Where Screening Appears in ZION Fire Cable Tables
EN 50200 PH120 entries list fibre glass tape with more than 110% coverage as a first screen and aluminum polyester tape with more than 120% coverage as a second screen. PH30 and BS 7629 entries list PET foil with more than 120% coverage as the first screen, then aluminum polyester tape as the second screen.
Drain Wire Details
Several EN and BS fire resistant cable families list a tinned copper drain wire with an outer diameter of 0.80 mm. UL shielded fire alarm cable entries list a tinned copper drain wire together with aluminum Mylar tape. UL unshielded entries list drain wire as without.
| Cable Context | Screen / Shield Detail | Drain Wire Detail |
|---|---|---|
| EN 50200 PH120 | Fibre glass tape and aluminum polyester tape | Tinned copper; OD 0.80 mm. |
| EN 50200 PH30 / BS 7629 Standard 60 | PET foil and aluminum polyester tape | Tinned copper; OD 0.80 mm. |
| UL shielded fire alarm cable | Aluminum Mylar tape | Tinned copper drain wire. |
| UL unshielded fire alarm cable | Unshielded | Without drain wire. |
Shielded vs Unshielded UL Fire Alarm Cable
ZION's UL fire alarm cable entries divide plenum and riser versions into shielded and unshielded product families. The shielded versions add aluminum Mylar tape and drain wire, while unshielded versions do not include these elements.
Information to Confirm Before Selection
When screening matters, confirm whether the project calls for shielded or unshielded construction, the applicable standard, conductor size, number of cores, sheath color, operating voltage, and installation route. Avoid choosing only by cable diameter or AWG size.
FAQ
Do all ZION fire cables include drain wire?
No. Several screened EN/BS families and UL shielded families list drain wire, while UL unshielded families list drain wire as without.
Is aluminum Mylar tape the same as aluminum polyester tape?
They are both screen-related materials in the catalog, but they appear in different product family descriptions. Use the exact datasheet wording for the selected cable.
Can I switch from shielded to unshielded if the AWG is the same?
Do not switch based on AWG alone. Confirm the circuit requirement, project standard, and construction requirement first.
