To Screen Or Not To Screen...

[Jabba-the-Cat]

Is there any consensus about the use of screened cable for sensors and keypads? Is unscreened cable prone to generating false trigger errors near mains cables through interference?

[DirectFS]

Is there any consensus about the use of screened cable for sensors and keypads? Is unscreened cable prone to generating false trigger errors near mains cables through interference?

If its for the Galaxy you were showing in your other post, use screened Belden.

Unscreened cable will cause data loss over a certain distance, as will untwisted.

Bill.

[antinode]

It won't do any harm to use screened cable for detection circuits, however it's not required in most installations.

Use of screened cables for data connections (ie between expanders and keypads) is specified by certain manufacturers. Some manufacturers say that using screened cables for network connections can impede performance on larger runs on their panels (can't remember who off the top of my head)

In short, for detection circuits, it's down to you if you can justify the expense and general hassle in terminating it, go ahead. For data circuits follow the manufacturers recommendation.

[Alarm Protection]

Use screened from panel to keypad and unscreened from panel to PIR's etc.

I would use 8 core alarm cable as you have spare cores for the future.

[Jabba-the-Cat]

Thank you for the prompt reply to both queries.

My cabling question was general and not specific to the Galaxy.

[Guest RJBsec]

There is little difference in price, using screened cable throughout is IMO a good policy, (though possibly unnecessary), BUT be very careful not to cause a short on the foil by mis-clipping.

[Jabba-the-Cat]

There is little difference in price, using screened cable throughout is IMO a good policy, (though possibly unnecessary), BUT be very careful not to cause a short on the foil by mis-clipping.

Lol...as a former broadcast installer I can still handle a pair of lindstroms and a fanny stretcher.

[ian.cant]

Screened cable or not screened cable isnt a matter of what you choose or prefer, follow the manufacturers recommendations and you cant go wrong!

[Lectrician]

And if you use a cable with more cores than you need, do not do as some first timers do and chop the spare cores off out of sight - When you come to use them in the future you then have an unnecessary challenge!

[Guest old-hand]

And if you use a cable with more cores than you need, do not do as some first timers do and chop the spare cores off out of sight - When you come to use them in the future you then have an unnecessary challenge!

I hate those who cut back spare cores to make them think the install is neat!