This is a summary of designations that you may see on Coax cable. Keep in mind that there are several major cable manufacturers and each may choose its own naming schemes for consumer-grade cables.
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Terms are listed alphabetically:
- 11 (##)
2-digit number specifies percentage of braided shield coverage
- A
Generally meaningless.
- B
Bonded foil
- CL2, CL3
Class 2, Class 3
- CL2X, CL3X
The lowest fire-rated cables and must comply with UL VW-1 Vertical-Speciman Flame Test remote-control, signaling and power-limited cables.
- CM
Communications use: communications network and telecommunications cabling.
- CMH, FT1
CSA Flame Test FT-1coax
- CMH, FT4
CSA Flame Test FT-4
- E
Polyethylene jacket
- F, APD
Flooded underground cables, Amorphous polypropylene drop.
- FPL
Power-limited fire protective signaling cables
- M, S
Messengered/serial/overhead cables used to hang drop from the house to the street.
- MP
Multipurpose cable
- P
Plenum cables
- PLTC
Power-limited tray cable
- R
Riser cables
- SS, Super, QS
Quad shielding
- TS
Tri-shielding
- U
Utility/general use cables to be used outdoors, indoors where protected but not in an air plenum.
- V, PVC
Polyvinylchloride jacket