Special CAT 5 for in wall?

I looked around for stuff listed specifically as in-wall at Home Depot / Lowes (and a little online), but didn't find it. What I bought was called "riser cable" which was listed as being used for vertical runs / between floors. To me, that implies it is for use in-wall. I think that Cat5 is low enough voltage that it probably doesn't require additional insulation to reduce the risk of fire. I could be TOTALLY wrong, but thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

Thanks affeking, That's sort of what I figured.

I also just used Cat 5e riser cable

sorry, it's against most fire codes. You want "Plenum" grade cable. Instead of a plastic outer that normal cable has (flammable) is has a fire retardant plastic of somesort. It looks and feels "softer" and somewhat like it was coated in powder or dust. No shine.


Cat 5 *shouldn't* start a fire, but the plastic outer is guarenteed to keep it going. Light a piece on fire and see for yourself how plastic burns and melts everywhere.

My understanding is that plenum is only required in commercial buildings where the cable will be ran in areas that also are involved in moving HVAC air through them. Riser cable is fine in-wall in a residential setting.

Yup... plenum rated UTP is only required in a dropped ceiling environment where that space is used as an air return (that space is the plenum). Regular PVC is fine to run in the wall.

Quote:
Yep.


Plenum is for inside HVAC returns and ducts or inside false ceilings like others have said. Plenum is more for commercial apps.