What is the most commonly used wire for powering burglar alarm peripherals?

• A. 22/4 stranded
• B. 18/2 solid copper
• C. 16/3 stranded copper
• D. 24/3 stranded copper

Answer: (A)

In burglar alarm installations, wiring for peripherals needs to be flexible, easy to pull through walls, and capable of carrying the small continuous current these devices draw. The most common choice is 22-gauge stranded cable with four conductors. The 22 AWG size is small and practical for low-voltage runs, and being stranded makes the wire much more flexible than solid copper, which helps during installation and routing through tight spaces. Having four conductors gives enough room to power the device (two conductors) and still have spare conductors for ancillary functions such as signaling, supervision, or tamper circuits without pulling a new cable. Heavier gauges (like 16 AWG) are unnecessary for typical peripherals and harder to pull, while a thinner option with fewer conductors may not provide enough current capacity or flexibility for all installation needs.