Ethernet Cable

Johnboy1951 · 18-10-2016 5:54pm #1

It is about time I purchased a new roll of ethernet cable.
The last one I bought was Cat5e.
My intention is to get Cat 6 this time around ..... but there appears to be some confusion caused by the naming of some cable.

For instance I see Cat 6e advertised but believe there is no such specification?

Any advice welcomed.

Example of Cat6e
http://www.freetv.ie/cat6-cable-50m/

ShiverinEskimo · 18-10-2016 5:58pm

You're correct there's no official Cat 6e. Just Cat 6.

Be aware that Cat 6 is a standard which depends on all links in the chain - not just the cable. The jacks and sockets and how they are wired is critical to a fully compliant Cat 6 infrastructure.

Depending on your needs a Cat 5e cable run may be a cheaper and perfectly suitable cable run.

Johnboy1951 · 18-10-2016 7:03pm

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

You're correct there's no official Cat 6e. Just Cat 6.

Be aware that Cat 6 is a standard which depends on all links in the chain - not just the cable. The jacks and sockets and how they are wired is critical to a fully compliant Cat 6 infrastructure.

Depending on your needs a Cat 5e cable run may be a cheaper and perfectly suitable cable run.

Yes 5e might do at present, but 6/6a would future proof it.

I also see UTP & FTP and other descriptions about which I am unsure.
So if one were to list the cables what distinguishes them?
What difference would a choice make?

satguy · 18-10-2016 8:16pm

Go with Cat 6a ,, its about €1 per meter ..

100M CAT6A Copper Network Cable

Its perfect for that future proof home network you always wanted..

Good https://www.amazon.co.uk/CAT6A-Copper-Network-10GBASE-T-Ethernet/dp/B00L46YWRG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476821364&sr=8-2&keywords=cat6a+cable+100m

Better https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZXWLF6S/ref=pd_sim_sbs_23_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=B9SD6GZMNDQHXVGFNFKA

ShiverinEskimo · 18-10-2016 8:17pm

Unshielded versus Foil-shielded. Depending on your cable run lengths and the density of cabling you might want to consider shielded cable but for a domestic or SME set-up it's complete overkill.

What is the project?

Johnboy1951 · 18-10-2016 8:40pm

satguy wrote: »

Go with Cat 6a ,, its about €1 per meter ..

100M CAT6A Copper Network Cable

Its perfect for that future proof home network you always wanted..

Good https://www.amazon.co.uk/CAT6A-Copper-Network-10GBASE-T-Ethernet/dp/B00L46YWRG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476821364&sr=8-2&keywords=cat6a+cable+100m

Better https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZXWLF6S/ref=pd_sim_sbs_23_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=B9SD6GZMNDQHXVGFNFKA

Thanks!

It seems I will need to get specific plugs if I get Cat6a cable?
Can you comment?

Johnboy1951 · 18-10-2016 9:44pm

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Unshielded versus Foil-shielded. Depending on your cable run lengths and the density of cabling you might want to consider shielded cable but for a domestic or SME set-up it's complete overkill.

What is the project?

Internet as well as media distribution, including HD Live TV and probably UHD in the future and whatever might develop in the next number of years ... multiple simultaneous users.
I have the opportunity to ensure some future proofing, so thought using better cable than my standard Cat5e UDP might be an idea.

Thinking further it might make little difference ...

satguy · 18-10-2016 10:15pm

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Thanks!

It seems I will need to get specific plugs if I get Cat6a cable?
Can you comment?

It's not hard to do for Cat6a you only need RJ45 connectors.
See Vid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo3-ObGOJig

Cat6 vs Cat6a What's The Difference 10 Gigabit Ethernet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op6RluvPdic

CAT6A STP RJ45 Shielded Modular Plug
https://www.amazon.com/CAT6A-RJ45-Shielded-Modular-Plug/dp/B00O3H03YO

Nollog · 18-10-2016 11:46pm

Cat6e is a mistake people make coming from 5e. They mean 6a.

I did a bit or research on my own network upgrade a couple months ago. I got cat6 cables in the end. the jump in price wasn't worth it to me.
My network uses are the same as yours OP.

Johnboy1951 · 19-10-2016 12:20am

/\/ollog wrote: »

Cat6e is a mistake people make coming from 5e. They mean 6a.

Yeah I was surprised to see it advertised on a site I would have expected to have correct information

http://www.freetv.ie/cat6-cable-50m/

I did a bit or research on my own network upgrade a couple months ago. I got cat6 cables in the end. the jump in price wasn't worth it to me.
My network uses are the same as yours OP.

Thanks that is useful.
I had read about some physical differences in 6a and was concerned that I might have to change plugs and crimping tool to suit.

Did you get UTP or FTP Cat6 cable?

Johnboy1951 · 19-10-2016 12:22am

satguy wrote: »

It's not hard to do for Cat6a you only need RJ45 connectors.
See Vid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo3-ObGOJig

Cat6 vs Cat6a What's The Difference 10 Gigabit Ethernet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op6RluvPdic

CAT6A STP RJ45 Shielded Modular Plug
https://www.amazon.com/CAT6A-RJ45-Shielded-Modular-Plug/dp/B00O3H03YO

Thanks for the links ..... I got a very good idea of the physical size increase for Cat6a.
I believe I will go with Cat6 (and probably use up remaining Cat5e also).
Thanks for the help.

Nollog · 21-10-2016 6:36am

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Yeah I was surprised to see it advertised on a site I would have expected to have correct information
http://www.freetv.ie/cat6-cable-50m/

Thanks that is useful.
I had read about some physical differences in 6a and was concerned that I might have to change plugs and crimping tool to suit.

Did you get UTP or FTP Cat6 cable?

It's shielded... Probably not much though. Foil I think.

Johnboy1951 · 21-10-2016 9:18am

/\/ollog wrote: »

It's shielded... Probably not much though. Foil I think.

Thanks ...... this is what I am considering

https://www.kabelshop.nl/Valueline-Cat6-FTP-stugge-kabel-op-rol-100-meter-VLCR85293E100-i1676-t4834.html

I would appreciate comments on the suitability or otherwise of this product, thanks.

Is it too cheap to be any good?

durtybit · 22-01-2017 6:50pm

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Thanks ...... this is what I am considering

https://www.kabelshop.nl/Valueline-Cat6-FTP-stugge-kabel-op-rol-100-meter-VLCR85293E100-i1676-t4834.html

I would appreciate comments on the suitability or otherwise of this product, thanks.

Is it too cheap to be any good?

When it says CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum) its wont meet CAT6 specification (or any specification for that matter). I would avoid anything that is of this type of cable, the only spec it should have is "Cheapo Ethernet cable"

If the website does not specify that the cable is CCA ask if its pure copper (i.e no aluminium)

Easily tested with a lighter as per below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojFPdg7DGvk

durtybit · 22-01-2017 6:56pm

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Yeah I was surprised to see it advertised on a site I would have expected to have correct information
http://www.freetv.ie/cat6-cable-50m/

Make sure to ask if the cables use solid copper without aluminum, most websites I would say don't even realize what they are selling

SFCable · 16-03-2017 9:15am

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Yeah I was surprised to see it advertised on a site I would have expected to have correct information ;)

Sometimes it looks advertise but it will help a lot.

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Ethernet Cable

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