SF Cable Blog - Get Expert Tips & Advice on Cables & AccessoriesIn our blog, we educate customers on the various types of cables, components and accesscories for computer, laptops and mobiles. Find More Blog
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SF Cable Blog - Get Expert Tips & Advice on Cables & AccessoriesIn our blog, we educate customers on the various types of cables, components and accesscories for computer, laptops and mobiles. Find More Blog
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USB has a special design for the homogeneity of computer connection peripherals. USB has replaced the large variety of earlier interfaces of the likes of serial and parallel ports. Earlier, we used both these ports for supplying electricity and for data transfer.
Moreover, USB cables have also replaced the separate power cables for portable devices. The USB Cables are of the high demand accessories. The importance of USB has grown because the world has been passing through the smartphone boost.
An industry body called the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) creates and maintains the USB standards. In its original specification, USB had the definition of only two connector types: A and B. The demands from the society and the necessity of adding more functions have expanded the breadth of connectors in use for USB devices. However, most USB products still use the A and B connector interface.
File transfer, charging, portability, etc. are the few of the uses of USB. It is the universal connector, which has many variants in accordance with the functions. Even though the USB cables are universal, they serve different functions. Based on the purpose they serve; different variants of USB cables are available in the market:
We elaborate them one after another below:
Type-A
Most cables, which connect the computer devices such as keyboards and mice, have USB of type-A. Personal computers have a connector of type-A. Type-A connectors serve the dual purpose of charging and data transfer. Type-A USB Connector is flat and has a rectangular interface. It holds the connection by friction, which make it easier for the users to attach and detach. The usage of rectangular contacts instead of round pins makes the connection even easier.
Type-B
This has also been in use since the 1990’s along with the type-A. It is almost square connector. For connecting printers and other power devices, which connect with the computer USB type-B are in extensive use. The connector has a slight beveled corner on the top ends of the connector.
The type B USB cable connectors have a similar friction type holder, which also makes it easier for connection and disconnection. An “upstream” connector is only in use for connecting peripheral devices with USB type-B. In addition, it also requires an A-B cable.
Mini USB
USB Type-B connector had one drawback. Its size was a limitation. It measures up to half an inch from on each side. Thus, it made the usage of USB type-B unsuitable for compact personal electronic devices. The portable PDAs, digital cameras and cell phones were not easy to connect. This forced the manufacturers to develop the technology and come up with something more compact. The result was a USB Mini.
USB Mini has two variants. One comes with five pins and the other has four pins. The default USB mini has five pins. The connector is very small and this makes it easier for connecting portable devices. Its actual size is about two-thirds of the size of USB type-A connector. USB mini with four pins is an unofficial connector. You can generally find it, with a shape like that of USB type-B, on many digital cameras.
Micro USB-A
It is an official connector recognized by USB-IF. You can find this connector on new mobile devices, GPS units, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and digital cameras. Micro-USB A offers a connection, which is smaller in size, than a USB Mini. All the same, it still supports the high-speed transfer rate of 480 Mbps and On-The-Go features.
The identification of Micro USB A is very easy. You can identify it by its white colored receptacle and a compact five pin design.
Micro USB-B
It is also an official connector recognized by USB-IF. You can find this connector also on new mobile devices, GPS units, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and digital cameras. Micro-USB B offers a connection, which is smaller in size, than a USB Mini. All the same, it also still supports the high-speed transfer rate of 480 Mbps and On-The-Go features.
The identification of Micro USB B is very easy. You can identify it by its black colored receptacle and a compact five pin design.
Micro USB AB
It has a special design, exclusive for USB On-The-Go devices. It is a versatile connector, which can either accept Micro USB A or Micro USB B cable connection. To identify this interface is as easy as eating a cake. It has a grey colored receptacle and a compact five pin design. This connector cannot exist on a cable. It can only exist on various On-The-Go USB devices.
Type C
It is a reversible cable. It promises higher transfer rates and more power than all the previous versions of USB cables. It is in a very high demand for standard uses in laptop connections, some smart phones, and tablets. Apple embraces USB type-C for Thunderbolt 3. The symmetrical design allows the plugging of USB C cable into any USB C device using either of its ends. USB-C cable has the capability of carrying USB 3.1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and USB 1.1 signals.
USB-C can also have adoption with the previous versions of USB specifications. It connects with each of the legacy connectors like USB type-A, USB type-B, Micro USB, and more! It supports data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbit/second, which are twice the speed of earlier USBs. It also delivers more power of up to 20 volts, 5 amperes, and 100 watts for charging.
USB 3.0
It is also known as super speed connector. It is a very common connector, and we can find it on host controllers in computers. It is flat and has a rectangular interface. It offers faster transfer rates. It is backwards compatible with the earlier versions of USB. The standard USB type-A connector is similar in appearance with the USB 3.0.
However, to distinguish between them, it has a blue colored lining. USB 3.0 has another variant as well. This variant has extra pins for allowing higher transfer speeds. However, it is not compatible with earlier USB connectors.
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Network cables have been in the development since the Second World War. Specialized advance over the most recent 40 years has made Ethernet Cables a pervasive piece of our lives. It has turned into the most well-known medium for move of information in our general public. It has additionally adequately accomplished a perfect stage meeting the desires of its unique makers.
The Ethernet cables are generally the last thing, which gets attention while setting up a wired internet network. However, they play a major role in network speed and accuracy along with its stability depending on the type of the cable.
Looking at the history of Ethernet Cables, we can witness its evolution over the years. It has roughly grown by a factor of 10. It has grown from 10 megabytes (M) to 100M, and later from 1 gigabit (G) to 10G. Today, some data centers work at 40G and at times, it goes beyond 100G. However, in the past few years, the progress of Ethernet cables has been under diversification. The demand from the Internet has exceeded its original conception as having a simple use for LAN and WAN only.
The diffusion of ethernet into every single corner of the industry is the driving force behind this demand for diversification. Together with the Internet of Things (IoT), ethernet cables have been inseparable parts of our lives. Thus, for meeting these diversified uses and demands, Ethernet Cables underwent severe evolution. Not just the cable but also, the most significant and important area where changes are happening is in intelligent buildings. It mainly consists of copper cables.
The development of intelligent buildings, along with development of WLAN (Wi-Fi) and IoT, require few more things to create a network. It requires Ethernet Cables to be capable of two vital tasks. One being data transmission and the other being power supply. The power supply refers to Power over Ethernet (PoE). Here, the cable uses Ethernet as the medium for electrical power as well.
The aim of PoE is to gradually unify all low-energy consumption terminals. This becomes simpler when it uses a twisted pair copper cable to create a network. It solves a major problem of linking different terminals with the power outlets. It can connect various units such as:
So what are the different types of ethernet cables?
Generally, users prefer to choose among the Cat5, Cat5E, Cat6, and Cat6A Ethernet cable types. On the other hand, not many of them know that there are actually two main different types of network Ethernet cables available in the market. These are the flat Ethernet cable and round Ethernet cable. Let us compare the flat and round cables and know the main difference between these cable types.
Flat Cables
The Cicoil Corporation from USA made the flat Ethernet cables for the IBM computers after about ten years of World War 2. They are in use in the field of the military, robotics, aerospace, and others since then. These cables become a necessity where high-end computing is in demand. The flat cables provide efficiency in packaging and flexibility in usage. It also contains the ability to reduce electronic noise & vibration during operation.
Round Cables
The round Ethernet cable is a form of an insulated wire. It contains some layers of filler substance. All this together keeps the original circular shape. It helps in minimizing the heating in the Ethernet cables due to the friction. Such filler material also guards the cable from the outer environment. In the industrial and manufacturing fields, the usage of round electrical wires is most frequent.
Apart from flat and round ethernet cables, it can further have classification based on build categories. In the later part of the 1980s, the world saw the introduction of Category 3 cables. It could support voice services as well as 10BASE-T Ethernet. However, this eventually became inapt by the mid 1990’s. By this time, Category 5 had become widely popular. It was able to support faster network speeds up to 100Mbps.
Cat5E
The next phase of cable and connector development came in with the preface of Cat5e. It could support Gigabit network applications with a higher efficiency. Cat5E is in simpler terms, an enhanced version of Category 5. On the other hand, Cat5E standards brought with it some new and more stringent crosstalk specifications. It did allow Gigabit network applications and high data transfer scenario. It had a much more reliable functionality, enough for making Category 5 obsolete.
Cat6
Over the last decade, Category 6 (Cat6) cable and connectors have become a basic requirement. Cat6 Cables are extremely important for creating a network that supports Gigabit network applications. Moreover, a network which supports bandwidth of up to 250MHz.
Both Cat5E and Cat6 plug into the same keystone Jack of your Ethernet jacks, routers, and switches. However, they both have a distinct use, design, and application. Both cables have pair of cables with some twists of copper wires.
The Cat5E Keystone Jack supports speed limit up to 1000 MBPS while the Cat6 cables has a speed limit up to 10GBPS over 120-150 feet. The cost of the cables varies by length and differs from one manufacturer to another. The standard Cat5E costs generally around $0.20 per foot. Moreover, the standard Cat6 costs around 20% higher than the Cat5e.
After the introduction of Cat6, it was costly as compared to Cat5E. This made it almost impossible to use. However, since then, it has proved its worth and its cost also reduced. Today, Cat6 has become the minimum requirement for installing network connections.
Cat6A Cables
The “A” stands for augmented in Category 6A Cables. It supports data rates of 10 Gigabytes per second up to 100 meters. In addition, it also supports a bandwidth of up to 500 MHz. It has begun to growing popularity. The speed of CAT6E has a 10GBPS (Gigabit) limit up to 164 feet and thereafter its speed is same as that of CAT5E.
It is much lighter and slimmer than earlier cables. Its use has been aggressive in the healthcare and educational institutes. Cat6a also provides power over ethernet (PoE), which gives it an edge over others.
Diverse Cables have different applications. Some are being used for information transmission like fiber optic cable or copper cable. Some are being used for the supply of power. Power line is the gathering broadly utilized as the association between primary power supply and the gadget through a divider attachment or electrical line. When we require exchanging current (AC), we depend on these ropes.
The plug and socket that we have utilized (for) million times in our lives likewise have a history! Today we connect to the gadgets with various links securely and easily. Be that as it may, would it say it was constantly similar to that? There were times on the planet when individuals needed to connect to minor open finishes of wires. In some cases they additionally needed to depend on inconsistent fittings. Today, every nation on the planet utilizes its particular standard for attachments, attachments, and power strings.
However, have you chosen the right type of power cord for your device? This is a question you need to answer for ensuring a seamless electrical supply.
Overview
The power cord is a line cable or mains cable. It bears the burden of temporarily connecting a portable electronic appliance with the main electrical supply line. This is readily possible through a wall socket or an extension cord. it includes a pair of connecting couplers on either of its ends. These connector cords are detachable from the mains supply line and the electrical appliances.
A power cord set usually has a mold of connectors at each end. Thus, both the ends are detachable from the electrical supply and device. The power cord assembly consists of two major parts. One is the cable plug. It is a male connector. Its use is for connecting the AC outlet to provide electricity. The other is the receptacle on the other end. Receptacle part acts as the female connector, which attaches to the equipment.
The cord is the main section that contains the insulated wires with different lengths and thicknesses. It is a flexible and insulated conductor having one male and one female connector attached at each end. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standardizes all these electrical cords and connecting couplers.
Different Standards of Power Cords
According to different plug and receptacle requirements, these cords have different standards. In North America, NEMA power cords and IEC 60320 cords are the common types with the standards set by NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) or IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). Let us have a look at their differences.
NEMA Power Cords
Back in 1926, the establishment of National Electrical Manufacturing Association (NEMA) in North America took place. It developed NEMA 1 connector. Today NEMA power cords are in almost all the North American countries and in others, which have accepted the NEMA standards. The rest of the countries either create their own set of plug standards or rely on IEC standards. If these are in use with unmatched electrical supply, it can destroy the appliances.
A basic NEMA, that is, the NEMA type 1 connector has two pins, which are at least 5 inches apart from each other. If this also consists of a round pin below the two flat prongs, it becomes the NEMA type 5. A “grounded plug” uses a third pin for the grounding purposes.
Classification
The chief classifications of NEMA devices include straight blade and locking. Straight blade is evident in the household consumer goods consisting of electrical appliances. A locking NEMA power cord is in use for the major industrial purposes.
Straight blade has a design such that detaches it swiftly. The latter has a design such that it does not detach easily from the receptacle. A receptacle is a device, which mounts on an electrical appliance where the external energy cord attaches. The curve blade of the locking type of NEMA power cord allows the plug to entwine and lock into the receptacle. The letter L preceding the NEMA code identifies the locking conductor.
IEC Power Cord
The ends of IEC power cord are on the opposite side of the cord from the plug. To make it an international standard, the equipment manufacturers need to put one kind of receptacle on their equipment. In addition, it lets them manufacture various country-specific cords, when needed. The IEC 60320 C13/C14 connector type is evident on most personal computers and monitors. C19/C20 connector type is in use for devices like servers and uninterruptible power supply systems.
Watching Videos has been a piece of human development. The video seeing knowledge has been advancing since its innovation. Today, we appreciate recordings in top notch. Be that as it may, it was not generally like this. Prior to the top quality age, there were numerous video associations accessible for TV, VCR, DVD, HDTV, and Monitors. This worked rather on simple signs or both like the Digital Video Interface (DVI). The most regularly utilized screen link was the Video Graphics Array (VGA) link.
Let us see the progress of these cables in brief.
VGA – Video Graphics Array
IBM presented Video Graphics Array (VGA) in 1987. VGA was a standout amongst the most regularly utilized video link for connecting screens with the focal preparing unit of a PC framework. It was fit for supporting determination up to 640×480. What’s more, it had a scope of 16 Colors. The scope of hues was straightforwardly corresponding to the determination. That is, you could change the determination up to 320×240 for expanding the scope of hues.
This was a very useful function in use for gaming back in the last decades of the 20th century. Its name was Mode 13h. Analog video signals were in use for transmission in VGA. It faded away after the new technical developments of the digital age. It consists of an arrangement of 15 pins in three rows. Here, each row is in connection with the three different color channels for use in display. Namely, red, green, and blue are the colors.
Composite Video
The most popular home video component for audio and video devices that was evident in earlier times was Composite Video. It had three distinct set of cables, the trio of – the red, yellow, and white of the RCA connector. RCA refers to the metal connectors found at the end of these cables manufactured by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). It had a very important role in popularizing this connection type.
Its basis is analog television signal. Later it modulates onto the RF carrier. The transmission of video signals is over one cable with a single set of composite analog signals. The process further involves demodulation of the modulated composite analog signals. The final video display in the TV introduces several losses due to this. Moreover, the conversion itself produces noise.
Digital Video Interface
The Digital display working group launched DVI in 1999. The introduction of DVI in the market was after 10 years of IBM’s innovative VGA cable. Digital video interface is capable of transmitting both analog and digital video signals. It can convert the analog signals into digital and vice versa. This made it easier for accommodating both digital and analog monitors.
It consists of a single plug, carrying the legacy of VGA. It introduced the new digital only plug connector. It can handle bandwidths in excess of 160 MHz and can support HDTV and UGXA. The cable generally consists of 28 pins. Out of these, 24 are in use for the digital signal and the rest for analog signals. The DVI dual link supports resolution up to 2560 by 1600 pixels.
These are few technologies of the earlier times. This is the age of high definition. High definition and higher transmission speeds. Moreover, least amount of noise while connecting the video viewing screens with the central processing units of a computer. The new modern cables are the high definition multimedia interface.
Let us find out!
High Definition Multimedia Interface
HDMI Cables brought the dawn of the new digital. It is a technology, which came into the market within the first two years after jumping into this millennium. HDMI Cables use a technology, which combine digital video signals and multi channel audio signals into one suitable cable. This eliminates the maze that you assemble around your setup! The set up becomes less complex, it reduces the cost, and managing of the cables can be convenient.
Higher Transfer Rate
First, HDMI Cables are capable of sending uncompressed digital video and audio signals. It sends these signals at a very high transfer rate up to 5 gigabytes per second. In simpler terms, it has the capacity to send large amount of data across a long stretch of wire. Moreover, it can accomplish this task at a very high speed. As you would know, the high resolution and high definition videos need sampling at a very high rate. This makes the output sharper and clearer than the analog signal interfaces.
Enlarged Compatibility
With the earlier introduction of Digital Video Interface (DVI), you had to plug in the audio cable separately. The requirement of two cables was, as it could carry only the digital video signals. Its length too had a limit of around 16 feet. Above this limit, the quality underwent a compromise. You do not need to worry! HDMI Cable is also compatible with your pre installed DVI. This eliminates the need of immediately upgrading the existence cables and components.
Enhanced Quality
HDMI Cables are the first and foremost interface to carry high definition video of the likes of 720 & 1080 resolution. Along with this, they also support multi channeled surround sound signals. It can be as long as up to 40 feet while still maintaining the optimum quality.
Control Entire System
Another key feature of HDMI Cables is that it provides the ability to control the entire system of components and display by using a single remote control.
Newer Versions
Today, there are many versions of HDMI available in the market. They are compatible with the new generation TV, receivers, and other gear. The versions are HDMI 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0b, and 2.1. Depending on the resolution, you can choose the version. HDMI 2.1 is the latest update. It supports a maximum frame rate of 120Hz and supports dynamic metadata. You must control your excitement and know the purpose of choosing the higher versions.
In general, all the devices, which support HDMI, are of the HDMI 2.0 version. It supports a maximum resolution of 4k. It has a frame rate of 60Hz. However, it is not HDR or WCG compatible. Here you can choose HDMI 2.0a or 2.0b in accordance of your need. You must also understand that not all the computers and TV monitors resolution as high as that of the likes of 10k. Moreover, not all of those devices support a frame rate of 120Hz.
The basic knowledge of these cables is must before opting for an upgrade.
DisplayPorts make display cable selection easier. A standard DisplayPort cable has a design, which works with any DP-Source device. Devices such as a PC or laptop, and any DP-monitor connect swiftly with a DP. In brief, a standard DisplayPort cable, works with the very first DP-systems and displays, introduced around five years ago.
However, if you intend to connect your computer to TV, then HDMI is going to be your wisest choice. High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is the most popular in the general marketplace. This is because every new TV is HDMI capable.
Moreover, they also work with the new upgraded and future systems. They work with displays that support multi stream and display resolutions up to 4K (Ultra HD) at 60Hz. You can also use a standard DisplayPort cable between a PC and a multi-stream hub. You can also use it between daisy chainable multi stream monitors. You do not need to worry about getting a special cable for supporting certain DisplayPort capabilities.
DisplayPort Cable also offer screen-refresh rates up to 144 Hz at 4K. It also offers reduced screen tearing alternatives. You can add DisplayPort Cable in the factor of higher graphics. The ability to support audio makes DisplayPort Cable a favorite option among the people in the gaming community.
Some Exceptions
We should note that there is one rare exception to its use. There are some Reduced Bit Rate (RBR) cables on the market, which support only up to 1080p. However, its use has a restriction. Its use has a limit up to projector installation applications. Unless identification of the cable is RBR, it is a standard DisplayPort cable. It will support all displayport related configurations.
Cable Types
Despite what you may have come across, there is no such thing as a DisplayPort 1.1 cable and DisplayPort 1.2 cable. A typical DisplayPort cable, including the DP 1.1 cable, supports the entire DP configuration including the new capabilities enabled by DP 1.2.
On the other hand, it also consists of 4K and multi-stream capabilities. All standard DisplayPort cables support RBR, HBR (High Bit Rate), and HBR2 (High Bit Rate 2), which can support 4K at 60Hz, or up to four 1080p displays using multi-stream.
When you purchase your new computer, be sure to choose the right monitor for the job. DP 1.2 has been the standard for viewing high-resolution content on consumer monitors. It also can handle video resolutions as high as 3,840 x 2,160 at 60fps, and up to 17.28 Gbits/sec of bandwidth.
The new Display Port 1.3 and 1.4 versions both carry increased bandwidth capabilities. The resolution is also as high as 7,680 x 4,320 (8K). It also tends to be the choice for video editing. If anyone is looking for the ability to output to multiple displays by daisy chaining through a splitter, DisplayPort 1.3 or DisplayPort 1.4 is their choice.
Just be aware that if you have an Ultra HD or 4K television you will have to opt for the HDMI 2 version versus the HDMI 1.4 specification. The HDMI 2 version can handle the 10-bit and 12-bit color sampling associated with the higher image quality of these types of televisions, and can also handle a maximum of 18 Gbps per second in bandwidth. This allows for viewing resolutions as high 60fps at 4K. HDMI 1.4 can only handle up to 8-bit color sampling, and is limited to 24fps at 4k resolution.
Type of DP Connectors
One of the most important things you will have to consider in your cable purchase is the connector type. It attaches on each end of the cable. There are two types of DP connectors. The standard DP connector and the smaller mini DP connector are the two types of DP connectors. Standard DP connector is about the size of a USB connector. This type is commonly in use on DP enabled PC monitors.
The smaller mini DP connector is commonly in use for the DP output on notebook PCs including Apple products. The mini DP connector is now also in use for Thunderbolt. This has a wider use on Apple products. In addition, you can connect any DP monitor to a Thunderbolt Source, using a standard DP cable, while achieving DP quality.
A world without the use of internet is impossible to imagine! We live in an era of Internet of Things (IoT), where anything and everything has a link with the internet. For creation of this world, we are grateful to the networking cables out there in the market. One of the most vital equipment in use for the creation of a wired computer networks is an ethernet cable.
The use of Ethernet cable is diverse. Its need is for linking computers, routers, switches in a local area network. The function of the cable’s use has given birth to its diverse categories. Different types of network cables perform certain specific tasks in accord of particular situation. Therefore, over time, many types of ethernet cables design came up in the market. These types are more commonly the different categories of cables.
Let us check out its evolution in brief.
The Past
The demand for higher networking speeds became a necessity. This led to the scientific and technical development with time. The cable and components underwent a severe progressive change. The change was set in motion for faster transmission with faster speeds over longer distances. In order to define the network parameters clearly, the introduction of copper categories was inevitable. This was also necessary for facilitating appropriate connecting hardware.
Earlier Categories
In the later part of the 1980s, the world saw the introduction of Category 3 cables. It could support voice services as well as 10BASE-T Ethernet. However, this eventually became inapt by the mid 1990’s. By this time, Category 5 had become widely popular. It was able to support faster network speeds up to 100Mbps.
Cat5e
The next phase of cable and connector development came in with the preface of Cat5e. It could support Gigabit network applications with a higher efficiency. Cat5e is in simpler terms, an enhanced version of Category 5. On the other hand, Cat5e standards brought with it some new and more stringent crosstalk specifications. It did allow Gigabit network applications and high data transfer scenario. It had a much more reliable functionality, enough for making Category 5 obsolete.
Cat6
Over the last decade, Category 6 (Cat6) cable and connectors have become a basic requirement. Cat6 cables are extremely important for creating a network that supports Gigabit network applications. Moreover, a network which supports bandwidth of up to 250MHz.
Both Cat5e and Cat6 plug into the same keystone Jack of your Ethernet jacks, routers, and switches. However, they both have a distinct use, design, and application. Both cables have pair of cables with some twists of copper wires.
The Cat5e Keystone Jack supports speed limit up to 1000 MBPS while the Cat6 cables has a speed limit up to 10GBPS over 120-150 feet. The cost of the cables varies by length and differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. The standard Cat5e costs generally around $0.20 per foot. Moreover, the standard Cat6 costs around 20% higher than the Cat5e.
During the introduction of Cat6, it was much costlier than Cat5e. This made it almost impossible for use. However, since then it has proved its worth and its cost also reduced. Today, Cat6 has become the minimum requirement for installing network connections.
Cat6a Cables
In Category 6A Cables, the “a” stands for augmented. It supports data rates of 10 Gigabytes per second up to 100 meters. In addition, it also supports a bandwidth of up to 500MHz. It has begun to growing popularity. The speed of cat6e has a 10GBPS (Gigabit) limit up to 164 feet and thereafter its speed is same as that of Cat5e.
It is much lighter and slimmer than earlier cables. Its use has been aggressive in the healthcare and educational institutes. Cat6a also provides power over ethernet, which gives it an edge over others.
The video and picture viewing expertise has improved over time. Since the start, analog signals have been the principle technology. Through the years, it evolved to both analog & digital signals together. Now the technology has finally paved its way into the zone of digital signals.
Not just the technology but also the cables which carry these signals, evolved over the time. From the monitor of a computer to a Television set or, even a home theatre system; they all feature different sets of connecting ports. These ports allow the usage of different types of cables and support different set of signals. Driving force behind this change is the growth in scientific developments.
It was the question of survival for many companies. They had to provide the users something new for staying in the aggressive market. The companies finally could take a step forward after investing ample amount of hard work. So did the buyers. The 21st century is arguably the spark plug of the digital age. The video viewing technology is the driving forces behind this.
Before this high definition age, there were many video connections available for TV, VCR, DVD, and HDTV & Monitors. They all operated on analog signals. The most commonly used monitor cable was the Video Graphics Array (VGA) cable. Further developments popularized the Digital Video Interface (DVI). It operated on both analog and digital signals. They all had certain limitations and the latest High Definition Video Interface overcame them all.
Let us check out this new technology.
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
HDMI brought the dawn of this new digital age. It is a technology, which came into the market within the first two years of this millennium. HDMI Cables operate this technology, which combines digital video signals and multi channel audio signals into one convenient cable.
How does this differ from earlier cables?
Well for a start, this can eliminate the maze of wires that use to assemble around your earlier setup! It aids in convenient management of cables as it reduces the complexities and cost.
Quality With More Flexibility
With earlier technology of Digital Video Interface (DVI), you had to plug-in the audio cable separately. As it could carry, only the digital video signals, it created this limitation. If its length was more than 16 feet, it compromised with the quality. The usage of HDMI eliminates this hassle. It can be as long as up to 40 feet while still maintaining the optimum quality.
In addition, you do not need to worry if you are looking for an upgrade! HDMI cables are also compatible with the DVI. Hence, it eliminates the need to upgrade immediately your existing cables and components.
Higher Resolution And Remote Control
HDMI is the first and foremost interface to carry high definition video of the likes of 720 & 1080 resolution. It also brings in the multi channeled surround sound signals.
Another key feature of HDMI Cables is that it provides the ability to control the entire system of components and display unit using a single remote control.
Higher Transfer Rate
Above all, HDMI Cable is capable of sending uncompressed digital video and audio signals at a very high transfer rate up to 5 gigabytes per second. In simpler terms, it has the ability to send large amount of data across a long stretch of wire and that too at a very high speed.
As you would know that the high resolution and high definition videos sample at very high rate, the output is sharper and clearer than the analog signal interfaces and the conversion from analog to digital signals can have room.
We cannot separate electricity from our lives. Majority of our day-to-day activities are either contingent on machines or electricity. Electrical supply is inevitable for machines. An electrical appliance requires a means to stay connected with the grid. A metal conductor sheathed inside a poly vinyl chloride insulator known as a power cord is that means.
Power cord, power connector, mains cable or line cord – call it with any of those names but the purpose it serves would not change. These power cords allow us to build a system of temporary connection. Using them, we can connect our electrical appliance with the wall socket or an extension board. It has two ends. The receptacle attaches one of those ends and the socket installs the other end. This arrangement is flexible and absolute.
Some appliances are purely power driven. They always need the electrical supply for its operation. For connection with the mains electrical supply line, these appliances require power cords. Few appliances are battery backed. They majorly need the connection only to recharge their batteries. These cords are capable of carrying alternating current as well as direct current.
IEC Connector
IEC is a non-profit and a non-govt organization. It sets specific standards for connectors, which attach the power cord with the electrical appliances. These connecting couplers are available in different combinations of earthing, for temperatures and current needs.
Using these connecting couplers, merchants can produce appliances for multiple markets. Now, power supply standards differ from one country to the other. Therefore, the merchants just need to change just the power cord. This saves additional cost and time. Moreover, they can supply these power cords across the world.
IEC 60320
IEC 60320 is a pre set standard safety regulation for general home electrical appliances. As per the regulation, voltage needs to be “Not more than 250 volts” (AC). In addition, the current needs to be “Not more than 16A.” In 1970, IEC’s first edition was in publishing. Classifying based on standards divided IEC 60320 into several parts. These standards define the electrical, thermodynamic, and mechanical requirements along with the safety goals of power cords.
The IEC standards are acceptable across the world. However, some North American Rating agencies rate the products higher than IEC. This includes Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the UL Safety Organization of the US.
For example, IEC specifies C13 Power Cord with the rating of 10A current. But due to the tolerance threshold of 5% of 120 V in US & Canada, UL specifies it up to 15A.
Applications
Most of the computer desktops and some instrument amplifiers, printers, monitor and other portable devices use the c13 power cord, which has a standard specified under IEC 60320. This is a power cord and one of its ends attaches a country specific standard power plug. A coupler attaches its other end and an IEC cord or a computer power cord is its name. Computer Cord, as its major use is in computer applications.
Household sewing machines use a specific type of standard under IEC 60320-2-1. These are not interchangeable with other power cords from IEC 320.
The IEC 60320-1 includes other general household equipment power cords. All the equipment enlisted under this standard, operate under the normal 250 Volts, and 16A.
Welcome to the world of customizations! It’s a world where everything from cars, to mobile phones and apparels is customizable. So why not add more functionalities to your computer system by attaching some accessories? These accessories are like an icing on the cake and glorify your computer system. Here is the set of inevitable that adorn your computers.
Laptop Cooling Pad
It would be extremely convenient for you to work on your bed. Nevertheless, would you be able to work flawlessly if you could not breathe? Yes, that is exactly what happens with your laptop when it has no vent for cooler air to keep it aloof from overheating. Sometimes, it happens simply due to stubborn dust particles clogging around the cooling fan.
Keyboard Cover
This cover protects your system from dust, dirt, liquid and if you are in a habit of having lunch/dinner around your laptop. Keyboard covers are thin and flexible, and they protect your keys from malfunctioning. Keyboard cover is an accessory, which is the first step towards preventive maintenance of your laptop.
Bluetooth Mouse
If you wish to save your time while you work on your laptop, Bluetooth mouse is a necessary accessory for you. It saves lot of time and even surfing on the internet becomes easier with a mouse. If you are a designer and you work on a laptop, then for smoother creations, it is a gem you cannot afford not possessing.
Universal Power Adapters
These are aftermarket purchases and are somewhat costlier than the replacement of AC power plug adapter or the DC Power adapter. The Universal Power Adapters can exploit all the types of available charging conditions. This is the sole purpose of its creation.
FireWire
They are not as common as the USB but serve a similar function. When connecting a printer or a scanner with your system, they are extremely advantageous. Two versions of FireWire are available in the market, one is 1394a having a transfer rate of 400 mbps and the 1394b having a transfer rate of 800 mbps.
Fiber Optics Cable
These computer cables are the most reliable and fastest data transfer cables on the planet. Optical Fiber’s usage is for connecting and transferring data across continents. They are fast which can carry large capacity; the signals have higher strength and require least maintenance.
Ethernet Cables and Keystone Jacks
For connecting your routers and modems with your computer for setting up local area network (LAN), you need an Ethernet cable. Keystone Jacks are the ports, which provide a plug-in to the Ethernet cables. Keystone Jacks are the most important units in networking.
Their strategic design enables them to affix into keystone plates, keystone boxes, and patch panels. Cat5E and Cat6 are the cables, which plug into the same keystone Jack of your Ethernet jack, routers and switches but have a distinct use, design, and application.
Wireless Printers
Printers and scanners are the accessories that enable you to print and scan documents. Wireless connectivity allows you to place your printer wherever you wish to and gives you much more flexibility. It lets you print from mobile devices too!
Integrated Drive Electronics Cable
IDE or integrated drive electronics connects the storage devices with the motherboard. It has more than two plugs and it appears like a ribbon.
SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)
SATA evolved from the IDE legacy also serves the same purpose. SATA cable has a much higher rate of data transfer than IDE but the motherboard needs to be compatible with SATA.
For creating a network and for bringing a device into a network, we must connect a portable device with the central processing unit (CPU). The USB cables, optical fibers and other Networking cables facilitate this. However, these network cables deem worthless if a port does not mount on the unit. A cable cannot connect a port less device with the central unit or the port less unit with the device! So, what enables our portable devices like keyboard, pointer, printer, digital camera connect with the CPU using Ethernet cables, USB Cables or optical fibers? The answer is a Keystone Jack! What is a Keystone Jack?
A Keystone Jack is the magic port, which aids this functionality. Every connecting device has a female unit installed on them. Networking cables have the attachment of male chords on their ends, which have the name “keystone plugs.” They mate and the portable devices connect where we want it to get connect. Hence, Keystone Jacks are one of the most important units in networking. They have a design to get a fix into keystone plates, keystone boxes, and patch panels. Nature of Keystone Jacks They have a standard design, they are flexible, and they are easily mountable, even on the wall! Multiple keystone jacks can have installation on a single plate having multiple ports. They are available in multiple variants and you can choose in accordance of your need. Keystone jacks have an extensive use in data communications. The manufacturing of these tools is in a standard size for their usability in patch panels, surface mount boxes, and keystone wall plates. This means we get a universal fit across all brands. There are some variations, however, as high-density keystone jacks have designs to maximize space when working in a congested area. These jacks permit fitting of more individual jacks into a single patch panel and have a design for its use in high-density patch panels. Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a Dilemma Cat5e and Cat6 cables plug into the same keystone Jack of your Ethernet jacks, routers, and switches. However, have a distinct use, design, and application. Both these cables come as twisted pair cables consisting of copper wires. Speed The Cat5e Keystone Jack supports speed limit up to 1000MBPS and the Cat6 cables has a speed limit up to 10GBPS over 120-150 feet. The speed of cat6e has a 10GBPS (Gigabit) is limit up to 164 feet and thereafter its speed is same as that of Cat5e. Cost The cost of the cables varies by length and differs from manufacturer to manufacture. The standard Cat5e costs generally around $0.20 per foot. In addition, the standard Cat6 costs around 20% higher than the Cat5e. Frequency The Cat5e frequency range is up to 100MHz and in contrast, that of Cat6 is up to 250MHz. Hence, it has a higher sound to noise ratio and is more rigid as compared to Cat5e. The tighter twist of the Cat6 allows it conduct two-way communication and it is faster than that of Cat5e. You cannot identify the cables based on the colors and the variant of the cable has its descriptions print on the cable. Even though you can identify Cat6 without the print as it thicker than Cat5e as, it consists of a thicker copper wire. Keystone jacks Cat5e and Cat6 both are sound options and it totally depends upon the user to choose the jack. When the servers have a place on the clouds, Cat5e is more economical as the internal connectivity will not matter but only the internet connectivity will be efficient enough. Cat6 sure does provide you with better performance and it is much efficient if a better investment option if you do not have cables above 120-150 feet. |
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