1000-Feet 18/4 Solid Core Alarm Wire

There are plenty of options when it comes to alarm cabling. When talking about 18-4 wire, it refers to a wire with a gauge rating of 18 AWG and four (4) smaller inner wires inside the cable. The small inner wires are labeled red, black, yellow, and green/white to help the installer identify their purpose and function. But really, the color of a wire is arbitrary , and you can use any of the wires for any of the connections. Just make sure to label everything, and do not put a wire at the incorrect terminal by mistake.

Most alarm wiring projects involve 2-wire and 4-wire connections. As such, there is both 2-conductor and 4-conductor wiring. You can really use these wires interchangeably, but if you don't have the "correct" type around, then you will make some necessary sacrifices. If you use 2-conductor cabling for a 4-wire project, then you will need to double up the wiring. That will mean having two (2) red wires and two (2) black wires. You might run into confusion later if you failed to label your wires. Meanwhile, the sacrifice to be made when using 4-conductor cabling for a 2-wire project is that two of the inner wires will be left loose and unconnected.

If you are just looking for one (1) type of wire to keep around, we generally recommend 18-2 stranded alarm wire. We find that 18-gauge wire provides the optimal balance of supporting long wire runes and being flexible and easy to work with. And using 2-conductor wiring generally looks neater than using 4-conductor wiring all of the time, as loose unconnected wires can really appear out of place. But if you want to be truly prepared for any wiring situation, then you will want to have every type around. You might also consider 22-gauge cabling, as it is thinner and more flexible. But 18-gauge wire will support longer runs.

For DIYers and those who are new or unfamiliar with wiring, we usually steer them towards stranded wire, as opposed to solid core wire. The advantage of stranded wire is that it is less likely to break off when making tight connections, and it is a lot more forgiving and maneuverable in general. If you are working with solid core wiring, it will be more likely to break if you aren't careful. On this page, you will find solid core wiring, which is preferred by some installers. So if you prefer working with solid core wiring, then the listings here are a great option. You will find 1,000 foot rolls of 18-4 solid core alarm wiring, which will surely last you awhile. Though if you do regular electrical work, you may be surprised how quickly you move through it!