Common Jacket Ratings   

CMP cables are plenum cables; these cables are used if networking must be done in air ducts. They can be used for commercial or residential spaces. They will not combust and cannot actually cause fires.   CMR cables are riser cables. These are used for regular networking from room to room, as long as the cable does not need to pass through an air duct.   CM/CMG are the most commonly used commercial grade communication cable.
CMX is a residential grade cable. Such cables are limited to residential or other small applications where the number of communication cables used is very little.    

C(UL) Certifications | UL & CSA Equivalents
UL/NEC-Approved cables may also be C(UL)/CEC-Approved as communications cables meeting the requirements of the Bi-National Standard CSA C22.2 No. 214/UL 444 and Section 60 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CEC). The C(UL) cable designation (and its meaning) would be one of the following:

1. CMP — Cable meeting CSA FT6 or NFPA 262 (UL 910);
2. CMR — Cable meeting UL 1666, CSA FT4
3. CMG — Cable meeting CSA FT4
4. CM — Cable meeting UL 1685 (UL 1581, Sec. 1160) Vertical-Tray, CSA FT1
5. CMX — Cable meeting UL 1581, Sec. 1080 (VW-1), CSA FT1
6. CMH — Cable meeting CSA FT1

For exact technical specifications of see  FT1, FT2, FT4, FT5 and FT6 Cable Certifications

Rating    Usage 
CMP All in-wall, plenum and riser applications.

 CMR,CL3R, CL2R  

All in-wall and riser applications; not permitted in plenums.

CM, CMG, CL2 

In-wall rated; permitted in 1-2 family residential riser applications, or in riser with raceway/fireproof shaft; not permitted in plenums

 

Cable Rating Description May be substituted for: Other ratings that will satisfy the requirement:
CMP Communications, Plenum CL3P, CL2P, CATVP, CMR, CL2R, CL3R, CATVR, CM, CMG, CL2, CL3, CATV, CMX, CL2X, CL3X, CATVX None
CATVP Cable TV, Plenum CATVR, CATV, CATVX CMP
CL3P Class 3, Plenum CL2P, CL3R, CL2R, CL3, CL2, CL2X, CL3X CMP
CL2P Class 2, Plenum CL2R, CL2, CL2X CMP, CL3P
CMR Communications, Riser CL3R, CL2R, CATVR, CM, CMG, CL3, CL2, CATV, CMX, CL2X, CL3X, CATVX CMP
CATVR Cable TV, Riser CATV, CATVX CMP, CATVP, CMR
CL3R Class 3, Riser CL2R, CL3, CL2, CL3X, CL2X CMP, CL3P, CMR
CL2R Class 2, Riser CL2, CL2X CMP, CL3P, CMR, CL3R
CM or CMG Communications CL3, CL2, CATV, CL3X, CL2X, CATVX CMP, CMR
CATV Cable TV CATVX CMP, CATVP, CMR, CATVR, CM, CMG
CL3 Class 3 CL2, CL3X, CL2X CMP, CL3P, CMR, CL3R, CM, CMG
CL2 Class 2 CL2X CMP, CL3P, CL2P, CMR, CL3R, CL2R, CM, CMG, CL3
CMX Communications, Residential CL3X, CL2X, CATV CMP, CMR, CM, CMG
CATVX Cable TV, Residential None CMP, CATVP, CMR, CATVR, CM, CMG, CATV, CMX
CL3X Class 3, Residential CL2X CMP, CL3P, CMR, CL3R, CM, CMG, CL3, CMX
CL2X Class 2, Residential None CMP, CL3P, CL2P, CMR, CL3R, CL2R, CM, CMG, CL3, CL2, CMX, CL3X

 

This white paper is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. Cablek makes no guarantees, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information found in this document.