Intruder alarm cable in the UK is manufactured to BS 4737: Insulated cables, PVC insulated for intruder alarm systems, one of the few remaining parts of this standard still in force. There are several cables in the range, each with a different amount of wires (cores) or outer jacket type or colour. All have stranded wire cores. The options are shown below:

Cable Specifications

Conductors: Tinned annealed flexible copper or Copper Clad Aluminium (CCA)

Insulation: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH)

Core identification colours: 4 Core: Red, Black, Yellow, Blue

6 Core: Red, Black, Yellow, Blue, Green, White

8 Core: Red, Black, Yellow, Blue, Green, White, Orange, Brown

12 Core: Red, Black, Yellow, Blue , Green, White, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Grey, Violet, Pink

Cable Sheath/Jacket: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Sheath Colour: White, Brown, Black, Grey

Operating temperature: Maximum 70°C, Minimum when bending 0°C

The wire conductors are made up of 7x 0.2mm wire strands, creating an overall conductor size of 0.22 sq. mm. These cables are intended for Safety Extra-Low Voltage - (SELV (0-50 volt) use.

This cable is used mainly for the wiring links between the intruder alarm control panel or zone expanders and the detection devices, external bell box, and any internal sounders. On some systems it may be used for the remote keypad or zone expander wiring, although for these links a Belden 8723 or equivalent shielded twisted pair cable is sometimes specified.

The cable cores are stranded to make them more flexible in service, and to resist breakage when terminated in screw terminals.