Guide to Cable Ratings

What is CMP rated Cable? Or CMR rated cable? What do these acronyms mean and why do they matter? Did you know that there are at least 16 ratings or levels used to designate what a cable is suitable for? Whether you're planning out a basic in-wall residential installation or a commercial job that involves plenum spaces, it pays to know what different acronyms mean and where you should use them.

This guide is intended to serve as a quick reference to the different levels and classifications of cables and their associated acronyms. It is worth noting that cables of a higher rating can generally be used as substitutes for cables of a lower rating, however the reverse is not true. Generally it goes up from residential cable to commercial cable, riser cable, and plenum cable, with different levels of cable within each tier.

CMP : Communications, Plenum - can be installed in any space

CATVP : Cable TV Plenum

CL3P : Class 3 Plenum - for in-wall installation in plenum, riser and general spaces

CL2P : Class 2 Plenum - for in-wall installation in plenum, riser and general spaces

CMR : Communications, Riser

CATVR : Cable TV, Riser

CL3R : Class 3, Riser - for in-wall installation in riser and non-riser spaces

CL2R : Class 2, Riser - for in-wall installation in riser and non-riser spaces

CM or CMG : Communications

CATV : Cable TV

CL3 : Class 3 - for in-wall installation in non-riser, non-plenum spaces

CL2 : Class 2 - for in-wall installation in non-riser, non-plenum spaces

CMX : Communications, Residential

CATVX : Cable TV, Residential

CL3X : Class 3, Residential - for in-wall installation in non-riser, non-plenum spaces

CL2X : Class 2, Residential - for in-wall installation in non-riser, non-plenum spaces