16/2 CL3P, CMP Plenum Rated, Shielded, Stranded, Bare Copper Conductors, White, 500ft, Pull Box

Description

16/2 CL3P CMP Plenum Shielded Cable – Professional EMI-Protected Wire for Security and Access Control

16/2 CL3P CMP plenum shielded cable is the go-to choice for security installers and AV integrators who need EMI protection in air-handling spaces. This 500ft white pull box delivers 16AWG stranded bare copper conductors, an aluminum foil shield, and a CL3P/CMP dual-rated jacket — purpose-built for door controllers, proximity sensors, keypads, smoke detectors, and sound systems in commercial plenum environments.

Furthermore, this cable meets the fire safety requirements defined under NEC Article 800 for CMP-rated Communications Multipurpose Plenum cable (nofollow). As a result, it is fully approved for installation in HVAC return-air ducts, suspended ceiling plenums, and any air-handling space where low-smoke, flame-retardant cable is mandated by code. Consequently, contractors, integrators, and AHJs can approve this product with complete confidence on any inspected commercial job site.

Key Features of Our 16/2 CL3P CMP Plenum Shielded Cable

• EMI Shielding for Interference-Free Signal Transmission: The defining feature of this 16/2 CL3P CMP plenum shielded cable is its aluminum foil shield surrounding both conductors. This shield blocks electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) from adjacent cables, HVAC motors, and building automation equipment. Moreover, shielding is essential for reliable signal integrity in access control, proximity sensor, and keypad circuits that run near power wiring in commercial ceilings.
• 16AWG Stranded Bare Copper Conductors: Two 16AWG stranded bare copper conductors deliver superior conductivity and flexibility throughout the cable’s service life. Stranded construction allows the cable to route easily through crowded ceiling spaces and around framing without fatiguing or breaking. Additionally, bare copper outperforms copper-clad aluminum (CCA) in both conductivity and long-term corrosion resistance.
• CL3P and CMP Dual-Rated Plenum Jacket: The white jacket carries both CL3P (Class 3 Plenum) and CMP (Communications Multipurpose Plenum) ratings, verified under UL 13 for plenum cable materials and construction standards (nofollow). This dual certification satisfies NEC Articles 725 and 800 simultaneously, giving inspectors and AHJs maximum flexibility when classifying the installation. In other words, a single spool covers every plenum and riser inspection scenario.
• Confirmed Applications — Security and Low-Voltage Systems: This cable is specifically rated and field-proven for door controllers, proximity sensors, keypads, access control systems, smoke detectors, and sound systems. As a result, it functions as a true multipurpose security rough-in cable for low-voltage contractors managing all of these systems on a single commercial project.
• Low-Smoke Flame-Retardant White Jacket: The white PVC outer jacket is engineered to resist flame propagation and emit minimal toxic smoke in fire conditions. Furthermore, the white color blends cleanly into drop ceiling environments and supports color-coded circuit identification for easier maintenance and troubleshooting.
• 500ft Pull Box Packaging: The 500ft pull box delivers enough cable for multiple security or audio circuit runs on a single commercial floor. Additionally, the pull box format provides tangle-free payout during active ceiling pulls, reducing installation time and improving cable management on high-density jobs.
• ETL Listed Certification: This cable carries ETL or UL listing, confirming compliance with applicable US safety standards for plenum cable. Therefore, it is accepted on government, institutional, healthcare, and commercial job sites where listed cable documentation is required by the project specifications.
• Versatile Indoor Low-Voltage Wiring: Beyond security applications, this 16/2 CL3P CMP plenum shielded cable is suitable for paging systems, intercom circuits, and background music zones where shielding is specified to prevent audio hum or interference. Consequently, it is a versatile stock item for integrators who standardize on shielded plenum cable across all low-voltage disciplines.

Why Choose This 16/2 CL3P CMP Plenum Shielded Cable for Your Installation?

The shielded construction of this 16/2 CL3P CMP plenum shielded cable is what sets it apart from standard unshielded alternatives. In commercial buildings, security and access control circuits frequently run parallel to power conduits, lighting ballasts, and HVAC motor wiring — all of which generate electromagnetic interference that can cause false triggers on proximity sensors, keypad malfunctions, or erratic door controller behavior. The aluminum foil shield on this cable provides a continuous barrier against these interference sources, ensuring clean, reliable signal transmission from the first installation day forward. Moreover, the shield drain wire allows the foil to be grounded at one end, which further eliminates ground-loop noise on sensitive low-voltage circuits. For the complete range of plenum-rated security and audio cables by gauge, browse our Speaker and Security Cable collection (DoFollow).

The CL3P/CMP dual rating on this 16/2 CL3P CMP plenum shielded cable provides code flexibility that single-rated products cannot match. CL3P satisfies NEC Article 725 for power-limited Class 3 circuits — the standard classification for access control and security alarm wiring. CMP satisfies NEC Article 800 for communications wiring in the same plenum spaces. Therefore, a single SKU covers both classifications in one install, eliminating the need to stock separate cable types for each discipline. In contrast, standard CM or CL3 cable is never acceptable in plenum spaces and must be removed and replaced at significant cost if flagged during final inspection. Additionally, the ANSI/NFPA 90A standard governing air-handling space materials (nofollow) requires that all cables in plenum environments carry a CMP rating — this product meets that requirement without compromise.

At 16AWG, this cable is ideally sized for the short-to-medium circuit runs typical of access control and security systems — generally 25 to 100 feet between the controller panel and the device. Furthermore, the 500ft pull box is the right quantity for a multi-device security rough-in on a single floor. For longer audio runs or higher-power speaker circuits, step up to our 14/2 CL3P CMP Plenum Wire 1000ft (DoFollow), which provides both greater gauge capacity and double the footage for larger floor plates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is shielding important on a plenum security cable, and when should I specify it?

Shielding should be specified on any low-voltage circuit that runs near sources of electromagnetic interference — including fluorescent and LED lighting ballasts, HVAC motor wiring, and other Class 1 power-limited circuits in commercial ceilings. This 16/2 CL3P CMP plenum shielded cable uses an aluminum foil shield that wraps both conductors, blocking external EMI and RFI from coupling into the signal conductors. Unshielded cable in these environments can cause false alarms on smoke detectors, erratic behavior on proximity sensors, and intermittent door controller faults that are difficult to diagnose after installation. Therefore, specifying shielded plenum cable from the start eliminates a common and expensive callback issue for security integrators. As a general rule, shield any run longer than 25 feet that passes within 12 inches of power wiring or motorized HVAC equipment.

Q: Is this 16/2 CL3P CMP plenum shielded cable suitable for door access controllers and proximity readers?

Yes — door controllers and proximity (prox) readers are among the primary confirmed applications for this 16/2 CL3P CMP plenum shielded cable, as noted directly in the product’s feature list. Door controllers and prox readers require low-voltage DC circuits that are highly sensitive to induced interference, making the aluminum foil shield critical for reliable operation. Additionally, the 16AWG bare copper conductors provide sufficient current capacity for the 12VDC and 24VDC supply circuits commonly used in access control readers and electric strike locks. The CMP/CL3P plenum jacket ensures the cable is fully compliant for installation in the air-handling ceiling spaces above card readers and door frames in commercial buildings. Consequently, this cable can be used for both the data signal run to the reader and the power circuit to the electric strike in a single two-conductor run.

Q: Can this cable be used for both smoke detectors and background music in the same building?

Yes — the CL3P/CMP ratings and 16AWG shielded bare copper construction make this 16/2 CL3P CMP plenum shielded cable suitable for both smoke detector circuit wiring and background music distribution within the same commercial building. Smoke detector wiring circuits classified as power-limited under NEC Article 760 can use CL3P-rated cable in plenum spaces. Background music and paging amplifier circuits classified as power-limited Class 3 under NEC Article 725 also accept CL3P-rated shielded cable. Furthermore, the shielding on this cable prevents the audio hum and 60Hz interference that commonly affects music distribution runs that share ceiling pathways with power wiring. As a result, a single SKU can be procured and stocked for both applications on projects where the same integrator handles AV and life-safety systems.

16/2 CL3P CMP plenum shielded cable from 52Networks delivers EMI protection, certified fire safety, and stranded bare copper reliability for every commercial security and low-voltage installation. Order today and receive a 500ft pull box ready for your next plenum ceiling project.