Deciding the type of cable you are going to use for your house deeply affects your living style and the durability of the house and appliances.  The two main types of cables in use these days and that people wish to select from are plenum and Non-Plenum Cables. Cat6 Plenum Cables can be selected once you know the benefits. This brief guide will tell you all about the difference between Plenum Cables and non-plenum cables.

The first thing is that Plenum Cables and non-plenum ones refer to the type of coating that protects the actual cable. This is especially important to prevent the spread of fire, toxic smoke and other hazards inside a building.

What are the Plenum Cables?

Plenum spaces of the building are the separate spaces provided for air circulation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning or also the space between the structural ceiling and drop-down ceiling. A raised floor may also have a plenum space in between. Plenum Cable is the type of cable that is laid inside the plenum spaces around the building. Cat6 Plenum Cables are made with less hazardous and lower smoke materials to prevent fire and the spread of fire. It is basically designed to restrict the spread of flames and to limit the amount of smoke. The traditional PVC cables produce more smoke, while the Plenum Cables produce much lesser smoke. Plenum Cables are particularly beneficial from the safety point of view in the plenum spaces left out in schools and hospitals.

What are the Mon-Plenum Cables?

Non-plenum cables are the type of cables that are used in non-air circulating areas. Non-plenum cables also work to prevent fires from spreading floor to floor in vertical installations. But it should be remembered that they are not as good as the plenum cables in stopping the spread of fire and smoke as plenum cables are made with less hazardous and lower smoke materials.

Which cable should be chosen?

Plenum and non-plenum cables are both designed for separate purposes and serve different kind of needs. Plenum cables come with a special and extra coating on the wire, so they offer the strictest flame ratings, but also come at a higher cost. Cat6Plenum Cables usually helps to prevent the spread of flame and fire and reduce the amount of smoke produced. But, plenum cables may prove difficult while installation and may need professionals to install them correctly. But these cables offer the best safety when used in commercial and residential areas or hospitals.

While the non-plenum cables can be used in risers of commercial buildings and come at a lower cost. The both Type of Cables offer very similar data transmission rates.

The thing that actual determines whether you need plenum cables or non-plenum ones is the demand and budget.

If you are looking for a cable that will offer the ultimate safety and security from fire hazards and the spread of smoke and fire around the building, then the best choice is Cat6 Plenum Cables.