Liberty AV 500' Black Commercial Grade General Purpose 16 AWG 2-Conductor Plenum Cable Reel

Product Overview

The Liberty AV 16-2C-P-BLK-500 is a 500-foot reel of 16 AWG 2-conductor plenum-rated unshielded speaker wire for commercial AV installations in air-handling spaces. The NEC CMP and CEC CMP FT6 ratings allow in-ceiling and in-wall installation without conduit in return-air plenums, meeting fire code requirements under NEC Article 800. The black jacket color provides visual differentiation from white-jacketed cables in shared ceiling spaces, supporting color-coded cable management practices common in commercial AV installations. This cable is appropriate for 70V distributed speaker systems, standard 8-ohm speaker connections, and Class 2/Class 3 low-voltage power distribution.

Product Description

The 16-2C-P-BLK-500 uses stranded annealed bare copper conductors covered with plenum-rated PVC alloy insulation. The conductors are twisted to reduce common-mode noise pickup in shared cable trays or J-hook runs, and the plenum-rated PVC jacket meets low-smoke, flame-retardant requirements for air-handling spaces. At 16 AWG, this cable handles typical commercial speaker home runs in the 50–100 foot range for 8-ohm loads, and longer runs for 70V constant-voltage systems where the transformer ratio manages impedance.

For AV integrators deploying distributed audio in commercial spaces, the 500-foot reel is practical for single-room or multi-zone installations where 14 AWG would be over-specified and the project does not require a 1000-foot bulk spool. The black jacket is preferred by integrators who color-code by circuit type—for example, white for control, black for speaker—or where aesthetics in exposed cable runs require a darker jacket. RoHS compliance and CEC FT6 certification support procurement requirements for US and Canadian commercial projects. This is a general-purpose, commercial-grade speaker cable that meets the specifications for boardrooms, conference rooms, houses of worship, and similar commercial AV environments.

Key Features

• 16 AWG Stranded Conductors — Annealed bare copper provides low DC resistance for speaker runs up to approximately 100 feet on 8-ohm loads.
• NEC CMP Plenum Rating — Approved for installation in air-handling plenums without conduit, satisfying NEC Article 800 fire code requirements.
• CEC CMP FT6 Rated — Meets Canadian Electrical Code requirements for plenum installations.
• Twisted, Unshielded Construction — Pair twisting reduces common-mode noise without the added cost and termination complexity of a foil shield.
• Plenum-Rated PVC Alloy Jacket — Low-smoke, flame-retardant outer jacket for open plenum air spaces.
• Black Jacket Color — Enables color-coded cable identification in commercial installations with multiple circuit types.
• 500-Foot Reel — Practical bulk quantity for single-room or targeted multi-zone speaker deployments.
• RoHS Compliant — Meets EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances requirements.
• 70V and 8-Ohm Compatible — Handles both constant-voltage distributed audio and direct-coupled speaker loads.

Typical Applications

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

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 16 AWG appropriate for 70V distributed speaker systems?

Yes. 16 AWG is widely used for 70V speaker home runs in commercial spaces at typical run lengths of 50–150 feet, depending on tap load. The constant-voltage 70V distribution system manages impedance through the tap transformer at each speaker, so the primary concern is resistive loss in the cable. Calculate expected voltage drop based on total run length and total tap impedance to confirm 16 AWG is adequate for your system.

What is the practical difference between the 16-2C-P-BLK-500 and the 14-2C-P-BLK-500?

The 14 AWG version has lower DC resistance per foot and handles higher currents, making it more appropriate for longer runs or higher-load 8-ohm systems. The 16 AWG version is sufficient for most commercial speaker installations under 100 feet and is lighter and easier to pull in conduit or through ceiling space. Select based on your calculated run lengths and load requirements.

Why does this cable have a CMP plenum rating when it's being used in a standard commercial ceiling?

Most commercial building ceilings above the tile are air-return plenums—the same space that circulates conditioned air back to the HVAC system. NEC requires CMP-rated cable in these spaces because standard PVC jackets produce toxic smoke when burned, which would circulate through the air system. CMP cable uses a low-smoke, flame-retardant jacket approved for this environment.

Can I use this cable for Class 2 power distribution?

Yes. 16 AWG 2-conductor plenum cable is appropriate for Class 2 and Class 3 low-voltage power distribution within the current and voltage limits defined by NEC Article 725. Confirm that your specific application falls within those limits before use.

Does the black jacket color affect electrical performance?

No. Jacket color is a cosmetic and organizational attribute only. The black 16-2C-P-BLK-500 and white 16-2C-P-WHT versions are electrically identical. Color selection is based on installation practice, color-coding standards, or aesthetic requirements.

Is this cable approved for both US and Canadian commercial projects?

Yes. The NEC CMP rating covers US installations and CEC CMP FT6 covers Canadian Electrical Code requirements. Both ratings are printed on the cable jacket for field verification during inspections.