What is the Best Ethernet Cable for Networking?
Ethernet cables are a type of data cable. ‘Ethernet’ is the technique used for connection to a local area network, hence the origin of the name of the cables. Cabling is one of your network's most critical components.
Which is the Best Data Cable?
There are three major data cable types which can be categorised – Coaxial (copper), Twisted Pair (copper), and Fibre Optic (fibre).
Those made from copper are typically more affordable but can reach up to 10GB rates while those made from fibre are more costly but faster and stronger when it comes to the signal deterioration. However, both options offer a superior data transmission.
Your choice would be determined by your present network, future networking demands, and applications, which include bandwidth, distances, environment, cost, and other factors.
Copper has traditionally been used in lower-speed, short-distance networks, while fibre has traditionally been utilised in higher-speed, long-distance networks. However, with the introduction of copper cable capable of 10-gigabit speeds, this maxim is no longer valid. A hybrid network with a fibre backbone and copper horizontal cable may be the best option.
What to consider before you make a decision
- The cable you select will be influenced by the kind of network you wish to run.
- Calculate the maximum distance between the network and the farthest computer on your network
- Take into account the bend radius and the amount of space available for cable runs in the floor and ceiling.
- Check for any electromagnetic interference
- Check for any physical limitations that may affect the cable of your choice
What is the Best Ethernet Cable for Networking?
Ethernet cable specs can be complicated, and there are several factors to consider while selecting one, including the cable's length, category, and design.
Whether speed is your primary priority or security is more important to you, the decision should be based on the cable’s category rating:
Cat5e
Cat 5e cables carry fast connection and timely transmissions across long distance. They are also cost-effective compared to the others.
Cat 6
Cat 6 cables carry much faster data transmission speeds over longer distances. They also can reduce crosstalk – a disruption occurrence on your communication channels when the signal transfers.
Cat 7
Cat 7a cables have a double shielding which makes them more resilient to interference. They are much more modern and reliable for a Smart Home.
For more information on our range of data and ethernet cables, get in touch with our expert team!
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Does the Length of a Cable Affect the Speed?
Network speed is not significantly affected by the length of an ethernet cable, especially with current/recent cables and networks.Nonetheless, that does not mean you can attach one end of a data cable to one end of the world and the other to your device and think it will operate the same way as a connection to a nearby router.To put it another way, there is a limit to how long a cable can be. Although there is no set limit to the length of the cable, a long ethernet cable can result in a reduction in delay.What Is The Reason?The reduction is mostly due to the length of time a signal must travel through the cable. The longer the travel distance, the more likely there are to be interferences. That is extremely unlikely to be noticed, especially when comparing two wires.The impacts are barely evident until the wire get beyond 100m in length. However, the maximum bandwidth supported by your ethernet cable will have a big impact on this.For example:- Running a Cat 5 cable or Cat 5e for less than 100m – no speed change- Running the same cables for more than 100m – a speed drop Types of Cable and Their Maximum LengthsHere are the different types of cables:VGA cable – maximum length before a signal is lost or disrupted – between 10 and 15 mHDMI cable – maximum length before a signal is lost or disrupted – 15mUSB 2.0 – maximum length before a signal is lost or disrupted – 5mUSB 3.0 – maximum length before a signal is lost or disrupted – 3mCat5 and Cat6 ethernet cable – maximum length before a signal is lost or disrupted – 100mNormal fibre optic – maximum length before a signal is lost or disrupted – 10mQuality fibre optic – maximum length before a signal is lost or disrupted – 60mWhat Does Speed Mean?The often referred ‘speed’ in fact means signal strength – the amount provided over how long is a signal strength factor. After 100m, your signal strength will plummet because of bandwidth loss from signal loss throughout the length of the run, increasing noise from crosstalk, and leakage.ConclusionTo conclude, depending on the sort of ethernet cable you have, anything less than 100 to 110m in length will have an insignificant effect on your speeds. However, bear in mind that across long distances, latency will be increased.For more information on our range of data and ethernet cables, get in touch with our expert team!
Can you Repair a Cut Data Cable?
Fibre optic cable can be damaged, cut, or fractured by mistake. A major cause of optical fibre failure is backhoe fade, accidental damage which can cut or completely sever a data cable during digging.How to Repair a Broken Fibre Optic CableAn Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is required – it is used for measuring fibre length, transmission and joint attenuation, and fault localisation.Below is a step-by-step guide on how to repair a broken cable:Step 1: Use OTDR to locate the break – the reflectometer, mentioned above, works as a radar which sends a light pulse to the optical fibre cable Step 2: Cut the damaged cable using fibre optic cutters – dig up the fibre optic cable that is damaged after determining its location and then proceed to cut it out Step 3: Strip the cable using fibre optic stripper – strip it on both ends and peel carefully to expose the tube inside, cut any sheath and/or yarn Step 4: Trim the damage on the cable using high precision fibre cleaver Step 5: Clean the striped cable – it is important to make sure that you have a clean wire strip; use alcohol and lint-free wipes, once cleaned the fibre should not touch anything Step 6: Join the fibre optic cable back together – that can be done using two different methods, mechanical splicing or fusion splicing. Step 7: Carry out a connection test with OTDR After this, you’re done!Explore our range of data cables here, check out this guide to the types of data cable, or find a wholesaler near you today.
Data Cable Types
Data cables are used to transmit electronic data from one location to another. Data cabling is either copper or fibre optics, and it is widely utilised in computer and communications systems.They can be classified into three major types:Coaxial cables (copper) Twisted pair cables (copper) Optic cables (fibre) Each has distinct properties that makes them identifiable.CoaxialCoaxial cable carries high frequency signals, and it is mostly used in older computer networks. These types of cable have a solid wire core conductor that is enclosed in an insulator and covered by a metal foil outer conductor. The circuit is completed by this outer conductor, and the entire cable is secured by a plastic cover.Though coaxial cables have a larger bandwidth, they have a far higher attenuation than twisted-pair cables. It's common in digital telephone cable wiring networks, where a single cable may transmit up to 600 Mbps of data.Coax cabling requires the use of a specific connection known as a BNC connector, which is used to connect the cable's end to a device.Twisted PairTwisted pair cables are primarily used for telecommunications and computer networks. They are made up of two copper cores that are twisted together, and each have their own plastic insulation – one carries the signal while the other is used as ground reference.The benefit of twisting is that external factors affect both wires equally. The twisting of the wires protects data transfers from signal deterioration. However, the typical length of a twisted pair cable before signal loss is around 300 feet.Types of Twisted Pair CablesUTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cable – has one additional metal shield covering the insulated twisted pair conductors Fibre Optic CableFibre optic cables provide fast connections to the Internet via data signals in the form of light. They are primarily used in cable and telephony companies.The light channel consists of two major parts:Core Cladding – protective cover of the core Fibre optic cable is lightweight, and unlike the other two data connections, it does not suffer from signal deterioration. Fibre optic cable, on the other hand, is more costly and more delicate due to the glass sections of the cable.Types of ConnectorsSC connector – used for cable TV ST connector – used for connecting cable to networking devices Different Types of Connector for Data CablesRegistered Jack 45 (RJ45) – found in UTP & STP cables Straight Tip (ST) – usually found on the end of a multi-mode cable Subscriber Connector (SC) – found on Multimode and Single Mode optical fibre cables Lucent Connector (LC) – found on high-density deployments where multiple fibres would be terminated in a confined space Multi-fibre Push On (MPO) – duplex connector that was created with the intention of being able to be connected several times without causing any possible connection troubles What is the Most Used Cable Type for Networking?Unshielded Twisted Cable is the most popular and, in most cases, the best solution for LANs. In some situations, however, the Shielded Twisted Pair may be preferable.For more information on our range of data and ethernet cables, get in touch with our expert team!