Why do I need CL3 or CL2 rated cable for in-wall installations?

Anyone who has remodeled a home or has construction experience knows that when it comes to a home, there are many rules we must follow when making alterations. This comes into play when we want to install a good home entertainment system in our home. Any wiring or cable that enters our wall must meet NEC specifications.

One of the most common cables coming through walls lately is HDMI cables. Most people don’t know that we can’t just go to the A/V store and buy any HDMI cable to put in our walls. The NEC requires signal cables, such as HDMI cables, to have at least a CL2 rating for installation inside homes in the United States. For industrial applications, cables that meet the CL3 requirement must be used.

The main benefit of using cables like these is that they will not produce toxic fumes if the house or building catches fire. They are also designed not to make a home fire worse. Many standard HDMI cables that are not CL2 or CL3 rated are not CL2 rated and, when exposed to fire, may emit dangerous gases or cause a fire to grow more rapidly.

Because of these dangers, it is important to select a quality CL2 or CL3 HDMI cable for your home theater installations. Running HDMI cables through walls can be an expensive and time-consuming task. Be sure to select a high quality cable so the job only has to be done once! Also check with your local homeowners association and building inspector to see if they require you to obtain permits for home theater installations.