While purchasing the cables, you may notice that they are classified into different categories. For example, Cat-5, Cat-5e, Cat-6, Cat-6a, etc. These numbers indicate the specific version supported by the cable. A general rule is that a higher number represents faster speeds and higher frequencies, measured in megahertz (MHz). As technology advances, newer cables usually support higher bandwidths. Thus, they provide increased download speeds and faster connections.
Based on safety, the other two types of cables are STP (shielded twisted pair) and UTP (unshielded twisted pair) cables. STPs are more suitable where there is a high chance of electronic interference than UTP cables. Shielded cables are further categorized as FTP cables (foil-twisted pair cable) and SFTP cables (shielded and foil-twisted pair cable).
Let us look at the factors that can influence your decision while choosing a network cable
for high performance and better security.
Here's a guide to choosing your cable network
1. Copper Conductor
The cable material, especially the copper conductor, affects the cable pricing and influences the cable performance. They are available with copper-clad aluminum cords and copper wires (including pure copper wire, oxygen-free copper wire, and bare copper wire). The purity of copper makes an evident difference as it determines the quality of the cable. The better the copper, the less signal loss you will suffer. Choose oxygen-free copper wire with a copper purity of up to 99.95% for less signal loss. However, if you want cost-saving cables, use copper-clad aluminum wires.
Both the purity order of copper and the cable price is in order, i.e. oxygen-free copper wire, then pure copper wire, then bare copper wire, and after that, copper-clad aluminum wire.
2. Cable connectors
The material of the connectors in a cable plug is an essential factor for constantly maintaining the signal. For conductivity, silver is better than gold or copper, which is better than aluminum. Then there is nickel or iron.
In the natural world, silver and aluminum oxidize expeditiously, while gold hardly corrodes. Therefore, gold is the ideal material for achieving a strong and lasting Internet connection. In addition, you won't have to replace cables as frequently and won't lose the signal more often. You can also use the KX7 cable for high-frequency electrical signals with low losses.
Moreover, the thickness of gold plating is also appropriate to maintain a strong signal. The thickest gold plating available is 50 microns, which is optimal for maintaining a fast and stable Internet connection.
3. Cable Jacket Rate
There are two kinds of cable jackets: flame-retardant and non-flame-retardant. Flame retardants, as the name suggests, are typically designed to resist the spread of fire. For safety concerns, choose flame-retardant cables. You can also use a patch cord to connect electronic or optical devices for signal routing.
There are several types of flame retardants, including CM, CMR, CMP, and LSZH. Ethernet cords with PVC CM and LSZH jackets are commonly used to patch the cable environment.
4. Length and Color
An appropriate cable length is crucial to provide sufficient length to connect the cord with the devices. For example, when connecting CCTV, the maximum allowed length of the camera cable is 100 meters (328 ft).
In addition, when several Ethernet cables connect to switches or routers, the color will make it easier to determine which cord goes where. Besides aesthetics, it is for cable management.
To conclude,
Having the correct type of cable can impact the performance of the Internet. There are numerous options available; therefore, it is a difficult task to choose which cable is appropriate for you. Pinsol is a distributor of innovative solutions in the field of network infrastructure with the best quality and affordable prices.