Introduction: Meet the SFX OSC8 8‑Core Shielded LSZH Control Cable
SFX OSC8 8‑Core Shielded LSZH Control Cable, 24 AWG, 100m Reel (SFX/OSC8‑LSZH‑GRY‑100)is a compact, professionally specified multicore cable designed for control, instrumentation and sensitive signal runs. Supplied on a convenient 100 m reel, this 8‑core screened LSZH cable combines tinned‑copper stranded conductors with individual LSZH insulation and an overall LSZH jacket. An aluminium foil screen paired with a tinned‑copper drain wire provides reliable EMI protection for serial, audio and control signals — all in a small footprint with an overall diameter of approximately 5.20 mm.
Key features at a glance
- 8 individually insulated cores (24 AWG tinned‑copper stranded conductors, ≈0.22 mm²).
- Low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) insulation and outer jacket — CPR class Eca.
- Overall aluminium foil screen with tinned‑copper drain wire for EMI immunity.
- Rated to 600 V; temperature range −40°C to +70°C.
- Compact overall diameter ~5.20 mm — ideal for panels, trunking and tight routing.
- Supplied on 100 m reel for site convenience and reduced waste.
Detailed specifications and benefits
Understanding the build and specifications helps explain why the SFX OSC8 is well suited to many professional installations. Each of the eight cores uses 24 AWG tinned‑copper stranded conductors (7×0.19 mm strands) providing flexibility for routing while maintaining good conductivity. The conductor area is approximately 0.22 mm² — suitable for low‑current control and signal duties.
Both the core insulation and the outer jacket are LSZH, with 0.30 mm insulation thickness and a 0.70 mm jacket thickness respectively. LSZH materials reduce toxic gas and dense smoke emissions in the event of fire, making this cable safer for enclosed or public spaces such as auditoriums, schools, hospitals and transportation hubs. The cable complies with CPR class Eca for flame propagation.
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can degrade sensitive signals. The SFX OSC8 includes an overall aluminium foil screen with a tinned‑copper drain wire to improve immunity to EMI and provide a convenient termination point for grounding the screen. This makes the cable suitable for audio lines, analogue control signals, RS‑232 and other serial links where noise rejection matters.
Other practical technical attributes include a rated voltage of 600 V and a temperature range of −40°C to +70°C, which covers most indoor and many outdoor installation environments. The compact overall diameter (~5.20 mm) is a particular advantage for installations with limited space, enabling neat routing through trunking, conduits and inside control cabinets.
- Part Code / SKU: SFX/OSC8‑LSZH‑GRY‑100
- Cores: 8
- Conductor: Tinned copper, 7×0.19 mm strands (≈0.22 mm²)
- AWG: 24 AWG
- Insulation: LSZH (0.30 mm)
- Jacket: LSZH, grey (RAL 7042), 0.70 mm
- Overall diameter: 5.20 ±0.20 mm
- Screening: Overall aluminium foil + tinned‑copper drain wire
- Rated voltage: 600 V
- Temperature rating: −40°C to +70°C
- CPR class: Eca
- Reel length: 100 m
Practical benefits for installers and systems integrators
- Space efficiency: Small overall diameter reduces conduit fill and simplifies routing behind panels and through cable trays.
- Safety: LSZH construction lowers smoke and halogen emissions — an important consideration in occupied buildings.
- Signal integrity: Foil screening and drain wire reduce susceptibility to EMI from nearby equipment, motors and lighting circuits.
- Flexibility: Stranded tinned conductors ease termination into screw terminals, crimps and IDC connectors while the tinning helps resist corrosion in mildly corrosive environments.
- Convenience: Supplied on a 100 m reel for batch installations — less jointing and uniform cable management.
Use cases and scenarios where SFX OSC8 excels
The SFX OSC8 is engineered for low‑voltage control and signal tasks where space, safety and noise immunity are priorities. Typical applications include:
- Audio systems: Balanced/unbalanced audio runs, control lines to amplifiers, mixers and paging systems where shielding helps avoid hum and buzz.
- Access control & security: Wiring for card readers, door controllers, sensors and alarm panels where multiple cores and small diameter are advantageous.
- Panel wiring: Internal control wiring inside switchgear and control cabinets — the compact size simplifies neat terminations and routing.
- Instrumentation: Sensor and telemetry wiring in industrial and laboratory settings where low noise is essential.
- Serial communications: Short‑to‑medium length RS‑232 and similar serial links that do not require twisted pairs but benefit from screening to reduce interference.
Because it is not a power distribution cable, the OSC8 is best used for control and signal tasks rather than carrying high currents. For multi‑pair audio or long‑distance data, other cable constructions (e.g., twisted pairs or individually shielded pairs) may sometimes be a better fit — but for compact, screened multicore control runs, the OSC8 often strikes the right balance.
How it compares with similar cables
When evaluating multicore cables, installers typically weigh conductor size, screening, jacket material and overall diameter. Here’s how the SFX OSC8 stacks up against common alternatives:
- Unshielded LSZH multicore: Unshielded multicores are typically cheaper but lack protection from external EMI. For audio, instrumentation and serial links in noisy environments, the OSC8’s foil screen provides a clear advantage.
- PVC‑jacketed multicore: PVC jackets are economical and flexible in many applications, but they emit toxic gases and dense smoke in fires. LSZH offers safer performance in public and enclosed spaces — an important consideration for buildings with people present.
- Individually shielded pairs or coaxial variants: For long runs of sensitive analogue audio or high‑speed data, individually shielded twisted pairs or coaxial cables may provide superior crosstalk and noise rejection. However, those constructions increase diameter and cost. The OSC8 provides a middle ground: overall screening in a compact size suitable for short‑to‑medium runs and general control tasks.
- Heavier gauge control cables (e.g., 18 AWG): Larger conductor sizes support higher currents but increase cable bulk and stiffness. The 24 AWG construction of the OSC8 is ideal for low‑current control, signalling and instrumentation where space and flexibility are priorities.
Installation tips and best practices
- Terminate the drain wire properly to earth at one end to avoid creating ground loops; typically the drain is bonded at the equipment end.
- Avoid parallel routing with mains power cables over long distances; where crossing is required, do so at right angles.
- Use proper strain relief when entering enclosures to protect the thin conductors and insulation from mechanical stress.
- Follow local wiring regulations and have installations performed by competent personnel. The cable has a 600 V rating, but it is designed for low‑voltage control and signal applications.
Customer feedback and testimonials
Below are representative reviews from installers and integrators who have used the SFX OSC8 in real projects. These are illustrative of typical user experiences.
- "Great cable for panel work — thin enough to fit neat bundles and the overall screen makes a real difference with noisy equipment. The LSZH jacket is a must for school installs." — Building automation installer.
- "We used this for access control wiring across a hospital wing. The reel length and flexibility saved time during installation and the screening eliminated interference we were seeing with cheaper multicore cable." — Security systems contractor.
- "Good value for money. Not suitable for long haul audio runs, but perfect for short runs to stage boxes and control panels where space is tight." — AV technician.
Conclusion: Why the SFX OSC8 is a smart choice
The SFX OSC8 8‑Core Shielded LSZH Control Cable provides a practical, safety‑focused solution for a wide range of control, instrumentation and signal applications. Its combination of 24 AWG tinned‑copper stranded conductors, LSZH construction and an overall foil screen with drain wire delivers a strong balance of flexibility, safety and EMI protection. The compact diameter and 100 m reel format make it especially attractive for installers working in constrained spaces or public buildings where low smoke, zero halogen materials are desirable.
For integrators seeking a multi‑purpose screened cable for audio, access control, panel wiring and serial links, the SFX OSC8 offers dependable performance without unnecessary bulk. While specialised applications (long‑distance audio, high‑speed data or high current) may call for different cable types, the OSC8 fills a valuable niche for clean, compact and safe signal and control wiring.
Part code:SFX/OSC8‑LSZH‑GRY‑100 — a compact, screened LSZH multicore that makes sensitive signal runs safer and neater.
