Cat6 Cable and Its Types

 

If you're considering upgrading your network cables, Cat6 cable is an excellent choice. Shielded and unshielded versions both offer good speeds and less crosstalk than their counterparts. But do you know what the differences between the two types are? If not, read on to find out. Listed below are the differences between the types of Cat6 cable. So, how do you choose the right one? Here's some helpful information to get you started.

Shielded Cat6 Cable

CAT6 Shielded Cable is used for network applications in Gigabit Ethernet. It is compatible with CAT5e and CAT6 products and is RoHS compliant. Shielded cables have four pairs of 24 AWG stranded conductors wired to gold-plated RJ45 plugs. Available in nine different colors, Shielded Cat6 cables are available in a variety of lengths.

The shielding on CAT6 cables comes in two forms - a generic shield and individual pairs of twisted pairs. The latter type has an outer braid shield, while the former has individual foil or copper braid shields. Shielded Cat6 cable is ideal for noisy environments and is also available with the maximum shielding, or STP. The shielding helps maintain signal strength over long distances. Compared to bare copper cables, shielded cables can reduce crosstalk and EMI.

CAT6 Cables are UL-listed, TIA/EIA 568B.2 and ISO/IEC 11801 and are backward compatible with CAT 5e. Shielded cables are ideal for use in offices and other environments where noise is an issue. Shielded CAT6 Cables are incredibly versatile and offer a range of benefits. Whether you're using them for a router, computer, gaming console, or even a wireless-enabled camera, you'll be able to connect the two.

Unshielded Cat6 Cable

A wired network is more reliable than a wireless one if it is shielded, but unshielded cable is not as effective. This cable has four twisted pairs instead of eight, which reduces EMI and crosstalk. The shield also helps the cable maintain its signal strength over longer distances. Unshielded Cat6 cables are much easier to install and terminate than shielded ones.

Cat6 cables are usually used in network backbones and are slightly more expensive than their predecessors. They are also suitable for Power over Ethernet technologies, because of their higher data transfer rate and less crosstalk. The advantage of using CAT6 cables is that they are backwards compatible with CAT5e devices. If you have a large network, you'll want to use the highest-quality cable available.

For small and medium-sized businesses, unshielded Cat6 cables are sufficient. In more complicated environments, however, a shielded version is recommended. The shield connection must be continuous from end to end. If there is more than one ground connection in the cable, a ground loop will develop. In this case, noise will enter the cabling. Luckily, shielded Cat6a cables don't have these limitations.

Cat6a Cable

If your network needs to transfer high-speed data, you may want to use the latest Cat6a+ cables. This cable can transmit data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps and is compatible with 99% of network equipment. You will need to buy additional networking hardware and switches to use this cable. It is not possible to upgrade just the cable; you must upgrade the entire network infrastructure. Cat6a+ cables are heavier and require more attention to detail than standard Cat6 cable. You may want to contact a network cabling contractor to do this job.

When compared to their predecessors, the Cat6a cable has a higher bend radius. The bend radius allows the cable to be bent less easily, which makes them easier to install. The bend radius on Cat6a+ cables is roughly four times the diameter of the cable. Since the bend radius is bigger, Cat6a+ cables will require more space, which is a good thing if you need to route multiple cables across a room.

If you're looking to buy Cat6A cables, consider the Snaggles Discontinuous Shielded Cat6A patch cable. It is perfect for running cables through walls, ceilings, and HVACs. You may also want to consider buying a shielded Cat6A cable if you live in an area where signal interference and EMI are a problem. You can find these cables at Warehouse Cables, as well as other retailers.