Ethernet Cable Jacket Types: Which one do you need?
Short answer: Standard offices use PVC. Public buildings, hospitals and schools use LSZH. Air-handling ducts (rare in Australia) use plenum. Vertical runs between floors use riser. Outdoor runs need UV-resistant or gel-filled. Detailed breakdown below.
The protective jacket around an Ethernet cable is crucial. It determines the environment the cable is suited for, its durability, and most importantly its safety performance in a fire. Choosing the right jacket is essential for performance, compliance, and Australian Building Code requirements.
Guide Index
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
- LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen)
- Plenum-Rated Jackets
- Riser-Rated Jackets
- Outdoor & UV-Resistant Jackets
- Gel-Filled & Water-Resistant Jackets
- Comparison Table
- Frequently Asked Questions
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Jackets
PVC jackets are the most common type for general indoor use in homes and offices. They are flexible, affordable, and easy to install. However, they are not resistant to UV light or extreme temperatures and can release toxic smoke when burned, restricting their use in many public spaces.
Where it works: Standard residential and small commercial offices with no specific fire safety requirements.
Where it fails: Hospitals, schools, government buildings, anywhere with mandatory fire safety regulations, outdoor installations.
LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) Jackets
LSZH jackets are made from compounds that emit minimal smoke and no toxic halogen gases when burned. This makes them the required choice for enclosed or high-risk public spaces like airports, hospitals, and data centres where human safety is paramount.
Australian context: LSZH has become the de facto standard for most Australian commercial installations because it satisfies the safety requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) for public buildings without the cost of true plenum-rated cable. Learn more about LSZH cables and where they're required.
Plenum-Rated Jackets
Plenum-rated cables are designed for use in air-circulating spaces (plenums), such as HVAC ducts and raised floors. They are made from special flame-retardant materials that prevent fire spread and emit low levels of smoke, making them mandatory for these specific installations.
Australian context: Plenum-rated cable is a North American standard (CMP rating under NFPA 70). In Australia, the equivalent fire-performance role is generally filled by LSZH cable, which meets local AS/NZS standards. Plenum cable is rarely specified for Australian installs unless following US specs.
Riser-Rated Jackets
Riser-rated cables are designed for vertical runs between floors in non-plenum spaces, like inside walls or in elevator shafts. They are flame-retardant to prevent fire from travelling between floors but do not meet the stricter standards of plenum-rated cables.
Australian context: Like plenum, riser (CMR) is a North American rating. Australian installs typically use LSZH cable for the same use cases.
Outdoor / UV-Resistant Jackets
These cables feature a rugged jacket made from UV-resistant and weatherproof materials. They are designed to withstand direct sunlight, rain, and extreme temperatures, making them ideal for connecting buildings or for any external installation.
When to use: Any cable run that's exposed to direct sunlight or weather, including building-to-building runs, external camera installs, and outdoor WiFi access points.
Common mistake: Using standard PVC outdoor "to save money". PVC degrades rapidly under UV exposure, becoming brittle and cracking within 12-18 months. The cost of re-running cable far exceeds the price difference of buying UV-rated in the first place.
Gel-Filled / Water-Resistant Jackets
For direct burial or installations in wet conditions, gel-filled cables provide the best protection. A water-blocking gel inside the jacket prevents moisture from reaching the internal wires, ensuring long-term performance in harsh environments.
When to use: Direct burial runs, conduit runs that may flood, marine installations, and any cable that will be exposed to standing water or high humidity.
Comparison Table
| Jacket Type | Primary Use | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | Indoor, residential | Inexpensive, flexible | Not fire or UV-resistant, toxic smoke |
| LSZH | Public buildings, hospitals, schools | Low toxicity, minimal smoke, NCC compliant | More expensive than PVC |
| Plenum (CMP) | Air ducts, plenum spaces (US standard) | Highest fire resistance | High cost, rare in Australia |
| Riser (CMR) | Vertical inter-floor runs (US standard) | Flame retardant, affordable | Not for plenum spaces, LSZH preferred in Australia |
| Outdoor/UV | External environments | Durable, weatherproof, UV stable | Less flexible than indoor cable |
| Gel-Filled | Underground, direct burial, wet areas | Superior moisture protection | Cumbersome to install, messy to terminate |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between PVC and LSZH cable?
PVC releases toxic black smoke and corrosive halogen gases when burned. LSZH produces minimal smoke and no halogens, making evacuation safer and protecting nearby electronics from corrosion damage. LSZH is required by Australian regulations for most public buildings.
Do I need plenum cable in Australia?
Rarely. Plenum is a North American standard. Australian installs use LSZH cable for the same fire-safety role, which is recognised under AS/NZS standards and the National Construction Code.
Can I use indoor cable outdoors?
No. Standard PVC and LSZH jackets degrade quickly under UV exposure, becoming brittle and cracking within 12-18 months. Use UV-resistant or gel-filled cable for any outdoor or buried run.
What's the difference between LSZH and plenum cable?
Both have superior fire performance to PVC, but LSZH focuses on reducing smoke and toxic gas output during a fire (people-safe), while plenum focuses on minimising flame spread and smoke generation in air-handling spaces (building-safe). LSZH is the Australian standard.
Is LSZH cable required by law in Australia?
Not universally, but the National Construction Code (NCC) requires low-smoke, low-toxicity cabling in many public and commercial buildings. LSZH is the practical way to meet these requirements. Check the BCA classification of your building to confirm.
How can I tell what jacket type a cable has?
Check the print on the cable jacket. Compliant cable always lists the jacket type and applicable standards (LSZH, CMP, CMR, etc). If there's no clear marking, treat the cable with suspicion. Quality cable will also have 100% copper conductors, never CCA.
Your Project, Perfected. That's The Access Advantage.
- Expert Local Support, Since 1973: Don't waste time with guesswork. Our experts have seen it all and are ready to provide the right solution, right now. Your success is our business.
- Uncompromising Aussie Quality: We live and breathe quality. From rigorous testing to official Australian certification, we guarantee every product we sell is built to perform and built to last.
- Your Specs, Your Brand, Our Build: Off-the-shelf not cutting it? We specialise in building custom cables and assemblies to your exact specifications, branded for your business. Let's create it together.
- Guaranteed for Life: Buy it once. Trust it forever. Our products are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, so you can invest in quality with zero risk. *Warranty excludes third-party brands such as HALO and UPS.
- Innovation That Keeps You Ahead: The tech landscape is always changing, and so is our catalogue. We ensure you always have access to the latest, most reliable solutions on the market.
Let's get your project started.
Talk to an expert today for a custom quote or browse the solutions most relevant to your search.