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Thermostat Cable Explained
BASIC OVERVIEW
Thermostat cabling consists of multiple strands of solid bare copper wire, each wrapped individually with colored insulation and encased together inside a protective jacket. During the installation process, the wires are connected to a board that transmits data via each wire to a thermostat or other low voltage device. If the wires are incorrectly connected, the system will not operate properly.
Thermostat cabling is color coded to easily identify which cable goes to which port on each board. Keep in mind, the color of the wire doesn't always signify a connection to the same color on the board. Examples of this include when wires are swapped on both ends or if there's a splice in the wire that was not matched up to the correct color during installation.
COLOR CODE CHART
| MARKING | CABLE COLOR | FUNCTION DESCRIPTION |
| R | Red | Power, 24 VAC Transformer |
| Rc | Red | Power from Cooling, 24 VAC Transformer |
| Rh | Red | Power from Heat, 24 VAC Transformer |
| C | Black/Blue | Common of 24 VAC Transformer |
| W | White | Primary Heat Cell Relay |
| E | Brown | Emergency Heat Relay |
| Y | Yellow | Primary Cool Call Relay |
| Y2 | Yellow | Secondary Cool Call Relay |
| G | Green | Fan Relay |
| O | Orange | Change-Over Relay to Cool Relay |
| B | Blue | Change-Over Relay to Heat Relay |
| A | Heat and Cool Active to any Relay | |
| L | Emergency Heat Active Lamp | |
| X | System Malfunction Lamp | |
| P | Defrost Control Lamp |
TYPES
Thermostat cabling comes in a variety of types, with the main difference being the number of conductors in the cabling. Systems with a higher number of available functions need more conductors to communicate to and from the board and thermostat/low voltage device.
The most common thermostat cabling is 18/5 (18 gauge, 5 conductor), because 5 conductors typically offer enough functions for a modern thermostat/low voltage device. Additionally, a 5 conductor thermostat cable is equipped with a common wire (C wire), which provides a 24 VAC power source needed for most smart thermostats/low voltage devices.
A 2 conductor thermostat cable is excellent for simple, straightforward applications. However, multi-stage systems may require up to a 10 conductor thermostat cable to successfully accomodate communication between components.
PURCHASE FROM VERICOM
Vericom Global Solutions proudly offers 18 and 20 gauge thermostat cable in a wide variety of conductor variants. Containing solid bare copper conductors for maximum conductivity, our cable is perfect for thermostats, HVAC controls, heat pumps, intercom systems, remote control units, doorbells, alarms, and other low voltage applications.
- 18 AWG 2 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 500 FT
- 18 AWG 3 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 500 FT
- 18 AWG 4 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 500 FT
- 18 AWG 5 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 250 FT
- 18 AWG 6 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 250 FT
- 18 AWG 8 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 250 FT
- 18 AWG 10 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 250 FT
- 20 AWG 2 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 500 FT
- 20 AWG 4 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 500 FT
- 20 AWG 5 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 500 FT
- 20 AWG 7 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 250 FT
- 20 AWG 8 Conductor Thermostat Cable, 250 FT
These thermostat cabling options are available now for purchase. Contact us today to place your order.
Vericom Global Solutions
Phone: (865) 671-4455
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.vericomsolutions.com