Aiphone 87180250C 18AWG 2-Conductor Low Capacitance Wire 500ft

Aiphone 87180250C 18AWG 2-Conductor Low Capacitance Wire

The Aiphone 87180250C is a 500-foot spool of precision 2-conductor, 18AWG solid copper wire purpose-built for Aiphone intercom and access control installations. Unlike generic communication cable, this low-capacitance design (13.0 pF/ft) is engineered to preserve audio fidelity across the voice band without crosstalk or phase distortion—a critical difference when integrating multiple tenant stations or door units over extended cable runs. UL/cULus listed for permanent in-wall installation and made in the USA, the 87180250C qualifies for a one-year warranty extension when used with compatible Aiphone equipment.

Key Features

• Low Capacitance (13.0 pF/ft): Excessive capacitance degrades voice clarity and can introduce phase distortion in the 300–3.4 kHz intercom band. This rating maintains signal integrity over 200+ foot runs without preamp buffering.
• Solid 18AWG Copper Conductors: 6.2Ω per 1000 feet DC resistance ensures voltage drop under 1V on typical 200-foot runs, preventing brownout issues at remote door stations and tenant units drawing 500–800 mA during call signaling.
• Non-Shielded Design: Eliminates ground-loop hum that shielded cable introduces in multi-unit intercom configurations. Engineered specifically for the low-impedance, analog audio environment of Aiphone systems.
• Polyethylene/PVC Dual Insulation: PE core provides consistent dielectric for audio accuracy; PVC jacket resists moisture, UV degradation, and mechanical damage in both indoor conduit and outdoor aerial runs.
• UL/cULus & CL3/FPL/CM Certified: Meets National Electrical Code low-voltage circuit requirements, eliminating the need for special conduit or inspection holds on commercial and residential jobs.
• RoHS III & REACH Compliant: Hazardous substance restrictions met for global deployment without environmental documentation overhead.
• Warranty Extension: Use of factory-specified 87180250C wire qualifies systems for one additional year of manufacturer coverage—meaningful insurance on multi-unit builds.
• 500-Foot Full Spool: Minimizes mid-run splices that degrade audio and introduce failure points. Cost-effective for retrofit or new construction across multiple units.

Integration & Compatibility

The 87180250C is engineered for Aiphone intercom families including JVS-1F and JVS-1V master stations, video tenant stations (GT-1C7, GT-1M3), and vandal-resistant door stations. Impedance matching between wire and equipment prevents audio artifacts—hum, dropout, or tonal loss—that occur when mixing generic telephone or networking cable with Aiphone systems. This wire is suitable for new construction wiring, retrofit upgrades, and branch extensions on existing systems. The UL/cULus rating ensures code compliance without additional conduit or special installation beyond standard low-voltage practices.

Why Wire Specification Matters

In intercom and access control, cable choice directly impacts audio quality and system reliability. The 87180250C's low capacitance prevents the subtle but audible phase shifts and frequency rolloff that occur on long runs with higher-capacitance cable. The solid conductor design (versus stranded) maintains consistent impedance for clean, low-level audio transmission. On installations spanning 10+ units, the cumulative effect of proper wire specification is the difference between crystal-clear communication and degraded voice intelligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the 87180250C work with other intercom brands?

A: While the wire meets standard UL/cULus and CL3/FPL/CM ratings, the 13.0 pF/ft capacitance and solid conductor design are optimized for Aiphone systems. Using non-specified cable may forfeit manufacturer warranty and can introduce audio quality issues on long runs.

Q: What is the maximum cable run length without signal degradation?

A: With 6.2Ω per 1000 feet, typical 200-foot runs incur under 1V drop at normal operating currents. Longer runs (300+ feet) may require voltage compensation or a closer power supply location.

Q: Is the 87180250C suitable for outdoor installation?

A: Yes. The polyethylene/PVC construction resists moisture and UV exposure. However, outdoor runs should be secured to prevent wind damage and should follow NEC low-voltage aerial practices.

Q: Does this wire need to be run in conduit?

A: The UL/cULus CL3/FPL rating permits in-wall installation without conduit in most jurisdictions. Check local code; commercial buildings may have stricter requirements.

Q: Can I use the 87180250C for both audio and power delivery to door stations?

A: Yes, the two conductors handle both 18V DC power and audio signaling. The low capacitance prevents audio artifacts even with power flowing simultaneously.

Q: How much does the warranty extension save?

A: Using manufacturer-specified wire extends Aiphone equipment warranty by one full year at no additional cost—meaningful coverage on multi-unit commercial installations where equipment replacement can exceed several thousand dollars.

Ted Perry

Perspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.

Over 15 commercial Aiphone installations, I've learned that intercom audio quality hinges on three factors: equipment design, system layout, and cable selection. The Aiphone 87180250C addresses the third—and it's not trivial. A 13.0 pF/ft capacitance rating paired with solid 18AWG copper and 6.2Ω per 1000 feet ensures that a 200-foot run to a remote door station won't degrade voice clarity or require compensating electronics downstream.

Technical Highlights:

• 13.0 pF/ft Capacitance: Prevents phase distortion in the voice band (300–3.4 kHz). Generic telephone cable often runs 16–20 pF/ft, introducing audible tonal loss and crosstalk on long multi-unit runs.
• 6.2Ω per 1000 feet DC Resistance: On a 200-foot branch, voltage drop is ~1.2V at typical door station draw (500 mA signaling)—well within the Aiphone supply headroom. Stranded cable or undersized gauge would cause station dropout.
• Non-Shielded Design: Counter-intuitive but correct for analog intercom. Shield introduces ground loops and hum in multi-unit systems where audio and power share the same pair. Aiphone systems are designed to reject differential noise without shielding.

Deployment Considerations:

• Solid conductors are less flexible than stranded—tight conduit bends over 3–4 inches require careful pulling to avoid conductor breakage. Plan your feed paths before pulling.
• The one-year warranty extension only applies when the 87180250C is specified during system design or retrofit. Retrofitting a system with non-approved cable voids the extension, even if the equipment was originally spec'd with the 87180250C.

Deploy the 87180250C on any new Aiphone intercom system spanning 10+ units or requiring cable runs exceeding 150 feet. The investment in correct-specification cable is recovered through eliminated audio complaints and zero warranty disputes over time.