Components
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Cable Flame Ratings Reference Guide
Cable re ratings need to be considered when specifying cabling infrastructure to ensure local building codes are
met. The below rating guide provides the information needed to determine which rating is appropriate for different
installation environments.
Plenum (CMP)
A plenum is dened as any enclosed area that facilitates environmental air handling. Examples include air conditioning
duct or an air routing drop ceiling. However, a plenum can be any air space between walls, under oors, or above
non-air handling dropped ceilings if duct work is not sealed correctly. Plenum cables are held to the most stringent
testing of any of the cables rated by the NEC, rated for both ammability and smoke generation.
Riser (CMR)
Riser cables do just what their name suggests, they rise between oors. Riser cables may also penetrate either
re-rated walls or oors. The cables are subjected to ame tests only, and are not held to as high of a standard as
Plenum-rated cables. Plenum cables may be substituted for riser.
General Purpose (CM)
General purpose cables may be used anywhere in commercial buildings other than areas where riser or plenum
cables are required. The cables are ame tested and held to a lower standard than either riser or plenum cables.
Both plenum and riser rated cables are acceptable substitutes for general purpose rated cables.
General Purpose (PVC)
General purpose PVC cables may be used anywhere in commercial buildings in EMEA other than areas where UL
rated or LSZH rated cables are required. These general purpose PVC cables are ame tested to IEC 60332-1 and
held to a lower standard than UL rated or LSZH rated cables.
Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH)
Low smoke zero halogen cables have been developed to eliminate toxic gases produced when a cable’s jacket burns.
They are recommended for use in enclosed areas with little ventilation or in areas where sensitive equipment could be
damaged. Required in many situations by European standards, it’s an indicator of the jacket and insulator chemical
makeup. In addition to the tests below, these cables must pass IEC 60754 and IEC 61034.
LSZH -1
Meets IEC 60332-1 test for vertical ame propagation for a single insulated wire or cable.
LSZH - 3
Meets IEC 60332-3 test for vertical ame spread of vertically-mounted bunched wires or cables..
Outside Plant Cable (OSP)
Outside Plant (OSP) cables have been developed to provide an extension of the LAN beyond the premises or in
situations where local building codes require an OSP-rated cable when the cable is in direct contact with earth and
whether protected by conduit or not. These cables typically have a UV-resistant and abrasion resistant jacket and
contain a gel and/or waterblocking tape which prevents water ingress.