When buying ethernet network cables, there are a few things that you must keep in mind. Why? Because ethernet cables come in a wide variety, so it becomes imperative that you have ample knowledge about all the types so that you can get the best value for your money.
Categories of Ethernet cables
Following are the types of ethernet cables:
- Cat5e Cables
- Cat6 Cables
- Cat6a
Let’s dive a bit more to learn more about these modern data transfer cables.
Cat5e Cables
Cat5e Cables are basically fifth-generation ethernet cables that are designed to accommodate data transfer rates of up to 1 Gbps over a length of 50 meters and up to 100 Mbps over a length of 100 meters. The cable has a decent bandwidth capacity of 350 MHz.
Exploring the inner structure, the cable has as many as 8 conductors. For optimum performance and for protection against intruders like crosstalk and EMI (electromagnetic interference), these 8 conductors are tightly bundled together in 4 twisted pairs. The cable runs 24AWG. serdivan escort
The conductors are made from 2 types of material: pure copper or copper-clad aluminum. Pure copper conductors are superior to the two as they have less attenuation. It means when it comes to losing signal strength over longer distances, copper-clad aluminum conductors beat the two. Also, pure copper conductors turn more energy into data packets and less is wasted in form of heat.
Ethernet Cables Jacket
Now that we have explored the inner structure of the Cat5e cables, let’s explore the outer structure. The outer structure of ethernet cables has a thick jacket. The jacket comes in the following 3 types:
- Plenum
- Riser
- PVC
The plenum is the top-rated and most premium ethernet jacket. These jackets have excellent protection against crosstalk and EMI. Furthermore, these cables have top-notch fire-retardant and UV resistance. As the name suggests, Cat5e plenum cables are meant for installation in the vulnerable plenum space of the building. Plenum spaces are empty spaces in the buildings that facilitate return airflows such as air conditioning and heating.
Then, there are shielded twisted pair (STP) Cat5e Cables and unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables. Shielded cables have an extra layer or layers of protection in form of a foil sheet that is either wrapped around each individual pair or all pairs combined. These cables carry a heavy price tag. serdivan escort bayan
As far as UTP cables are concerned, they do not have an extra layer of protection and are generally meant for installation in the areas where crosstalk and EMI are very little or non-existent. On the other hand, STP cables are meant for places whereas crosstalk and EMI are present in large quantities.
Cat6 Cables
Hailing from the family of the 6th generation ethernet cables, Cat6 cables are premium cables that provide lightning-fast data transfer rates. The cable supports 10 Gbps data transfer over a distance of 50 meters or 164 feet. Likewise, the cable supports data transfer rates of 1 Gbps over a distance of 100 meters or 328 feet.
The cables have a bandwidth capacity of 550 MHz. Likewise, Cat6 cables, too, have 8 conductors that are tightly bundled together in 4 twisted pairs. Likewise, the conductors of Cat6 cables are either made up of pure copper or copper-clad aluminum.
Also, the cable is available in three plenum, riser, and PVC jackets. Besides data transfer rates and bandwidth capacity, the only other thing that differs Cat6 cables from the Cat5e cables is the wire gauge; Cat6 ethernet cables run 23AWG.
Cat6a Cables
These cables are renowned for facilitating 10 Gbps data transfer rates over a distance of 100 meters with an augmented bandwidth capacity of 750 MHz.
Cat6a ethernet cables have 8 conductors. Just like the 2 aforesaid cables, the conductors of the Cat6a cables are either made up of pure copper conductors or copper-clad aluminum. These cables run 23AWG and are available in plenum, riser, and PVC jackets.
These cables, too, are available in the shielded and unshielded versions.
Which ethernet cable is right for you?
It depends on various factors, the first of which is data transfer speed. These days, people usually opt for either Cat6 cables or Cat6a cables as they support all modern applications with ease and are backward compatible, too. Furthermore, installing Cat6 or Cat6a cables will also future-proof your network for ages. So that when any update comes, you don’t have to buy a new cable. Thus, installing category 6 cables rid you of unnecessary upgrade expenses. escort bayan
The second factor that influences the decision is the space where you are going to run ethernet cables. If you are going to run the ethernet cable in the plenum spaces of the building, then you will buy a plenum-rated cable. Likewise, if you need to run a cable in the riser spaces of the building, then you will need to buy a riser-rated cable. For installation in the outdoor spaces, you can rely on a PVC-rated cable.
