connect thermostat controls to a main power circuit via the ceiling or floor.

What gauge wire is used for thermostats?

18 gauge
The most common thermostat cabling is 18/5 (18 gauge, 5 conductor), because 5 conductors typically offer enough functions for a modern thermostat/low voltage device.

Is CL2 thermostat wire plenum rated?

Q:Is this wire plenum rated? A: No. The above advice is based upon the current edition of the National Electric Code (NEC). Free access to the latest version of the NEC is available online at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

What voltage is 18 2 thermostat wire rated for?

150-Volt
Brown 18/2 Thermostat and Bell Cable is rated to 150-Volt and is classified as class-2 power-limited circuit cable. This thermostat and bell cable offers solid copper conductors with PVC insulation.

Can I use stranded wire for thermostat?

Nest thermostats don’t support stranded wires, they require solid-core copper wires.

Is it OK to splice thermostat wire?

If you have to, you can splice the thermostat wire and generally, if the splicing has been done correctly, the thermostat’s function will not be affected. And as thermostats normally only need low-voltage power there are no safety regulations that prohibit the use of spliced thermostat wire.

What is CL2 wire used for?

CL2 is the designation for Class 2 Circuit wire and CL3 is the designation for Class 3 Circuit wire. Both are regulated under NEC Article 640, 725 & 820. They are both used for Video, Audio Interconnects, remote-control, signaling, and power-limited circuits.

Is Cat5e plenum rated?

Product Description This Gray Bulk Cat5e is offered in 1000-foot pull boxes. It is unshielded twisted pair (UTP) that is plenum rated (CMP).

Can I use Ethernet cable for thermostat?

Yes! And in some cases, with certain types of equipment and certain types of thermostats, it can be beneficial by eliiminating the possibility of RFI.

How many amps can thermostat wire handle?

The thermostat wire is sized for mechanical durability, not for current carrying capacity. Codes may require the circuit to be Class 2, 30 volts and 100 VA maximum, usually 24 volts and no more than 4 amps. It could be much less than 4 amps and most of the capacity may be required for the relays in the HVAC unit.

Can I use speaker wire for thermostat?

Typical “thermostat wire” is a NEC/UL type CL2 cable, just like your speaker wire says it is, so as a replacement for an 18/2 thermostat cable, this will work just fine.

How many amps can an 18 gauge wire carry?

A conservative estimate for several feet of 18 gauge wire is 16 Amps. If you have only 12 gauge wire, the 18 gauge wire can handle more than 16 Amps.

Can 18 gauge wire handle 15 amps?

A conservative estimate for several feet of 18 AWG (American Wire Gauge) wire is 16 Amps. However, length plays an important role in the amount of Amps a wire can carry. If you have only 12 inches of wire, the 18 gauge wire can handle more than 16 Amps.

Do thermostat wires need to be in a junction box?

It is not required, but it can be a good idea. Personally, I would prefer them to be in conduit (e.g. ENT/smurf tube) with splices in junction boxes. Just like with electrical wires, it will protect them from damage while providing accessibility for splices.

Can I extend a thermostat wire?

What is plenum rated cable?

Plenum rated cable has a special insulation that has low smoke and low flame characteristics. Plenum cable is mandated to be installed in any “air handling” space. For example, most large office buildings use the ceiling to return air to the AC unit.

Which wire type can you run in a plenum?

Plenum cables are coated with flame retardant and made using special plastics that don’t smoke nearly as much as other plastics to help prevent this problem. Any cable that you run through plenum spaces must be plenum rated, even wiring used for information transfer, like Cat5 wiring.

Does Lowe’s sell thermostat wire?

Common wire, also known as a thermostat C wire, is a crucial component for smart thermostats, allowing for 24/7 display and Wi-Fi capabilities. At Lowe’s, we carry thermostat wire in various configurations and lengths for your installation project.

What type of cable is used for thermostat control?

Southwire thermostat cable is class 2 power-limited circuit cable for use in thermostat control applications. Add the length desired in feet as your quantity and add to cart

What size wire do I need for a thermostat?

For instance, thermostat wire labeled 18/5 — meaning 18 gauge and 5 conductors — is suitable for a 5-wire thermostat and contains the thermostat common wire you’ll need for smart capabilities. Use 18/2 wire for more straightforward systems, such as furnaces, alarms and bells.

What is Southwire thermostat cable used for?

Southwire thermostat cable is class 2 power-limited circuit cable for use in thermostat control applications.