Summary: Security cables play a crucial role in modern safety systems, ensuring reliable connections for alarms, access control, surveillance, and fire detection. Choosing the right type of cable is essential for system performance and compliance with safety standards. This guide explores the various types of these cables, including fire alarm cables, alarm wire, access control cables, card reader cables, OSDP cables, and Wiegand cables, helping professionals select the best options for their security infrastructure.

Security systems rely on high-quality cabling to ensure uninterrupted communication between sensors, alarms, and control panels. With the rise in smart security solutions, the need for specialized security cables has grown. The right cables provide durability, signal integrity, and fire resistance, making them essential for homes, businesses, and industrial applications.

Types of Security Cables

1. Fire Alarm Cables: Ensuring Safety in Emergencies

Perhaps the most critical of all security cables, fire alarm cables are designed to ensure the continuous operation of fire alarm systems, even during a fire. These cables must adhere to stringent fire safety standards and are typically constructed with:

  • Fire-resistant and flame-retardant materials
  • Plenum-rated and riser-rated options for compliance
  • Available in shielded and unshielded versions

Fire Alarm Cables Applications: 

  • Commercial and residential fire alarm systems
  • Smoke and heat detectors
  • Emergency communication systems

Their reliable performance is paramount for life safety in any building. Ask an Expert at Remee for tailored recommendations and guidance on choosing fire alarm cables

2. Alarm Wire: Reliable Transmission for Security Systems

Often used for basic security alarm systems, alarm cable is typically lighter gauge and less robust than fire alarm cable, but still designed for security applications. Key features of an alarm wire include:

  • Multi-conductor configurations for various security applications
  • Shielded versions to reduce interference
  • UL-listed options for compliance

Alarm Wire Applications:

  • Intrusion detection systems
  • Motion sensors and contact alarms
  • Perimeter security wiring

Alarm wire is commonly used for connecting door and window sensors, motion detectors, and basic alarm system components in residential and small commercial settings. It’s a cost-effective solution for standard alarm system wiring.

3. Access Control Cable: Securing Entry Points

This control cable is specifically designed for access control systems, which manage and restrict entry to buildings or areas. These cables need to support both power and data transmission for various access control devices. Key characteristics of access control cable include:

  • High-quality insulation and jacketing for long-term durability
  • Shielding to protect against interference and signal loss
  • Available in composite cable options for multiple functions

Access Control Cable Applications:

  • Electronic door locks and keypads, 
  • Biometric access systems
  • Security gates and turnstiles

4. Card Reader Cables: Supporting Secure Identification

A specialized type of access control cable, these cables are specifically designed for connecting card readers to access control panels and systems. These cables are engineered to ensure reliable data transmission for accurate and fast card reading. Key features of card reader cables often include:

  • Low capacitance for accurate signal transmission
  • Twisted-pair conductors for noise reduction
  • Fire-rated jacket materials for safety

Card Reader Cables Applications:

  • Corporate and government ID access systems
  • Parking lot entry controls
  • High-security areas requiring credential verification

5. OSDP Cable: Enhancing Secure Communication

Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) cable is used for a more advanced and secure communication protocol between access control devices, panels, and systems. OSDP offers significant advantages over older protocols like Wiegand, including enhanced security, bi-directional communication, and greater functionality. OSDP cable is designed to support these advanced features with:

  • Enhanced cybersecurity features for secure data transmission
  • Twisted pair design for optimal signal integrity
  • Available in plenum and riser-rated versions

OSDP Cable Applications:

  • Smart security access systems
  • Encrypted biometric readers
  • Centralized security networks

This cable is becoming increasingly popular for modern access control systems due to its enhanced security and functionality. It’s particularly recommended for high-security applications and installations requiring advanced features.

6. Wiegand Cable: Traditional Access Control Solution

Wiegand is a legacy protocol for connecting card readers and other access control devices to panels. While being gradually replaced by OSDP in many new installations, these cables remain prevalent in existing systems and typically feature:

  • Shielding for protection against electromagnetic interference
  • Support for both single and multi-door systems
  • Selections in various gauge sizes for flexible installations

Wiegand Cable Applications:

  • Older access control systems
  • Keycard and magnetic stripe readers
  • Commercial and industrial security applications

While still functional, Wiegand is considered less secure and less feature-rich than OSDP. For new, high-security installations, OSDP is generally the preferred protocol and cable type.

For those needing a Wiegand Access Control cable today, but want the ability to migrate to OSDP< Remee offers a unique combination cable. See our Vigilance™ Security Cables page for details.

Choosing the Right Security Cable

When selecting security cables, consider:

  • Environmental Conditions: Outdoor or indoor installation, exposure to moisture or chemicals.
  • Signal Integrity Needs: Shielded vs. unshielded options based on interference levels.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Fire safety ratings and industry certifications.
  • System Compatibility: Ensuring the cable matches the device requirements.

Ask an expert about the performance requirements of your security application.

Future Trends in Security Cables

  • Increased use of Low Smoke Zero Halogen cables for fire safety compliance.
  • Integration with IoT and AI security systems for smart monitoring.
  • Advancements in biometric and encrypted cables for enhanced cybersecurity.

These cables are the foundation of any reliable security system, ensuring seamless operation of alarms, access control, and surveillance networks. Understanding the different types available helps professionals select the right solutions for their projects. 

Remee’s high-performance Vigilance™ security cables, including fire alarm cables, access control cables, and OSDP cables, provide durability and compliance for all security applications. For more information on Vigilance™ security cables by Remee, request for information from Remee’s experienced team.