When you think about a home network, you automatically think of wireless connections like Wi-Fi. There is another way to move data from one device to another, which is more reliable and faster. Yes, we are talking about Ethernet network cables. You may have noticed that even Wi-Fi routers have Ethernet ports. You can enhance the ability of a router using the right cable for your network.
Ethernet network cabling is all about speed, reliability, and security. The satisfying click you get when you snap an RJ-45 connector into an Ethernet port. You know it’s ready to give you lightning-fast speed with a stable connection. So, what happens inside an Ethernet cat6 plenum cable, and how do they move data at such speed? In this article, we’ll try to explain it all.
What is the God’s Name is Ethernet Network Cable?
Ethernet cables belong to the networking family. These cables are an essential part of that family because these are the basic units that form the connection between the rest of the family members. Ethernet cables have come a long way since their inception. There have been many developments over the years to make me better and faster.
You can use these cables for your local area networks. You can also use them to connect your devices like computers, routers, switches, and gaming consoles. You’ll get a dedicated speed without any interruption. That is why big networks use these cables over wireless connections.
Types of Ethernet Cables
There are three types of Ethernet cables; coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, and fiber optics. Listed pair cables have become the go-to choice for the networking industry because of their speed and reliability. But first, let’s see the difference between all three types of Ethernet cables.
Coaxial cables are the oldest form of Ethernet cables. These cables have a single conductor in the middle of the cable. This single wire has a layer of insulation with yet another layer around them. You’ll get the maximum speed of 10Mbps with this type of cable. This cable was used for computer networking but not anymore since the invention of twisted pair cables.
Twisted pair cables have copper wires inside them. There are usually eight copper wires twisted together to create four pairs. Usually, these pairs have pure copper wiring. That is why some cable names are like cat6 solid copper. There are two versions of twisted pair cables; shielded and unshielded. The shielded one has an extra layer of insulation around the pairs to keep the crosstalk away. The unshielded cable does not have that layer around the pairs. But if you are getting a cable for your home network, you can get an unshielded one. It will be well within your budget.
Fiber optics do not have any conductor or wires inside them. Instead, these cables have a glass rod at the center. These cables do not transfer data in the form of currents but instead as a light signal. That is why many people switch to fiber optics because of their speed. Not only that, these cat6 bare copper cables are immune to crosstalk and EMI. But remember that these cables are expensive compared to the Ethernet cables.
Categories of Ethernet Cable
You must have heard names like cat6 plenum, cat6a riser, and cat6 plenum solid copper. The word “cat” here does not represent that adorable domestic animal, but it is short for the category. There are several categories when it comes to Ethernet cables. You’ll have cat3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. All of these categories are different from each other in one way or another.
Category 1 to 4 has become outdated, and no one uses those cables anymore. Category 5 is the oldest category that is still in use. You’ll get 100Mbps speed with this cable which is not bad considering it is the oldest category. You can also use this cable for 100Base-T and 1000Base-T applications.
Cat5e is an enhanced version of category 5 cables. You’ll get a 1Gbps data transfer rate with this cable. You can also use this cable for Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet applications.
TIA/EIA has approved cat6 cables. You can use these cables for commercial purposes as well, for example, in data centers. Both cat6 and cat6a have remarkable speed and frequency. You won’t have to worry about crosstalk and other interferences.
The Outer Ethernet Network Cable Jacket is also an Important Part.
Yes, we kid you not. You need to pay attention because you need to know about the cat6 1000ft cable’s outer jacket. The outer jacket plays an important role in deployment. There are three types of jackets you can get with Ethernet cables. The jacket type is part of the cable name. That’ll give you an idea about the importance of the outer layer.
The first one is the plenum. You may have heard about the plenum spaces. Plenum-rated cables are ideal for those spaces. You can install them without any fear. These places have air presence all the time, which makes them dangerous. Plenum cables would burn slowly in the event of a fire.
Riser cables are for riser spaces. These are vertical spaces of your home or your building. You can install a plenum cable here if you want to.
PVCs are outdoor cables. Their outer jacket is made of polyvinyl chloride, a high-end plastic material. This material can bear extreme heat and cold environments, which is why it is an excellent choice for outdoor installation technology.
