Liberty AV 18-2C-PSH-WHT 1000 ft. of Commercial-Grade General Purpose 18 AWG 2-Conductor Plenum Shielded Cable in White

Product Overview

The Liberty AV 18-2C-PSH-WHT is a 1000-foot reel of 18 AWG 2-conductor plenum-rated shielded cable for commercial AV signal distribution in air-handling spaces. The foil shield and drain wire provide EMI and RFI rejection, making this cable appropriate for environments where speaker or low-voltage signal cables run near power conductors, fluorescent lighting, or other interference sources. The NEC CMP and CEC CMP FT6 plenum ratings allow installation in return-air ceiling plenums without conduit. At 1000 feet, this reel supports full-floor or multi-zone deployments from a single pull.

Product Description

Commercial AV installations often route signal cables through spaces shared with HVAC equipment, ballasts, and power distribution—environments where unshielded cable picks up noise that degrades audio or control signal quality. The 18-2C-PSH-WHT addresses this with a full foil shield and drain wire that provides a continuous ground path, suppressing induced noise before it reaches sensitive inputs or speaker taps. The 7-strand annealed bare copper conductors maintain flexibility for routing around obstructions, and the plenum-rated PVC insulation and jacket satisfy NEC Article 800 requirements for open plenum installation.

At 18 AWG, this cable is appropriate for 70V speaker taps at moderate run lengths, instrumentation and control wiring, and Class 2/Class 3 low-voltage power distribution where shielding is required. The twisted pair configuration adds common-mode noise rejection in addition to the foil shield, providing two layers of interference protection. The 1000-foot reel is the standard bulk format for commercial installation projects, reducing reel changes and splice points in large deployments. White jacket color aids in identification and integrates with standard white ceiling infrastructure.

Key Features

• 18 AWG 7-Strand Conductors — Stranded annealed bare copper maintains flexibility for complex routing paths in commercial ceiling and wall spaces.
• Full Foil Shield with Drain Wire — Provides continuous EMI/RFI rejection for signal cables routed near power or interference sources.
• Twisted, Shielded Construction — Combined pair twist and foil shield delivers two-layer noise rejection for reliable signal integrity.
• NEC CMP Plenum Rating — Approved for installation in air-handling plenums without conduit, satisfying NEC Article 800.
• CEC CMP FT6 Rated — Meets Canadian Electrical Code requirements for plenum cable installations.
• Plenum-Rated PVC Insulation and Jacket — Low-smoke, flame-retardant materials rated for open air-return spaces.
• White Jacket — Integrates with white ceiling tile and grid systems; aids visual identification in multi-cable runs.
• 1000-Foot Reel — Standard bulk reel for commercial installations, minimizing splice points across large floor plates.
• RoHS Compliant — Meets EU hazardous substance restrictions.

Typical Applications

• Boardroom
• Conference Room
• House of Worship
• Government Space
• Commercial Meeting Space
• Multi-Purpose Room
• All-Hands Room
• Training Room
• Auditorium
• Broadcast Studio

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use shielded speaker cable instead of unshielded?

Use shielded cable when the cable path runs near sources of electromagnetic interference—such as fluorescent lighting ballasts, HVAC motors, power distribution panels, or other unshielded power cables. In clean commercial environments with well-separated low-voltage pathways, unshielded twisted pair is generally adequate. In mixed-use mechanical spaces or runs that cannot avoid proximity to interference sources, the foil shield in the 18-2C-PSH-WHT provides significant noise rejection.

How does the foil shield connect to ground?

The drain wire runs in contact with the foil shield throughout the cable length. At termination, connect the drain wire to the chassis ground or signal ground at one end of the run (typically the amplifier or controller end) to establish a single-point ground that drains induced noise. Grounding at both ends can create a ground loop, which may introduce 60Hz hum.

What is the CMP plenum rating and why does it matter for in-ceiling installation?

NEC CMP (Communications Multipurpose Plenum) is the highest fire-safety rating for low-voltage cable. It allows installation in air-handling plenum spaces—return-air ceilings and raised floors—without the need for conduit. Building inspectors require CMP-rated cable in these spaces because standard PVC (non-plenum) jackets release toxic smoke when burned, which would circulate through the HVAC system.

Is 18 AWG sufficient for 70V speaker runs?

18 AWG is appropriate for moderate-length 70V speaker runs, typically up to 75–100 feet depending on total tap load. For longer runs or higher-power applications, consider 16 AWG or 14 AWG cable. Always calculate the expected resistive drop based on run length and total tap impedance to verify performance.

Can this cable be used for instrumentation and control wiring in AV systems?

Yes. The shielded twisted pair construction is appropriate for low-level control signals, RS-232/RS-485 control runs, and balanced audio signal distribution at moderate distances. The foil shield reduces noise pickup on sensitive control lines.

Does this cable meet Canadian code requirements?

Yes. The CEC CMP FT6 rating satisfies Canadian Electrical Code requirements for plenum cable installations, making it approved for use in commercial AV projects in both the US and Canada.

What is the 1000-foot reel format useful for in commercial installations?

The 1000-foot bulk reel allows installers to run continuous home runs from a central equipment room to distributed speakers or devices without mid-run splices. This reduces termination points, maintains signal integrity, and speeds installation time on large floor plates or multi-room deployments.