5 Tips to Choosing Best Ethernet Cables
Which of these, Cat5e Ethernet Cable, Cat6 Ethernet Cable, or Cat6a Ethernet Cable, best meets your needs? If you are a rookie looking to purchase best ethernet cables for your office, you will quickly become lost in the jargon. So hang in there with us because we’ve got your back.
What are Ethernet cables used for?
Ethernet cables are used to connect PCs and laptops to networks, modems, and routers. As mentioned, ethernet comprises four twisted pairs of eight solid core copper wires that carry data using RJ-45 connectors.
Although you can send data using only two pairs of your ethernet connection, you’ll get the best reliability and performance if you use all four. It is because wired networks [networks that use ethernet cables] are considerably superior to wireless networks in reliability and security.
Cat5e Ethernet Cable, 1000ft Cat6 Plenum Cable, and Cat6a Ethernet Cable are the most popular and in-demand cables these days. Let’s look at the features of each one separately so you can make an informed decision when purchasing ethernet cables.
Cat5e Ethernet Cable
The Cat5e Ethernet Cable is designed to transport data at up to 1Gbps (Gigabits per second) over a distance of 100 meters. In addition, it has a capability of 350 MHz bandwidth.
This cable complies with all EIA and TIA requirements. Eight pure copper wires are twisted together in 4 protected pairs in this cable, resulting in less crosstalk and EMIs (electromagnetic interferences).
Shielded or unshielded twisted pairs are available. The cable will be labelled UTP if it is not protected. The cable will be labelled STP if it is insulated.
All three varieties have the same data transmission speeds and bandwidth capacities. However, the material of the jacket is the central aspect that distinguishes them from one another.
Plenum cables have CMP ratings on their jackets. The fire-retardant plenum-rated cables are helpful in a fire because they prevent the fire from spreading to other floors. They’re also resistant to the sun’s rays. You can use Cat5e plenum cable instead of Cat5e riser cable because it has a higher level of durability.
Cat6 Ethernet Cable
Cat6 Ethernet Cable raises the bar on data transmission speed and bandwidth capacity. These cables can transmit data at a staggering 10 Gbps (Gigabits per second) over a distance of 165 feet (50 meters). However, when the length is increased to 330 feet, the speed drops to 1 Gbps.
It, too, employs an RJ-45 connector and has eight copper connectors twisted into four pairs. Cat6 Ethernet cables come in two types: UTP and STP. Plenum cables feature jackets that are CMP-rated. It indicates that they are composed of high-quality materials and suitable for use in residential and business settings. In addition, the CMP-rated jackets offer exceptional resistance to fire spread.
Underwater has also validated these cables as UL910 compliant, which means they fulfil industry standards.
Cat6a Ethernet Cable
Cat6a Ethernet Cable’s “a” stands for “augmented.” The Cat6a ethernet cable has a bandwidth of 750MHz and can transport data at a rate of 10 Gbps (Gigabits per second) over a distance of 100 meters.
This cable is appropriate for 100VG-AnyLAN (IEEE802.12), 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 750 MHz Broadband Video Voice applications.
Bulk Cat6a cable is an excellent solution if you need high bandwidth capacity, good performance, low crosstalk, and high data transmission speeds.
Five tips for picking the best ethernet cable for your office
Here are five crucial pieces of advice for choosing the best ethernet cable for your office:
- Check Your Internet Speed
When choosing an internet cable for your workplace, the first thing you should consider is your office’s internet speed.
2) Length of the cable
The length of the ethernet cable is the second aspect that determines your decision; the longer the cable, the slower the signal speed, and the shorter the cable, the faster the signal speed.
3) Place of Installation
The installation location is crucial, as sure cables are only permitted to be installed in specific areas. For example, you’ll need a plenum-rated cable in your office’s plenum spaces; you can use plenum-rated and riser-rated cables in riser areas, and PVC cables are the finest for outdoor installation.
4) Always buy pure copper cable
Ethernet cables are made of pure copper or copper-clad aluminium. We recommend using pure copper ethernet cables for the best results, such as minimized crosstalk and excellent signal strength.
The pure copper cable is labelled “TIA 568-C22,” while the copper-clad aluminium is labelled “CCA.” While the latter is less expensive, the former will provide you with the best value for your money and will last far longer.
5) STP or UTP
Copper tape’s metal shield provides an extra layer of protection for STP or UTP ethernet cables. Crosstalk and electromagnetic interference are considerably reduced by this shield, resulting in faster data transfer speeds.
You can use UTP cables in locations where EMI and crosstalk aren’t a worry, but STP cables should be used if there are powerful magnetic shields all around. STP cables are, once again, on the pricey side, but they deliver the best experience.
