One Cable. Every Door Function
Access Control Cable Selection System
One Cable. Every Door Function.
The field guide for low-voltage installers and security integrators. Choose the right composite access control cable in under 60 seconds — reduce rework, pass inspection the first time.
Quick Answer
Standard Install
9888
CMP Plenum • Office, School, Retail
High-EMI Install
9898
CMP Plenum • Hospital, Elevator, VFD
01
Syston 9888
CMP Plenum — StandardOffice · School · Retail · Clean EMI
Why: Plenum-rated + card reader pair shielded. Covers 80% of commercial installs. One cable replaces 4 pulls per door.
View 9888 Specs →
02
Syston 9898
CMP Plenum — Dual ShieldedHospital · Elevator Zone · VFD · Long Runs
Why: Overall shield + reader pair shield. Zero intermittent reader failures. The professional choice when EMI risk exists.
View 9898 Specs →
Not sure about EMI? Pull the 9898. You'll never get a callback for over-shielding. The cost delta is small. The callback cost isn't. Order Now →
What Is Access Control Composite Cable?
Access control composite cable — also called a 4-in-1 cable or banana peel cable — carries every signal and power function a commercial door opening requires inside a single jacket. Instead of pulling four or five separate cables to each door, installers pull one.
4-in-1 Composite Cable — Four color-coded conductor groups inside one CMP jacket
Syston Access Control Cabling System: Panel → One Composite Cable → All Door Functions
Access Control Panel
→
COMPOSITE CABLE
1 pull · 4 functions
18/4 + 22/3PR + 22/2 + 22/4
1 pull · 4 functions
18/4 + 22/3PR + 22/2 + 22/4
→
Lock Power Card Reader Door Contact REX Device
Orange — 18/4 Lock Power
Powers electric strikes, mag-locks, electric bolts (12VDC / 24VDC)
White — 22/3PR OAS Card Reader
Shielded twisted pair for Wiegand & OSDP RS-485
Blue — 22/2 Door Contact
Door Position Switch (DPS) — monitors open/closed state
Green — 22/4 REX
Request-to-Exit device wiring for egress
Watch
About Syston Cable Technology — Company & Product Overview
Syston Cable Technology overview — who they are, what they make, and why the composite cable system was designed for installers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA2HTUb5Rh0
Syston Cable Technology — company overview. Source: Syston Cable YouTube channel.
One-sentence answer for your customer: "This cable replaces the four or five separate cables you'd normally pull to each door — cleaner, faster, and code-compliant in plenum spaces."
1
The Real Jobsite Problem
Picture a 20-door commercial tenant improvement. Your crew is behind schedule. Above the drop ceiling: four cables per door snaking toward the panel room — lock power, reader data, door contact, REX — each separately labeled, each a source of confusion when the next tech shows up three years later.
That's five cable pulls per door. Five conduit fill calculations. Five separate panel entries. By door 8, someone's mislabeled a conductor. By door 15, the AHJ flags the wrong fire rating. The job is not done — it's being redone.
20-door Install Math
5 cables × 20 doors = 100 individual pulls, 100 conduit entries, hours of field labeling — before a single termination is made. Switch to 1 composite cable: 20 pulls total.
4-in-1 access control composite cable cross-section. Four conductor groups, one CMP jacket. Color-coded for instant identification on the jobsite.2
Why Installers Are Switching
One cable replaces 4 pulls per door. Here's what that means across an entire job:
| What Changes | 5 Separate Cables | 1 Composite Cable |
|---|---|---|
| Cable pulls per door | 4–5 pulls | 1 pull |
| Conduit fill calculations | Calculate 5 fills per door | Calculate 1 |
| Panel entries per door | 4–5 knockouts | 1 entry |
| Field labeling | Label every conductor on every cable | Factory color-coded — done |
| Fire rating risk | One wrong rating fails the door | Single CMP covers all functions |
| Service call speed | Which cable is which? Trace first. | Color code is self-documenting |
| Callback risk | Mislabeling = intermittent failures | Pre-matched conductors eliminate errors |
| Jobs per crew / month | Limited by pull time per door | More doors per day = more jobs per month |
The margin driver: Faster installs mean more doors per day. More doors per day means more projects per month — without adding headcount. The cable pays for itself on door 3.
3
How to Choose — The Decision System
Four questions. Answer in order. You'll know your cable before you reach the van.
A
Where Does the Cable Run? — CMP vs CMR
This is the compliance question. Get it wrong and the AHJ sends you back to re-pull.
✓ Use CMP — Plenum
- Above any drop ceiling used for HVAC airflow
- Environmental air-handling spaces
- Inside HVAC ductwork or air returns
- Where NFPA 262 is required by AHJ
- When in doubt — choose CMP
USE CMR — Riser
- Vertical floor-to-floor pathway (non-plenum)
- Floor-to-floor conduit risers
- Within walls, non-HVAC spaces
- UL 1666 vertical flame test required
- Lower material cost vs. CMP
Watch
Where to Use Riser and Plenum Cables — Syston Cable
Syston explains the difference between riser-rated (CMR) and plenum-rated (CMP) cable with real building examples.
Riser vs Plenum cable selection. Source: Syston Cable Technology YouTube channel.
Field Rule: If the run passes above a suspended ceiling and you are not 100% certain it is not used for air circulation — pull CMP. Both Syston 9888 and Syston 9898 are CMP-rated. Reference: NEC 725.154(A)
B
Is EMI a Factor? — Shielded vs Unshielded
Shielding protects the low-voltage reader signal from electrical noise. Most installs don't need full-jacket shielding — but in high-noise environments, intermittent reader failures cost far more than the cable upgrade.
Shielding Typically NOT Needed
- Clean office environment
- Short reader runs (<50 ft)
- No industrial loads nearby
- No elevator motor rooms in path
→ Use: Syston 9888 — reader pair OAS shield is sufficient.
Shielding IS Recommended
- Near elevator shafts or motor rooms
- Near VFDs, industrial HVAC, large motors
- Adjacent to high-voltage conduit runs
- Long runs >50 ft in noisy environments
- Healthcare, data centers, mission-critical
→ Use: Syston 9898 — overall jacket shield + reader pair shield.
EMI shielding comparison. The OAS on Syston 9898 deflects electrical noise. Drain wire: ground at panel end only.C
What Protocol? — OSDP vs Wiegand
| Protocol | What It Uses | Status | Cable Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiegand | D0, D1, GND | Most installed base today | 22/3PR OAS — 9888 or 9898 |
| OSDP v2 | RS-485 (A, B, Shield) | Bidirectional, encrypted — future-ready | 22/3PR OAS — 9888 or 9898 |
Always pull OSDP-ready cable. Wiegand is legacy. Most new panels support OSDP v2. Both 9888 and 9898 satisfy both protocols — pull the same cable today, support tomorrow's upgrade. No re-pull. No upcharge.
D
What Type of Facility?
Office / Commercial
Multi-door efficiency
Standard EMI, clean electrical. Composite cable cuts pull time in half on tenant improvements.
School / Education
Code compliance on a schedule
Plenum ceilings throughout most modern schools. CMP is non-negotiable. Budget-conscious.
Healthcare
Reliability first
Imaging equipment and elevator motors generate constant EMI. Reader intermittency is a patient safety issue.
Retail / Warehouse
Speed + cost control at scale
High door count. Speed per door is the margin driver. Standardized color coding means any tech can service any door.
Cable selection by facility type — 9888 for standard commercial, 9898 for high-EMI environments
4
Composite vs Traditional & 9888 vs 9898
| Factor | Composite (1 pull) | Separate Cables (4–5 pulls) | Multiconductor Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulls per door | 1 | 4–5 | 1–2 (may need power add) |
| Lock power AWG | 18 AWG — correct | Varies | 22 AWG only — voltage drop risk |
| Reader shielding | Included (OAS) | If specified | Usually none |
| Conductor ID | Factory color-coded | Field labeling required | Field labeling required |
| Fire rating | CMP covers all functions | Must verify each cable | Check per application |
| Serviceability | Self-documenting | Requires tracing | Requires tracing |
9888 vs 9898 — The One-Line Difference
Syston 9888
Standard PlenumRatingCMP / CL3P Plenum
ShieldCard reader pair OAS
Diameter0.390 in
Best ForOffice, school, retail
Coverage80% of all installs
✓ Standard commercial install — choose 9888.
Syston 9898
No EMI RiskRatingCMP / CL3P Plenum
ShieldDUAL Overall + each cable OAS + drain
Diameter0.410 in
Best ForHospital, elevator zone, VFD
CoverageMaximum EMI protection
✓ EMI environment — 9898 = zero callbacks.
Syston 9888 (Standard) & 9898 (Dual Shield) — Both available in 500 ft RhinoPac spools, ready to ship
5
Syston 9888 & 9898 — Full Specifications
Both cables engineered for one goal: install-ready, jobsite-optimized performance. No shortcuts on materials or ratings.
9888
CMP Plenum — Card Reader Pair Shielded
Conductors18/4 + 22/3PR OAS + 22/2 + 22/4
JacketCMP / CL3P / Plenum PVC Low-Smoke
ShieldCard reader pair OAS + drain wire
Diameter0.390 in
Length500 ft spool (custom available)
ProtocolsWiegand + OSDP RS-485 v2
StandardsNEC 725 & 800, UL 13 & 444, NFPA 262, ISO 9001:2015, RoHS 3
Temp Install+32–+140°F
Temp Storage-4–+167°F
Best For: Standard Plenum Installs
9898
CMP Plenum — Overall + Each Cable Shielded
Conductors18/4 + 22/3PR OAS + 22/2 + 22/4
JacketCMP / CL3P / Plenum PVC Low-Smoke
ShieldDUAL Overall jacket + each cable OAS + drain
Length500 ft spool (custom available)
StandardsNEC 725 & 800, UL 13 & 444, NFPA 262, RS-485, ISO 9001:2015, RoHS 3
Temp Install+32–+140°F
Temp Storage-4–+167°F
Best For: High-EMI Plenum Installs
Shared Features — Both Products
RhinoPac PackagingTangle-free dispensing, crush-resistant, smooth pull during installation
E-Z Footage MarkingsAscending + descending markers — no measuring tape needed on the pull
Ripcord (Banana Peel Strip)Runs longitudinally under jacket — fast, clean strip, no conductor damage
Color-Coded ConductorsOrange (lock), White (reader), Blue (door contact), Green (REX)
RoHS 3 CompliantEU 2015/863 — no hazardous substances
ISO 9001:2015 CertifiedThird-party verified manufacturing quality
CL3 Rated300V — can replace any CL2 application
Access Control Wiring Basics — Step-by-Step Installation Tutorial
A practical access control wiring tutorial covering how to connect a controller, card reader, lock, and REX device — exactly the functions carried by Syston composite cable.
Access control wiring basics — step-by-step installation demo. Demonstrates the functions carried by Syston composite cable.
6
Common Mistakes — Wrong vs Right
✕ Riser in Plenum Space
- CMR above HVAC plenum ceiling
- Fails AHJ inspection — full re-pull
- NEC 725.154(A) violation
✓ CMP in Plenum Space
- NFPA 262 low-smoke CMP jacket
- CMP can substitute for CMR anywhere
- Passes inspection every time
✕ Separate Cable Pulls
- 4–5 individual cables per door
- Complex conduit fill per opening
- Field labeling = guaranteed errors
✓ One Composite Pull
- Single jacket, four functions
- Factory color-coded conductors
- Fewer panel entries, clean install
✕ No Shielding in High-EMI Zone
- Reader signal bleeds near elevator
- Intermittent access denials
- Impossible to diagnose after handoff
✓ Overall Aluminum Shield (9898)
- Continuous signal integrity
- Required in healthcare, data centers
- Drain wire grounded at panel end only
✕ 22 AWG for Lock Power
- Voltage drop kills mag-locks on long runs
- Lock failure at end-of-day power dip
- Service calls, angry facility managers
✓ 18/4 for Lock Power
- Adequate current capacity for all lock types
- Safe voltage drop on typical commercial runs
- Always calculate drop on runs >100 ft
7
Real Application Scenarios
Watch
Single Door Access Control — Wiring Demo
Watch
Access Control Wiring — Step by Step
Basic access control system wiring walkthrough — controller, lock, reader, REX connections.
Office Tenant Improvement
Multi-Door Efficiency
15-door floor renovation. Conduit already crowded from the previous tenant. One composite pull fits where 5 cables wouldn't. Job completed in 2 days instead of 3. No re-pulls, no relabeling.
Cable: Syston 9888 CMP — Time saved: ~1 day per floor. Callbacks: zero.School Security Retrofit
Code Compliance on a Schedule
Summer break: 3 weeks to add card reader access to 30 exterior doors. Plenum ceilings throughout. CMP mandatory. E-Z footage markings eliminate measuring tape delays.
Cable: Syston 9888 CMP — 30 doors, 30 pulls. Done on time.Hospital Corridor Access Control
Reliability Over Cost
Imaging equipment on the same floor generates constant EMI. A failed access event in healthcare is a safety incident, not just a callback. Overall shielded jacket eliminates noise from day one.
Cable: Syston 9898 CMP Shielded — Signal: consistent. Incidents: zero.Retail Chain Rollout
Speed and Cost Control at Scale
50-location rollout. Speed per store is the margin driver. Composite cable reduces per-door pull time by more than half. Standardized color coding means any tech from any location can service any door without a wiring diagram.
Cable: Syston 9888 CMP — 50 stores. Same cable. Any tech. Any door.8
Quick Selection Guide
| Install Scenario | Recommended | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plenum ceiling, standard EMI | Syston 9888 | CMP | Plenum-rated, reader pair shielded, cost-efficient |
| Plenum ceiling, high EMI | Syston 9898 | CMP Shield | Dual shield — overall + reader pair |
| Healthcare / hospital | Syston 9898 | CMP Shield | Imaging equip, elevator motors — mandatory |
| Office TI, multi-door | Syston 9888 | CMP | Clean electrical, standard commercial |
| School retrofit | Syston 9888 | CMP | CMP required, budget-conscious, fast install |
| Retail rollout, high door count | Syston 9888 | CMP | Speed-optimized, standardized across locations |
| Near elevator, VFD, power equip | Syston 9898 | CMP Shield | Consistent reader performance in high-noise zones |
| OSDP v2 future-ready | 9888 or 9898 | CMP OSDP | 22/3PR OAS satisfies RS-485 OSDP requirements |
| Long run >100 ft, remote door | Syston 9898 | CMP Shield | Higher EMI exposure; calculate voltage drop on 18/4 |
Why Syston Access Control Cable
3 reasons installers choose it:
01
One cable replaces four.
Instead of pulling lock power, reader signal, door contact, and REX separately — this is one cable with all four inside. One pull per door.
02
Faster installs mean more jobs per month.
Crews finish doors faster. More projects per crew, per month — without adding headcount.
03
Fewer mistakes, fewer callbacks.
Factory color-coded conductors. No field labeling means no mislabeling — and no warranty calls six months later.
"Syston is one of the easiest access control cable systems to work with on the jobsite. It simplifies installation, reduces confusion, and keeps the job moving."
Distributor Inquiries → 9898 Spec Sheet → 9888 Spec Sheet →
9
Installer Quick Answers
What is composite access control cable?
One cable with four functions built in: lock power (18/4), card reader signal (22/3PR shielded), door contact (22/2), and REX (22/4). One pull per door instead of four or five.
Can I use CMR cable in a plenum space?
No. CMR is not code-compliant in HVAC plenum spaces. CMP is required. CMP can substitute for CMR anywhere, but not the reverse. When in doubt, always pull CMP. (NEC 725.154(A))
Do I need shielded cable for access control?
In standard office environments: no — the reader pair OAS shield in the 9888 is sufficient. Near elevators, VFDs, or industrial equipment: yes — use the 9898 with overall jacket shielding.
What cable do I need for OSDP readers?
OSDP v2 uses RS-485 — a twisted shielded pair. Both 9888 and 9898 include 22/3PR OAS which satisfies this. Both also support legacy Wiegand. One cable, both protocols. (SIA OSDP)
How many cables per door?
One composite cable covers standard door functions: lock, reader, door contact, REX. For dual readers, fire interface, or additional I/O — verify conductor count before ordering.
What about voltage drop for lock power?
The 18/4 conductors handle 12VDC and 24VDC loads. For runs under 100 feet, drop is typically acceptable. For runs over 100 feet, calculate against the lock's minimum operating voltage. Contact Syston tech support if needed.
What is 4-in-1 access control cable?
Another term for composite access control cable — four conductor groups inside one jacket. Syston 9888 and 9898 are both 4-in-1 CMP plenum-rated composite cables.
10
Installer Pre-Pull Checklist
Five items. Check before every pull. Each one corresponds to a mistake that, if missed, costs rework.
1
Environment verified. Does any portion of the cable path pass through plenum (HVAC air-handling) space? If yes — entire run must be CMP-rated. No exceptions.
2
Cable rating confirmed. Plenum path: 9888 CMP or 9898 CMP. Riser-only: CMR acceptable. Mixed path: CMP for the entire run.
3
Shielding requirement assessed. EMI sources identified: elevator shafts, VFDs, high-voltage conduit, industrial HVAC. If any present — select 9898 overall shield.
4
Protocol confirmed. Wiegand or OSDP v2? Both 9888 and 9898 support both. Document for service records.
5
Voltage drop calculated. Run >100 ft? Calculate VD on the 18/4 conductors against the lock's minimum operating voltage. Adjust power supply if needed.
Print this checklist. Attach to your job folder. 60 seconds before each pull — prevents callbacks that cost hours.
11
60-Second Decision Tree
Fig. 3 — 60-second cable selector flowchart. Answer two questions, get one clear answer. Composite access control cable decision tree: Syston 9888 vs 9898.
Not sure about EMI? Always choose 9898. Over-shielding never fails inspection.
Ready to Simplify Your Next Install?
Syston 9888 and 9898 are in stock in 500 ft spools, RhinoPac packaged, ready to ship.
Specs, datasheets, and distributor pricing available now.
References & Standards
- Syston 9888 — CMP Access Control Composite Cable: systoncable.com
- Syston 9898 — Shielded CMP Access Control Cable: systoncable.com
- Syston Store — Order Online: store.systoncable.com
- NFPA 70 NEC — Article 725, Section 725.154(A): nfpa.org
- Security Industry Association — OSDP Standard: securityindustry.org
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