SYSTON 18/4 Shielded Fire Alarm Control Cable CMR - Riser-Rated

In this review the SYSTON 18/4 Shielded Fire Alarm Control Cable is assessed for installers and building managers who need a riser-rated, versatile low-voltage cable. The bottom line: this cable is best for fire alarm, security, and communication station wiring where durability and code-compliant riser performance matter, because it combines pure copper conductors, CMR/CL3R flame resistance, and a shielded construction that keeps signals clean in crowded runs.

Key Features

• Applications: Designed for fire alarm, burglar security, intercoms, telephone stations and similar low-voltage circuits so one cable covers many system types.
• Pure copper conductors: Solid copper conductors provide reliable conductivity and consistent performance for sensitive alarm and communications circuits.
• 300V CL3 rating: Rated as a 300V Class-3 power-limited circuit cable, suitable for power-limited wiring and short surge events.
• CMR/CL3R riser-rated jacket: The riser-rated flame-retardant jacket adds safety for vertical runs between floors in multi-story buildings.
• Shielded construction: Shielding reduces interference on parallel runs and improves signal integrity in environments with electrical noise.
• Installation-friendly jacket: A round slick jacket with smooth edges and a rip cord makes the cable easier to pull and strip on-site.

Who It's For

This cable suits professional electricians, alarm installers, property managers and facility maintenance teams who wire fire alarm panels, access control, nurse call systems, PA systems or telephone stations. Its riser rating and shielding make it appropriate for commercial, multi-tenant and institutional buildings where vertical runs and signal integrity are common concerns.

Those looking for heavy-duty power transmission cable or outdoor direct-burial feeders should look elsewhere; this product is intended for power-limited low-voltage applications and indoor/outdoor protected routing rather than high-voltage or unprotected burial use.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good conductor quality from solid pure copper delivers dependable conductivity for alarms and comms.
• Riser-rated CMR/CL3R jacket provides added safety for vertical building runs.
• Shielding helps prevent noise and crosstalk in crowded cable paths.
• Installation-friendly jacket and rip cord make pulling and terminating faster on the job.

Cons

• Some users report the cable feels thin for certain installations, so check mechanical protection needs in exposed runs.

Specifications

Conductor	Solid pure copper
Configuration	18/4 shielded
Voltage rating	300V (CL3)
Fire rating	CMR / CL3R / FPLR (riser-rated)
Applications	Fire alarm, security, PA, intercom, telephone, access control
Jacket features	Round slick jacket with rip cord, UV resistant

Our Verdict

The SYSTON 18/4 Shielded Fire Alarm Control Cable is a practical, value-oriented choice for installers who need a riser-rated, shielded cable for fire alarm and low-voltage communication systems. Its pure copper conductors and CL3/CMR classification make it work well in commercial vertical runs, and the installation-friendly jacket speeds jobsite handling. For projects that require rugged mechanical protection or direct burial, specify additional conduit or a different cable type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this cable suitable for outdoor use?
It can be used for indoor/outdoor protected routing but is not specified for direct burial; provide conduit or other protection for exposed outdoor runs.

Does the cable include shielding around all pairs?
Yes, the product is shielded to reduce interference and improve signal integrity on parallel runs.

Can it be used for power-limited circuits like access control?
Yes, it is rated 300V CL3 and intended for power-limited low-voltage applications including access control and alarm systems.