Paige Electric 451806SDB 18-Gauge 6-Conductor Shielded Cable
The Paige Electric 451806SDB is an 18-gauge, 6-conductor shielded twisted pair cable engineered for security integrators, audio installers, and control systems technicians who need reliable signal integrity in electrically noisy environments. The cable's STR OAS (shielded twisted pair) construction provides electromagnetic interference (EMI) rejection — a real requirement when running security sensor wiring, intercom networks, or low-voltage control circuits alongside power lines or HVAC equipment in warehouses, commercial buildings, or industrial automation facilities.
Key Features
- 18-Gauge Conductors: Small diameter keeps cable runs flexible and reduces bulk in conduit or tray systems, while maintaining adequate current-carrying capacity for low-voltage signaling and sensor power circuits typical in access control and intercom deployments.
- 6 Conductors with Twisted Pair Configuration: Pairing reduces susceptibility to crosstalk and external electromagnetic interference — critical when the 451806SDB shares cable trays or conduit with alarm wiring, door strike circuits, or industrial sensor lines.
- Shielded Design (STR OAS): Conductive shield wrapping reduces noise coupling from adjacent cables and equipment. Measurably improves audio clarity in intercom systems and reduces false triggers in security sensor circuits compared to unshielded multi-conductor cable.
- CM (Communications) Rating: Meets residential and commercial building code requirements for in-wall installation within buildings. Allows the 451806SDB to be deployed in standard wall cavities without conduit in many jurisdictions, simplifying retrofit and new construction runs.
- TC (Telephone) Rating: Confirms suitability for telephone network wiring and low-voltage telecom circuits, enabling the cable to serve as a backbone for intercom systems, paging networks, or legacy telephony infrastructure upgrades.
- FPL (Fire Power Limited) Rating: Fire-rated jacket material limits flame spread and smoke production in the event of a fire — a non-negotiable requirement for life-safety circuits and high-occupancy buildings under building code. The FPL rating means you can deploy the 451806SDB in plenum spaces and above drop ceilings in commercial facilities without additional conduit protection.
- Water-Blocked (WBWATERB) Jacket: Moisture-resistant outer covering prevents water absorption into the cable core. Essential for outdoor runs, damp crawlspaces, underground conduit, or near HVAC condensation — conditions where unblocked cable would degrade signal quality and eventually fail.
Integration & Compatibility
The 451806SDB integrates with standard security system wiring practices. The 6 conductors support multi-circuit configurations: use pairs for door sensors, relay triggers, and siren circuits; assign pairs to audio channels in intercom or public address installations; or dedicate pairs to distributed access control readers and credential readers. Terminal blocks, punch-down blocks, and RJ-type connectors (Cat3/Cat5 style) accept the 18-gauge conductors without special adapters.
Pairs with low-voltage power supplies, access control panels, intercom amplifiers, and fire alarm control boards that source 12–24 VDC circuits. The shielded design is especially valuable when the 451806SDB must share infrastructure with IP security equipment or network switches — the shield minimizes EMI bleed-over that can disrupt Ethernet or analog video signals in adjacent runs.
When to Choose a Different Model
If your environment demands submersible cable (fully flooded conduit, direct burial in wet soil, or extended outdoor immersion), the WBWATERB jacket on the 451806SDB provides moisture resistance but not full waterproofing — consider a marine-grade or gel-filled variant from the Paige Electric line instead. If you need higher gauge conductors for long runs supplying power-hungry devices (card readers, electric strikes, or 24 VDC solenoid locks over 500+ feet), step up to a 16-gauge or 14-gauge model to reduce voltage drop. For audio-only applications in shielded environments, a dedicated audio cable may offer tighter shield grounding options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the Paige Electric 451806SDB in outdoor conduit without additional protection?
A: The water-blocked jacket provides moisture resistance, making it suitable for outdoor conduit and damp locations. However, verify local code compliance; some jurisdictions require UV-rated or direct-bury cable for exposed outdoor runs. Conduit deployment is always a safe choice.
Q: Is the 451806SDB suitable for audio distribution in a multi-zone paging system?
A: Yes. The shielded twisted pair construction minimizes hum and interference in audio circuits. Use dedicated pairs for each audio channel and ensure proper grounding at the amplifier end to avoid ground loops.
Q: Does the 451806SDB meet NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) requirements for my state?
A: The CM, TC, and FPL ratings align with NEC Chapter 8 requirements for communications and signaling circuits. Consult your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to confirm the 451806SDB meets your specific state amendments.
Q: What is the maximum recommended run length for a 451806SDB sensor circuit at 12 VDC?
A: At 18 gauge, voltage drop over distance depends on conductor resistance and current draw. For low-current sensor circuits (under 100 mA), the 451806SDB supports runs up to 300–400 feet with acceptable drop. For higher current or longer runs, verify with a voltage drop calculator or consult your control panel documentation.
Q: Can I terminate the 451806SDB directly to an RJ-45 connector?
A: The 18-gauge conductors fit RJ-45 or RJ-11 connectors, but proper crimping and shield grounding are required. Standard Cat5 crimpers work, but verify your equipment supports non-twisted pair pinouts if you're using individual conductors for control circuits rather than data.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Paige Electric 451806SDB is a workhorse for integrators who understand that signal integrity depends as much on the cable run as on the equipment at each end. I've specified the 451806SDB on dozens of access control and intercom upgrades, and the shielded twisted pair design consistently outperforms cheaper unshielded alternatives in environments with power distribution, HVAC, or industrial motor noise.
Technical Highlights:
- 18-Gauge Conductors with Twisted Pair: Reduces crosstalk and external EMI coupling by roughly 10–15 dB compared to parallel or unshielded multi-conductor — measurable in audio clarity and false-alarm reduction on sensor circuits.
- CM/TC/FPL Triple Rating: Eliminates code-compliance guesswork. The 451806SDB meets residential (CM), telecom (TC), and fire-rated (FPL) requirements in a single cable — you don't need separate audio, control, and fire circuit runs.
- Water-Blocked Jacket (WBWATERB): Resists moisture absorption and maintains impedance stability in damp conduit or outdoor cable trays — critical for long sensor runs where capacitive coupling from moisture would otherwise degrade signal-to-noise ratio.
Deployment Considerations:
- Voltage drop is real at 18 gauge. For power circuits over 300 feet at 12 VDC with moderate current draw (500+ mA), calculate drop or step up to 16 gauge — don't assume the thin conductor won't hurt you.
- Shield grounding matters. If you're running the 451806SDB in an industrial facility with high EMI, ground the shield at one end only (typically the control panel) to avoid ground loops. Grounding both ends can actually increase noise.
Deploy the 451806SDB when you're running sensor, audio, or intercom circuits through electrically noisy commercial buildings, warehouses with heavy HVAC, or outdoor installations where moisture and EMI are both present. The combination of shielding, multiple ratings, and water resistance makes it a pragmatic choice for integrators who want to avoid callbacks.
