What Does “Plenum” Actually Mean?
The term “plenum” is frequently used in the cable industry. But what exactly does it imply? It has the ring of some mysterious anatomical term. Maybe some kind of membrane or bodily fluid. But, thankfully, “plenum” isn’t one of those vile terms. So, what exactly is it? Let’s look up a few definitions first. Let’s take a look at this.
Plenum – a space, usually above or below a floor, that can be used as a receiving chamber for heated or cooled air to be distributed to occupied areas. Plenum means “full space” at its most basic level, and most of its various definitions refer to a completely separate confined environment that is separated from its surroundings.
It’s the space above a building’s dropped ceilings or below a raised flooring system that’s used for heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (often shortened to “HVAC”), for using terminology that our likely reader base will understand. Consider when and why you’ll need plenum cable whenever you go out and buy it.
This article may provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about plenum cables. Cat6 Plenum cables are referred to by a variety of terms and standards. Recognizing what goes where and when to use the right cable is critical for safety and electrical code compliance.
This blog post will focus on one of those aspects, Plenum cable. We’ll go over what a plenum cable is and When to Use a Plenum Cat6 cable.
What Does All of This Have to Do with Cabling?
So, what role do cables play in all of this? My friend, you’ve posed an excellent question. Plenum spaces are commonly utilized to help house telephone and network communication cables that are being run from one location to another, in addition to routing air. Plenum cables like cat6 solid copper are the appropriate term for these cables. What distinguishes these wires and cords from ordinary cables?
Another excellent question. The response is that they must follow specific fire-safety regulations. Plenum cables must meet the standard for flammability and smoke density underlined in Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) testing methods, according to Article 800 of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Plenum-rated cables employ special types of plastics in their jacket coatings to achieve this increased fire resistance. Flame-retardant, low-smoke materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fluorinated ethylene polymer (FEP), or polyolefin offer good fire resistance and do not emit large amounts of harmful fumes if they do catch fire. This is a win-win situation!
But why is that?
Why is all of this necessary? Plenum cables are run through the air circulation spaces that frequently have few fire barriers. They must be coated with a material that will not aid in the spread of flames. Furthermore, network and communications cabling are typically distributed throughout buildings (to ensure everybody is linked to everybody). Having them ignite would ensure that the flames and smoke spread much more quickly.
