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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A transmission medium is required to carry every type of information that travels from source to destination. Cables and connectors are used for transmitting data along a channel. A structured cabling system is the foundation of every business network. Cabling provides connectivity between servers, computers, and other network devices. Hence cables and connectors are part and parcel of each other. Transmission media used can be wired or wireless. In wired transmission, cables are used for transferring signals whereas in wireless transmission, electromagnetic waves are used to transmit data from one device to another. There are three types of cables used in wired transmission namely twisted pair cables, coaxial cables and fiber optic cables.
Different types of cables and connectors are used for different environments. The inside plant fiber cable systems are used for establishing various connections within a building. Fiber ribbon cables are frequently used for inside plant connections. Outside plant fiber optic systems are used in case of outside or underground cabling. Cables are also used in security cameras and almost every electronic device. CCTV cables are best for security camera in conjunction with BNC connectors. Connectors can be of crimp type or compression type or modular connectors suiting the requirements. Find out more about cables and connectors by browsing through the internet. Source : https://www.sfcable.com/blog/cable-and-connectors-used-for-transmission-of-data
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You might not have a great chemistry with electronics. But in your day to day lives, you are sure to have come across long wires that power local area networks. These are known as Ethernet Cables. When it comes to LAN technologies, Ethernet technology stands out to be the fastest and the most popular one. Through this blog, we will acquaint you with the ins and outs of Ethernet technology and how it came into being.
History and Evolution of Ethernet Technology Over the years, Ethernet technology has evolved a lot. New versions of these Cables have come up. And customers have bought several off the shelf cables for different purposes. Now, let us peek into the history of this technology. In the year 1972, two engineers, namely D.R. Boggs and Bob Metcalfe developed Ethernet. Based on their work, industry standards were set under the IEEE 802.3 set of specifications. The specifications provide manufacturers with technical details and low-level data transmission protocols. It enables them to build electronic products like cords and network cables. Sneak Peek into the Working of Ethernet Technology The traditional technology supported data transfers at 10MBPS/second. As this speed was not enough for the increasing performance needs, industry experts created specifications for fast Gigabit Ethernet. It surpasses the performance of traditional Ethernet up to 100 Mbps. And of Gigabit Ethernet up to 1000 Megabits per second. You can also find network cables with 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10,000 Mbps). Several organizations and businesses use it for their networks. Ethernet Cables, Their Types, and Purpose Ethernet cables are majorly available in two forms. One, solid and two, stranded. Let us understand both along with their purposes. 1. Solid Ethernet cables: These cables provide users with enhanced performance and better protection against electrical interference. You can use them for wiring office walls, business networks and other fixed locations. 2. Stranded Ethernet cables: These cables are perfect for home networking setups. They are resistant to breaks and physical cracks. Now, let us understand about their types: Category 5, 6 and 7 are the most popular ethernet cables. Out of these, CAT5E and CAT6 cables support Gigabit Ethernet. If you want to connect the ethernet cord to network devices, you can plug it into the ethernet port. Another popular cable type is - crossover cable. And what makes them different than traditional cables? Well, the traditional cables connect one computer to a switch/router. A crossover cable, on the other hand, connects Whereas, the crossover cables connect two computers with each other. Drawbacks of Ethernet Cables 1. Maximum Distance Capacity Just like electric power cords, these cables have a maximum distance capacity. This means, there is an upper limit to their endurance before there is a signal loss. Also, there is an impact on transmission if there is an interference around the cable. 2. Attenuation limit Before attenuation, CAT5 cable can go up to 324 feet. CAT6, on the other hand; can go up to 700 feet. Despite of being longer, these cables might have signal loss if other electrical appliances surround it. 3. CAT6A – When Strength Becomes Weakness CAT6a cables are robust and work great when it comes to limiting interference. But their robustness and size often become a limitation when it comes to moving around. They are more expensive as compared to CAT5 and its subtypes. Conclusion We hope that the above given knowledge about Ethernet Cables and its working will assist you with the further purchase. Make sure you make the right choice!
Sharing files through Local Area Network (LAN) cables is by far, one of the oldest ways of transferring data. Over the years, with the forward propulsion of technology, this practice has seen many changes. Today we have other options. We can create a network even without the usage of any cable.
What if you lack access to a network and need to transfer data? Or wish to establish a connection between two computers? You can simply connect the computers using a Crossover Ethernet Cord. Your productivity increases when you create such a network for sharing data. It does not matter if you create this network junction for personal pleasure or for some official work. There is no need even for a router for establishing this. You can even cut down costs of pen drives or CD’s. This is more of a hassle than being costly. Within half an hour you can set up a network between two computers using a Crossover Ethernet cord. The procedure is simple. Let us look at how to connect two computers using LAN cables: Step 1 Plug one of the ends of a LAN cable into a computer's Ethernet port. Thereafter, plug its other end into the second computer's Ethernet port. Step 2 Reboot both of your computers. Also, make sure both the devices are members of the same workgroup. You can check this by right-clicking on the "My Computer" tab. Then, you can find the "Workgroup" line on the main page of the screen. The default item is "Workgroup." You should be good to go ahead when both the computers are members of the same workgroup. Step 3 Go to the start menu. Here, you need to enable file sharing. You will now need to go to the "Control Panel," and further to the "Network and Sharing Center." Now, click on "Change advanced sharing settings." You can also do this by scrolling down until you find the option for "File sharing." Here you will find the option to enable file and printer sharing. Turn it ON, on both the computers. Step 4 Now you will need to reboot both the devices one more time. On lighting up, the computers should now be able to share files using the "Network" tab from the "Start" menu. Here you can find the both the computers in connection. Now you can easily exchange files and folders at will. Now let us look at the Advantages of Wired Network over Wireless networks: Use Lesser Power Physical cables are necessary for creating a wired network. This does not help the cause of mobility. But, this sure costs lesser than the unwired (WIFI) connection. As it does not need power cables and adapters, it does not drain the batteries of laptops and other mobile devices. More Reliable Networks based on Ethernet Cables are much more reliable than wireless networks. In fact, the foundation of any network (wired or wireless), lies on them. The only problem one faces while using them is that sometimes the connection becomes loose. But, you can overcome this challenge by using zip-ties. It keeps the cable tangle free and protects against damage and performance degradation. Superior Performance There is no doubt that wireless network technology has shown drastic improvement over the years. But, the Ethernet based networks is still superior in terms of performance. Especially in a home-based environment. It has a higher transfer speed. Its maximum theoretical transfer speed is as high as 100MBPS. Even though this is not easy to achieve (rarely achieved), it is still better than the 54MBPS maximum speed of wireless network. Security Security of a home based wired network predominantly depends upon the firewall. Most broadband routers already include a firewall. In fact, you can also install software firewalls on individual machines. All the data in a wired network travel safely through the network cable. This is safer than the transfer of data through the air in case of wireless network. Conclusion One of the oldest means of transferring data in the technical world, after the introduction of computers is the data transfer through network cables. Today we have the option of choosing either wired network or wireless network. But wired connection has some advantages over wireless connection. You can create a wired connection when you lack access to a network and need to transfer data. Using LAN cables you can establish such a connection. Creating this type of a network takes just a few minutes. It is safer, economical and more efficient.
Have you ever seen an industrial system go kaput? I am sure you must have. What follows is network flaws, chaos, and work delay! Well, just so that you know, nearly 70% of network faults happen due to mediocre network components. In today’s age, if you want to become a successful industrial organization, you need a better data access, reporting systems and enhanced performance. Industrial Ethernet cables help you ensure that your connections work smoothly and network issues remain at bay.
By using the good quality ethernet cables, you will be able to save on a lot of finances, time, and efforts in running your systems smoothly. The pointers given below will help you a lot in selecting the right ethernet cable for your industrial application. Here we go: Consider the environmental factors If your infrastructure has control rooms with limited vibrations, you can use solid conductor having high bandwidth capacity. In case of areas with moderate vibrations, it is quite likely that the cables will get an exposure to external materials like rough handling, UV radiation, oil, chemicals, and electronic noises. So, you need to choose accordingly. If the temperature and vibrations are very high, you would need an extremely flexible ethernet cable that can cope with torsion and trailing. Decide whether to go for Shielded or Unshielded As the name suggests, shielded ethernet cords come with a protective outer cover and unshielded ones come without them. If your factory has high decibel noise environment, you would need shielded cables. It protects the integrity of signal that the machines emit and keep the unnecessary interferences out. In case you want better durability of your machines and protect it from all the noise, try using the braid or foil combination. Choose Out of Twisted or Bonded-Pair Conductors Ethernet cables have two aspects to their characteristics. One, solid vs stranded conductors. And two, twisted versus bonded pair construction. The bonded pair cables make use of a manufacturing technique which attaches the insulation of ethernet cable pairs along their longitudinal axes. This offers resistance against the rigors of installation. By doing so, it also stops gaps from forming between the conductor pairs. Select Cable based on Your Application If you do not want long lasting and disastrous losses, you must know how to match your application requirement with a suitable ethernet cable. Conduct ample amount of R&D or get in touch with a company that sells industrial ethernet cables online. As soon as you have a clarity on these things from the experts, you can go ahead with installing. You need to make sure that you are around when your workers install the cable. Only by doing so, you will be able to gain better performance and reliability. Conclusion The above steps will ensure that you end up buying a superior quality ethernet cord for your industrial applications. Do you currently use any ethernet cables? What steps do you follow for selecting one? Feel free to share with us.
Wi-Fi is like love. Always in the air and ready to connect you with the fascinating digital world. But ever wondered what keeps it in the air? Well, just like any relationship has a foundation of understanding, a wireless network has a fiber cabling underneath that helps people to connect with the internet anytime they want to. The other most popularly used cable type is Ethernet cables. They are used everywhere right from IP camera technologies to LED lighting. These cables are quite cheaper as compared to fiber cables; but when one wants to have a huge and powerful network cable, fiber cables become necessary.
Both the cables have their advantages and disadvantages, specialties, and limitations. Through this blog, we will differentiate between the two and try to understand both in details: History of Fiber & Ethernet Cables The fiber optic technology was first used in 1969 when NASA sent it to the moon for use in television cameras. And a company named Xerox developed Ethernet in 1970. By the year 1980, it became popular and developed of a commercial value amongst its users. As people have embraced both the cable solutions for decades, they hold an equal importance. Ethernet Cables – The Evolution When introduced, Ethernet was extremely slow. It had the speed of around 10Mbps over 100 meters. Thereafter, when it formed an alliance with 802 IEE and became an industry standard, the speeds reached up to 10MBPS. Currently, as you all know it has the speed of 10 Gigabit. Some experts criticize the speed ratings of Ethernet for falling short of the real-world utility. Also, there isn’t a specific formula that you can apply for calculating the performance of Ethernet cables. It depends on various factors like collisions and line interferences which need applications for resending messages. People widely use Ethernet cables, Long ethernet cable and the regular ethernet cables due to their cost-effective rates. So, the market for ethernet cables is always on the boom and the electrical engineers keep conducting R&D and come up with new cables at regular intervals. CAT5E, CAT6, CAT6A and CAT7 are the most commonly used ethernet cables. Fiber Optic Cables – The Evolution There are two major categories of Fiber Optic Technology. One, single and two, multi. Single mode cables make use of laser light for sending signals to remote places. They can reach the distance 50 times more than multimode. However, they are more expensive as compared to the latter. Diodes, on the other hand, transmit signals over multimode cables. These cables usually cover short distance with up to 10 Gigabits/s over the distance of 600 m or 2000 feet. The best and the most effective single fiber links have the potential to reach the capacity of 100gbs. So, when it comes to transmitting data over long distances, Fiber cables are an ultimate choice. The only concern here is its costs. And hence, manufacturers must offer an economical way to use them. Now that we have learnt about both the cables and their evolution, let us understand some basic differences between them. Understanding the Basic Difference When it comes to generating electricity over long distances, there is nothing like fiber cables. But, there are also certain drawbacks to it. Fiber cables do have brittle tendencies and tend to break. Also, they are more expensive as compared to Ethernet cables. Ethernet cables, on the other hand are quite swift with their working but they cannot go long distance. In case they are unshielded, they can attract a lot of interference. So, which one do you choose out of the two? Well, it totally depends on your requirements. If you want to connect an ISP to a street cabinet, you would need fiber cables. This is because they consist of glass and it is possible to transmit a huge amount of data with fiber cabling. However, if you are installing a connection proximate to your residence, you can consider choosing ethernet cord. Electromagnetic Interferences Ever heard “Buzzzzzz” “Hummmmm” and “Crackle” sounds when you connect with your devices? Those are nothing but electromagnetic interferences. Now let us see how these interferences bother both the cables. CAT5 Ethernet cables, when unshielded, create interference in several devices including, microwaves, Bluetooth, RF and transformers. The best way to get over such interference issues is to choose shielded ethernet cables of higher grades including CAT5E, 6 and 7. To obtain better results, you can also pair shielded cables and connectors. Fortunately, electrical interference has not been much of a problem with fiber optic cables. However, there are times when light pulses interfere with each other and are not monochromatic. This is when interference seeps in. To help the cables get over such issues, manufacturers keep improving the quality of cables with every new release. The Speed Difference You would say, nothing works as fast as my Wi-Fi connection does. So, it must be fiber. Well, you are kind of right. But, terabytes per second aren’t a major issue when you want to send a signal from living room to the kitchen anyway. Conclusion You can educate your customers about the specifications and features of both the cables. It is ultimately their decision as to what to buy. As the online retailers of these cables, we understand what clients want and make suggestions accordingly. If you have any questions about these products, feel free to ask us on [email protected]
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.
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 most important equipment used on wired computer networks is an ethernet cable. The use of Ethernet cable is for connecting computers, routers, switches in a local area network. It looks like a phone cable but has more wires and is larger. These cables are physically attached they need to have certain peculiarities. The cables’ physical characteristics alter or modify in accordance of the requirements.
The purpose of the cable’s usability gave birth to different categories. Different type of network LAN cables design creation is to ensure its performance of certain tasks in a particular situation. Therefore, which type of ethernet cable suits the best – is a common headache for us. Why do these cables contain twisted pair of wires? Sometimes these wires have a cover, sometimes they do not. Why so?
The cable designs vary in length, range, intensity, and ability in transmitting network signals. The available standard ethernet cables in the market are the category 5 (CAT5), enhanced category 5 (CAT5E), category 6 (CAT6). The last standard cable is the augmented category 6 (CAT6A).
Let us examine the differences closely.
Specifications
The higher you go in the category, higher is the speed and frequency. The stringent testing elements and added isolation between the wires makes this possible. CAT5 is a standard ethernet cable with the maximum transmission speed up to 100MB/second and a frequency of 100MHz. For Cat5E, the maximum speed rises up to 1GB/second.
The frequency evolves with the Cat6 up to 250MHz along with the maximum speed of 10GB/second. For achieving this speed, Cat6 compromises with its length. All three cables have the maximum length of 100 metres, but for achieving 10GB/second, the length reduces to 55 meters.
CAT6A is the fastest amongst these cables in terms of speeds and frequency. Its length too, unlike the CAT6 remains 100 meters even when it is transmitting 10GB/second. It has a limitation though. The higher frequency up to 500MHz eliminated the alien crosstalk, which could enhance the longer ranges up to 10GB/second.
Twists And Turns Mystery
Alexander Graham Bell while discovering the telephone invented the twists and turns on the cable. For increasing the range and reducing the interference, the cable has twists at regular intervals. This principle of a twisted pair of wires became the basis for our ethernet cord.
There is no predefined standard for the twists, but within a cable, there are specific numbers of turn at regular intervals. A lan cable contains more than one set of wires and these sites have twist lengths based on prime numbers. This is to avoid any twists to align.
Shielded Wires
The primary goal of all the internet cable wire manufacturers is to reduce the external or internal interference while transmission. For achieving this, the wires underneath the sheath have shields. It has a very higher efficiency and cost. Nevertheless, your computer’s connection with your wall keystone Jack does not need such high efficiency. Therefore, that can be without shields.
The shield protects from internal cross-talk and interference. Lesser the interference, higher the efficiency!
It is a well-known fact that high-speed Ethernet cable gives faster and reliable connection compared to a Wi-Fi network. An extensively designed gaming Ethernet cable helps to enjoy continuous gaming experience without any lagging or connection interference.
Selecting a quality cable for Ethernet connection is a confusing job as all wires are not the same. Also, network cables vary in price, speed, size, and security.
If you are searching for an Ethernet cable for Xbox or a Playstation, then decision should be taken wisely. This article discusses about the best Ethernet cable for gaming and qualities to look for in a cable.
General measures like knowing type of network connection, what speed an ISP is providing you, length of cord needed, and whether to opt for a multi-color option or not can help to choose the best suitable option.
Characteristics Of Ethernet Cable To Look For Before Buying:Ethernet Cable Category
Ethernet cables are standardized into multiple categories. Each category basically depicts the cable capabilities. Generally, Cat5 and Cat5E network cables are used in household applications because of their affordable price and they work perfectly for connections up to 100mbps.
Moreover, Cat-6 and Cat-6a cables are more appropriate for professional and commercial installations as they offer up to 10gbps. Cat-7 and Cat-7a are the latest Ethernet cables offering even higher speeds.
Length
Length of Ethernet cable directly affects the signal quality. As the length increases, signal quality lowers, which results into slow transfer rates and reduced network performance. It is better to select the shortest length of cable possible to connect devices, as they come with readily attached connectors.
It is always advisable to measure the distance between the gaming console and router. While selecting Ethernet cable, mostly recommended length limit for a cable is 100 meters.
Compatibility With Various Equipments
One essential consideration for gamers is that many Ethernet cables are manufactured by original equipment provider. They are normally marked with the OEM brand, and so majority of gamers opt to buy same cables as they are guaranteed to work with all game consoles. Inquire which jacks are supported by game console so the cable can be chosen accordingly.
Wireless Access Point And Its Capacity
Along with cable, choosing an appropriate access point holds equal importance. Ensure that a thorough and careful research is carried out before purchasing a best wireless access point so that it meets the minimum requirements. Capacity is always a vital consideration when choosing the standard wireless access point.
Can I Use CAT Cables?
Yes! When you have heavy gaming needs, there’s nothing like CAT Cables. And you can choose between Cat5E and CAT6 cables. CAT6 cables work on 550MHz whereas Cat5E is rated at 350MHz.
Remember that although both these cables can be used in place of each other, CAT6 works on the latest technology and is more advanced as compared to Cat 5E. Also, if you are into downloading heavy game files and playing games on the internet, CAT6 is the right choice.
Things To Remember While Upgrading To CAT6 Ethernet
Avid gamers do not like interruptions and issues that can actually end their game. While upgrading, if the category of all the cables in your network is not same, it can slow the systems and affect your productivity. So if you decide to upgrade to CAT6, make sure all the cables in the network are of the CAT6 category.
Go through the manual if you are using a DSL modem. Reason? Well, it is important to connect a device to it through an Ethernet Crossover Cable. Most of the Ethernet and Patch Cables have RJ45 gold plated male jacks. Which means, you can attach them to any kind of Ethernet Cable. There is a variety of colours available in these cables so that you can easily recognize between crossover and patch cables.
The businesses that need to take stringent security measures make use of different colours so that they can know the type of information being sent through these networks. But as you use these for gaming, you do not need to be extra cautious.
So gamers, we hope we’ve resolved your Ethernet Cable Dilemma. Happy Gaming!
In the year 2002, renowned electronic manufacturers like Sony, Philips, Toshiba and Hitachi introduced High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). For those who are unaware, it is an all-digital interface that carries video and audio signals and is backward compatible with video digital interface DVI. HDMI has always kept on evolving with various standards and protocols. This year, a new cable connection standard known as HDMI 2.1 introduced. High Bandwidth cables of 48G belong to this category.
New standards in HDMI, always bring up a common concern. “If I buy a new TV or other device with this standard, do I have to upgrade your current HDMI cables?” The answer to this question is mostly “No”. And at least with HDMI 2.1, you don’t have to worry about upgrading your cables at least for the next couple of years.
However, there are certain scenarios wherein you might have to consider buying 48G cables. Here’s an insight into these possibilities:
Running 4K Resolutions:
When it comes to running 4k resolutions, new HDMI cables are a major need. Computers have the potential to send maximum resolution and frame rate in the current HDMI spec. Also, they are an exclusive resource that can handle any resolutions in the upcoming HDMI 2.1 spec.
If your computer is robust and you want to connect it with a UHD TV, it is advisable to go for a Premium Certified cable as non-certified cables might not work. You can choose to buy 48G cables once they come out but they would be more useful for a television that can handle higher 4k frame rates.
For A TV That Works, But Doesn’t Work
While watching TV, you might have experienced sudden flashes, blinks or image distortions. This generally happens when your HDMI cable is old and overused (due to over plugging and unplugging). The cheapest solution to this problem would be replacing it with another HDMI cable. But if you have a new TV that doesn’t show 4k resolution, you can spend a little more and buy a premium certified HDMI cable. Thereafter, such problems might stop occurring.
For A New 4K Streamer, A Console (With HDR) Or UHD BD Player
UHD BD players, superior quality media streamers and consoles like PS4 Pro and Xbox One S can give an output of 4K HDR. Check the length of your HDMI Cables when you connect them with the above mentioned devices.
If the cables are a few feet long, it shouldn’t be a problem. But if they are longer than that, they might not be able to handle 4K, HDR data. In case your TV is not able to display HDR even if its source and content is HDR, there might be something wrong with your HDMI cables.
The high-speed HDMI cables are specially created to take care of 4k resolutions. But that in no way means that they can also handle higher data versions like or higher frame rates. It is difficult to send high resolutions to remote place. Which means if you have a 15ft/3m cable which was compatible with all your 1080p gear, there is a possibility that it will not work with 4K HDR.
We hope, this brings much clarity on upgrading HDMI cables. For more information, stay connected to us!
Even though wireless networks are on the rise, there are still so many reasons to go for a wired connection. A wireless connection is yet to reach the level of security wired connections offers. And then, when it comes to your Wi-Fi, speed matters the most after security.
The way out to get the best of both is a wired connection. Wireless appears easy. Convenient! At times, wired connection could make the appearance of your setup look bismal. However, if used some of the best practices, you can enjoy uninterrupted, high speed, and secure internet browsing. We have an easy-to-follow guide on how you can appropriately wire your Ethernet connection at home.
Plan In Advance
You need to consider some important things before starting your setup. Make a list of how many connections you would need within the house. Next is to list how many post you require at each of these locations. You can keep about four for each location for more flexibility.
Next, plan the path to wire the cables. It can follow the route of your Cable TV. You can also consider basements, attics, or other areas of your home. Whatever you plan, ensure not to exceed the limit of a 100-meter cabling, to facilitate faster connections.
Sort Out Materials Required
Once your plan is ready, you can now draw an estimate of the material required. Choose the Ethernet cable you wish to use for the job. Cat 5E cables are the most common while Cat 6a cables are the fastest and most reliable ones. Cat 6 Cables are somewhat midway. Make a list of the required wall plates and tools as well.
You must remember that you can save a lot here. You can buy your cables and other materials online from a reliable store. A few of them even offer lifetime support for their products. Do not forget that you must buy products manufactured by ISO 9001-2000 manufacturers.
Wire The Cables
Clear the path through which the cables need to pass. Drill the required holes keeping in mind your walls/ceilings can handle the load of the space. For walls made up of different materials, you will need to consider a guide on how to drill through them without damaging the walls.
It’s always safe to stay away from your electrical wiring. And in cases where is need to cross each other, they should be at a 90-degree angle. If you are limited with space, consider at least a gap of 6 inches from the AC wiring.
Lastly, but very importantly, always work with your goggles on while working with drills. A lot of dust and other small particles can easily infect your eyes otherwise.
Mount Wall Plates
Now, mount the wall plates in the planned locations. You might require drawing a sketch with a pencil (on the wall) to ensure accuracy. Cut holes in the wall and put the single gag box. Screw the clamps and you are done. Repeat it for every other location.
Be creative, but be safe. And if you are a total amateur, we would suggest you take help of a professional rather than bringing the walls of your building down!
DIY Network Cables
You must have come across the word Bulk Network Cables. They are a hardware deployed to connect one network device to another or to connect computers with other devices. These cables bare wire and require plugs at both ends to fit the devices to be connected. You can also use them to connect various monitors and monitors to external input or output devices.
With the advent of tutorials and written knowledge all over the internet, people are increasingly adopting DIY for making bulk network cables.
Why Choose The DIY Option?
Many users like to do build them solely for their interest in creating their own hardware and there’s another side to it as well. Making your own network cables is very cost-effective as compared to store bought ones. You can order bulk network cables at lower prices and join with them plugs that are also available at pretty competitive prices if bought in packets. All in all, you can make your own network cables at half the price than the ready made ones.
Moreover, with ready made network cables, you are stuck with the length of the cable the manufacturer provides which isn’t always feasible to your necessities. By doing it yourself, you can choose the desired length of cable with quality plugs to go with it.
Raw Materials Required
Firstly, choose the kind of cable you want to use for it. Ordering bulk network cables from an online store is not only cheaper but you can choose from a wide range of guaranteed quality products delivered at your doorsteps. There are many variants of these cables available; you can choose the one according to your requirements. There are also options for colors and lengths syncing with your needs. The cables can be CAT-1, CAT-2, CAT-3, CAT-4, CAT-5, CAT-5E, CAT-6, CAT-6E, and CAT-7. The 5E cable is most frequently used however you can go for Cat-6 and above for a greater transmission speed.
A network-cable tester also comes handy to confirm that your cables are wired properly. It isn’t an absolute necessity but saves a lot of time if you have any issues with the cable or connection while working on it.
The Procedure
Even though the procedure isn’t child’s play, it isn’t very complicated as well. There are a few things you should keep in mind and rest is good to go. A network cable consists of the skin and 8 lines inside it. The 8 lines need to be connected to the plug in a systematic order or else your cable won’t work. Also, make sure your plug is of the standard size that fits well into the computer socket.
To make a straight-through cable a different scheme is required than making a crossover cable, so you need to take care of the combinations as well.
Conclusion
Making DIY network cable is easy if the instructions are followed carefully and you get the right cables and plugs to go with it. But it comes with its own risks and dangers. DIY Network cables can sometimes be the reason for grave accidents if the connection isn’t built properly. If you are an amateur at electronic knowledge, it’s best to trust an expert manufacturer. Moreover, you can get your exact requirements at online stores which offer an extensive range of cables and electronic accessories.
Types of 6A Cables
Category 6A cables, generally referred to as CAT 6A are becoming increasingly popular among users because of their transmission speed which is much better than previous versions like CAT 5e, CAT 6, and others. The transmission speed of these cables can go up to 10Gbps and therefore becoming first choice for users of VoIP, CCTV, and other data networks. The data transfer is facilitated at the frequency of 500Mhz.
All categories under it are called CAT 6A under a broad umbrella but it can be divided into various types depending on various characteristics. There are basically two primary types of CAT 6A cables; namely – F/UTP and U/UTP. The terms FTP and UTP are to facilitate differentiation between shielded and unshielded cable. According to the ISO/IEC standards, the first letter indicates the type of overall shield while the latter points to the type of shielding on each pair and the balanced element. This, by far, can be stated to be the easiest way to differentiate between CAT 6A cables. Let’s have a look at the different type of combinations that are possible based on this:
CAT 6A U/UTP
In a CAT 6A U/UTP cable, each pair is individually shielded with a metal foil. The cross talk between pairs is controlled by individual foil shields so there can be long lays as compared to CAT6A F/UTP. The long lays between the pairs is easy to untwist and therefore shortens the termination time. The lower DC resistance in these cables provides better PoE support. The features of this cable increase the outer diameter of the cable.
CAT6A F/UTP
In a CAT6A F/UTP cable, the unshielded pairs are overall shielded with a metal foil. The foil shield keeps electrical noise from interfering with the cable. In these types of cables, the crosstalk between the pairs is controlled by the lay-length of the connection. Due to this mechanism, higher frequencies twist the pairs in small gaps with each pair having a varied lay. The cable also improves heat dissipation which minimizes temperature increase is PoE energized bundled cables.
S/FTP
A cable with twisted pair, it has four individually shielded pairs with an outer screen braid around all its pairs. This cable is considered from the Category 7 but sometimes is counted to be a part of CAT 6A cables.
Conclusion
Though there can be other differentiations on different basis, the standard distinction is done on this basis only. If you are using CAT6A cables for any installation, you must use a compatible shielded connector with shielded cables and similarly an unshielded cable for unshielded connectors. And to choose between shielded and unshielded cables, you need to consider your requirements along with the consideration of how cost-effective it turns out to be.
In today’s world of Internet of Things and Industrial Automation, the utility of Ethernet Cables has become inevitable. According to the concept of Internet of Things, even the everyday objects have network connectivity, which enables them to send and receive data. But in order to make the data exchange smooth, it is important to install Ethernet Cables properly.
By doing so, you will be able to decrease the downtime and enable the exchange of data between your data systems and network devices like modems, routers, adapters and other objects that ask for a connection. If you are installing Ethernet Network Cables, you need to keep certain things in mind.
How to plan for Ethernet Cable Installation?
Once you have decided the place where all your cables will terminate, you can plan your Ethernet cable installation. You must remember that the location for your cables should be big enough to accommodate your ongoing project. Also consider the future data network expansion plans in your plant.
In case your cable is going to be exposed to extreme environmental conditions, select a cable which is flexible and resistant to UV light, oil, chemicals, cutting, abrasion, oil etc. Thereafter, you need to take the following steps:
Choosing an Ethernet Cable
Before choosing networking cables for yourself, you need to know the features of each Ethernet cable. Details of each of these cables are given below.
CAT5E: CAT 5E cables can replace CAT5 and CAT3 and support up to 100Mbps at 100MHz. It also curbs cross talk and offers good speed.
CAT6: CAT 6 cables are backward compatible with the previous version of CAT cables, can be run in long lengths, have bigger gauge wires and support up to 10 Gb/s at 250 MHz bandwidth. CAT6 cables are also longer lasting. CAT 6A cables on the other hand enhances the capacity of CAT6 as it can perform up to 500Mhz and can cover distances up to 100 meters.
CAT 7A: This type of Ethernet Cable is a good alternative to fiber optic cabling. It supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet and frequencies of up to 1000Mhz.
Things To Keep in Mind
While you are installing Ethernet Cables, Keep the following things in mind:
1. Cross Power the Cable at 90 degrees: In case you have to cross the data network cabling, keep it at a 90º degrees and you can avoid interference.
2. Don’t pack them together: If the cables are kinked, they can affect the network and compromise with the quality of cables. So try not to create a snake pit out of it.
3. Go for different colours: Choose different colours for different cables so that there is no confusions and your data lines can remain organized.
4. Keep the cables away from risky places: In case if you are running the cable through ceiling or wall, ensure that it doesn’t come in contact with the ceiling tiles. Also, don’t run it over water pipes and electrical conduit as it is dangerous and might cause accidents.
5. Make use of an efficient wire management system: It is important to organize patch cabling between the racks. To organize efficiently, you can use wire bundling device or cable ties or Velcro.
Keep the above mentioned points in mind and start installing your Ethernet cables at the earliest.
Whenever you want to supply electricity to different types of networking, computing devices and AV without an adapter, Power Over Ethernet (PoE) technology works the best. Also, it lessens the number of building materials needed to connect and power a device through a single cable which takes care of both the services.
As the powered devices of today are no longer restricted to security cameras and VoIP phones such devices utilize Power over Ethernet connections. These devices also need high power levels. A new Power Over Ethernet (PoE) standard called – IEEE 802.3bt, supports up to 100W of power per cable.
Sometimes, if high power is running through a cable, it can cause performance issues by making the cable hot leading to high insertion loss. In order to curb this phenomenon from affecting productivity, Ethernet cables like CAT5 cables and CAT6 cables are used. But the best cables to use during such times are CAT 6A cables. Here’s why:
1. They cause less power loss
If you use 24-gauge CAT5E cables, you might lose nearly one-fifth of the total power. Now this is a lot of power loss. Doing the math, you will notice that it will cost you around $7/year. Count this per year for every PoE device used across your facility including all surveillance cameras and wireless access points. Hence, if you don’t want high operation costs, go for 23 gauge CAT 6A cable which has the potential to maximize the power running through itself and boost the energy efficiency. It will ensure that the power which is transferred through the cable is utilized at its best by decreasing the operation costs.
2. They have large gauge diameter
CAT 6A cables offer a large gauge diameter that lowers the resistance and controls power waste. This is because the tendency of temperature to increase is much low as compared to small gauge CAT 5E and Category 6 cables. Using 6A cables, you can get larger bundle sizes, higher ambient temperatures and flexibility. Try to compare a 23-gauge cabling with a 24-gauge one and you will see a huge difference in how the power is handled. Nearly 20% power through the cable gets “lost” in a 24-gauge CAT 5E cable which leads to inefficiency.
3. They can handle heat emitted from tightly packed cables
Usually if your cables are compactly packed in pathways, the heat will definitely increase as it cannot dissipate away from the cable. Most of CAT6 A cables have an insertion loss margin which is capable to handle the heat generated from tightly packed cables without affecting the performance of device. However, this is not applicable to all types of Category 6A cables.
Although most of these cables offer a 100 m solution, some of them also might have an 85 m solution if temperature rise is too much. So make sure that you go for a cable that helps you maintain its full 100 m performance.Now that you have known the importance of CAT6A cables and its advantages for Power Over Ethernet, you can make the right choice!
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