Safety Certifications

Certifications exist to ensure that products are meeting or exceeding the requirements of a region’s safety codes, while also ensuring that they meet the technological requirements necessary for their installations. This protects consumers against a range of issues, including electric shock, burns, and electric arcing.

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The Dangers of Counterfeit Cable

The video below shows why it's so important to know exactly what you're buying when purchasing communications cable. It shows the results of burn tests that the Communications Cable & Connectivity Association (CCCA) had done at UL on both compliant cable and counterfeit cable purchased on the open market. Visit CCCAssoc.org to find out how you can be sure you are buying compliant cables.

Certification Bodies

The safety guidelines in the USA are described in the National Electric Code (NEC), created by the National Fire Protection Association. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approves certifying bodies, called Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs), to test for adherence to these codes.

UL

Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL Mark) is probably one of the most recognized ratings company in the US, Underwriters Laboratories is an NRTL that certifies, tests, and inspects wire and cable based on their Standards for Safety. These Standards are largely built off of the NEC articles written by the NFPA.

ETL

The ETL Mark is proof of product compliance to North American safety standards. Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) across the US and Canada accept the ETL Listed Mark as proof of product compliance to published industry standards. Retail buyers accept it on products they're sourcing.

CSA

The CSA Group offers you global solutions for product testing & certification that help streamline your access to markets in North America and around the world. By choosing to work with CSA Group, you will benefit from our high level of technical expertise that comes from not only testing products but developing the standards they are tested against.

CE

A mandatory conformity marking for certain products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1985. The CE marking is also found on products sold outside the EEA that are manufactured in, or designed to be sold in, the EEA. It is in that sense similar to the FCC Declaration of Conformity used on certain electronic devices sold in the United States.

RoHS

A directive written and implemented by the European Union to prevent the generation of hazardous waste. Any cable that is compliant follows the guidelines listed by the EU under the Reduction of Hazardous Substances Directive, and contains no lead, cadmium, mercury, hexacalent chromium, polybrominated biphenysis, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

Certifications

The safety guidelines in the USA are described in the National Electric Code (NEC), created by the National Fire Protection Association. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approves certifying bodies, called Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs), to test for adherence to these codes.

Click or tap the certifications below to find out more.

CL3

General Purpose – Power-Limited Circuit Cables (PLTC), this is the rating primarily used for your multi-conductor, stranded cables such as alarm wire, speaker wire, and control cables.

CL3P

Plenum – Designed for installation in a duct, a plenum space, or other spaces that will be used to transport environmental air without being enclosed in a raceway.

CL3R

Riser – Designed for installation in a vertical shaft, or for installations where the cables will penetrate more than one floor.

CL3X

Limited Use – Cables for limited use in unconcealed spaces where the exposed length of cable does not exceed 3.05m (10 feet).

CM

General Purpose – In-wall rated cables designed to be installed where neither Plenum nor Riser cables are required.

CMP

Plenum – Designed for installation in a duct, a plenum space, or other spaces that will be used to transport environmental air without being enclosed in a raceway. Not for outdoor use or exposure to elements.

CMG

General Purpose – In-wall rated cables designed to be installed where neither Plenum nor Riser cables are required.

CMR

Designed for all in-wall and riser applications that do not include plenum or other air-handling spaces.

CMX

Outdoor – This cable has been designed and tested for use in outdoor locations. Before approval, this cable goes through rigorous heat/cold testing as well as sunlight resistance on the outer jacket. Only a cable marked as Type CMX – Outdoor is designed for outdoor exposure.

FT1

Vertical Flame Test – This is the most basic CSA flame test rating, and is equivalent to the CM flame test ratings.

FT4

Vertical Flame Test – This is the most common CSA flame test rating, and is equivalent to UL CMR.

FT6

CSA Flame Test Rating – This is the most rigorous CSA flame test rating, and is equivalent to CMP.