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.