Panduit PXUP316AWH-CQ FMPS Plenum 3-Pair 16/19 AWG Power Cable — 2000ft Reel
Overview
The Panduit PXUP316AWH-CQ is a 2000-foot reel of white, 3-pair FMPS (Fiber and Multipurpose Power System) power cable built for commercial and enterprise plenum environments. Rated CMP under UL 444 and meeting UL 1400-2 Class 4, NEC Article 725 (Class 3P), NEC Article 726 (Class 4P), and NEC Article 800 standards, this cable is the correct specification when fire codes require low-smoke, plenum-rated wiring above drop ceilings or inside air-handling spaces. At 16 AWG stranded conductors, it supports the current-carrying requirements of powered security devices, access control hardware, and similar commercial-grade equipment without derate concerns in bundled plenum runs. If your project is governed by NEC plenum requirements and you need a pre-verified multi-compliance cable from a single SKU, PXUP316AWH-CQ (often searched as PXUP316AWH CQ) ships on a 2000ft reel ready for conduit or open plenum installation.
Key Features
- Plenum (CMP) Flammability Rating: Meets UL 444 CMP — the most stringent smoke and flame requirement for in-wall and above-ceiling plenum air-handling spaces. If the building inspector or fire marshal requires CMP, this cable passes; a standard CM or CMR cable does not, and substituting one is a code violation.
- 16 AWG Stranded Conductors: Stranded construction improves flex life during installation routing and pull-through conduit runs compared to solid, reducing conductor fatigue on tight bends in dense cable trays.
- 3-Pair Configuration: Six conductors in three pairs provide the conductor count needed for multi-circuit powered device installations — useful when running both data power and signal in a single cable pull to reduce conduit fill and labor cost.
- UL 1400-2 Class 4 Listed: Class 4 listing under UL 1400-2 combined with the CL4P marking (NEC Article 726) means this cable is verified for powered communication cable applications, not just repurposed general wiring. That distinction matters in inspected commercial builds.
- Multi-Standard Compliance (NEC 725/726/800): Covers Class 3 remote-control/signaling circuits (NEC 725), Class 4 power-over-cable circuits (NEC 726), and communications circuits (NEC 800) in a single cable — reduces the number of cable types a contractor must stock and track for mixed-use conduit fills.
- 2000ft Reel / 8000ft Carton: The 2000ft package quantity is sized for mid-scale commercial projects or a contractor stock position. Carton quantity of 8000ft (four reels) supports larger bids where per-foot pricing matters at volume.
- White Jacket: White outer jacket simplifies color-coding schemes in plenum ceilings and cable trays where visual identification during adds, moves, and changes matters for ongoing maintenance teams.
Integration and Compatibility
This cable is appropriate for commercial security cable infrastructure supporting access control panels, door controllers, intercom systems, and other low-voltage powered equipment requiring CMP-rated wiring. Consult your NEC-licensed electrician or AHJ to confirm conductor count and gauge adequacy for the specific current loads and circuit lengths in your design. Panduit's Panduit copper systems portfolio offers complementary connectors, patch panels, and cable management to complete the infrastructure layer. For projects combining structured cabling with physical security, pairing this cable with compatible access control hardware simplifies the procurement BOM. When planning conduit fill for multi-pair plenum runs, reference a cabling and infrastructure guide to verify NEC fill ratios before ordering footage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the PXUP316AWH-CQ rated for plenum air-handling spaces?
A: Yes. The PXUP316AWH-CQ carries a CMP (Communications Multipurpose Plenum) flammability rating under UL 444, making it code-compliant for installation in plenum air-handling spaces per NEC Article 800.
Q: What AWG and conductor configuration does the PXUP316AWH-CQ use?
A: It uses 16 AWG stranded conductors in a 3-pair (6-conductor) configuration, suitable for multi-circuit low-voltage power and signal applications.
Q: Which NEC articles does the PXUP316AWH-CQ comply with?
A: The cable meets NEC Article 725 (Class 3 remote-control and signaling), NEC Article 726 (Class 4 power-over-cable), and NEC Article 800 (communications circuits), as well as UL 1400-2 Class 4 and UL 13 CL3P listings.
Q: What is the package quantity and how is the cable supplied?
A: Each unit ships as a 2000-foot reel. The full carton contains 8000 feet (four reels), useful for volume project orders or contractor stocking.
Q: What is the jacket color of the PXUP316AWH-CQ?
A: The outer jacket is white, which aids color-coded identification in plenum ceilings and cable trays during installation and future maintenance.
When I look at the PXUP316AWH-CQ, the detail that drives my recommendation is the stacked multi-standard compliance — UL 1400-2 Class 4, CL3P, CL4P, and CMP all on one SKU. That means a single reel covers Class 3 signaling circuits, Class 4 powered circuits, and plenum communications wiring simultaneously, which genuinely simplifies submittal packages on inspected commercial builds.
Technical Highlights:
- CMP Plenum Rating (UL 444): The highest standard flame/smoke rating for above-ceiling runs — not a substitute rating. If your AHJ requires CMP, this cable qualifies; CM or CMR does not, and the difference is a failed inspection.
- 16 AWG Stranded, 3-Pair: Stranded construction handles conduit pull and routed bends without the conductor fatigue you get from solid 16 AWG. Three pairs give you enough circuits for combined power and signal in one pull to powered security devices.
- 2000ft Reel Format: Sized for a single-floor commercial project or contractor stock replenishment. The 8000ft carton (four reels) is the right buy for multi-floor or campus-scale access control rough-in.
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm your conduit fill calculation before ordering footage — 3-pair 16 AWG has a meaningful outer diameter, and NEC Article 300 fill ratios can limit how many runs share a single conduit in dense plenum pathways.
- The white jacket is a single color; if your facility uses a strict color-coding scheme for circuit type (e.g., red for fire alarm, blue for access control), verify this fits your labeling standard or plan to use cable markers at termination points.
This cable is the right specification for commercial access control and low-voltage security rough-in in office buildings, healthcare facilities, and education campuses where the AHJ enforces plenum code and inspectors verify UL listing markings on installed cable — exactly the environment where cutting corners on the CMP rating creates rework costs that dwarf the cable price difference.
