Things to Consider before buying Cat6 Bare Copper Cable
Things to Consider before buying Cat6 Bare Copper Cable
Category 6 twisted-pair Ethernet cables are high-performance cables with a wide array of variants distinguished by different types of conductors, jackets, etc. These cables are popular for their high-speed data transfer capacity and immunity to EMI and crosstalk.
If you are looking to buy Bulk Cat6 cables, you need to consider a few important things. Doing so will ensure that you get the perfect cables for your local area network (LAN) and will therefore have exceptional capabilities to run your business operations. So in this article, we have listed the important things/specifications that you must consider before buying category 6 bare copper cables. Read on to find out.
What is Cat6 Bare Copper Cable?
Category 6 cable, short for Cat6, is the successor of Cat5 ethernet cable. This cable particularly features 4 twisted pairs of 23 AWG bare copper conductors. The twists in the conductor allow it to have superior resistance against electromagnetic interference and external crosstalk. The bare copper conductor also ensures high-speed data transfer rates of up to 1 Gbps over 100 meters of length and up to 10 Gbps over 50 meters.
Additionally, it has a whopping bandwidth capacity support of up to 550 MHz which coupled with a high-speed data transmission rate makes it ideal for all high-speed ethernet applications. It is pertinent to mention that this cable follows EIA/TIA twisted pair cabling protocols and is terminated in all sorts of RJ 45 jacks.
Cable Jacket
The cable jacket is the first thing you need to consider before you buy the 6th category cable. It is important because it ensures the safety and performance of your network. The cable comes in three different jackets and each one has its unique specifications and uses.
Plenum: Communications Multipurpose Plenum (CMP) is a premium quality jacket with the highest fire safety and performance standards. It is made out of a low smoke zero halogen material that is highly resistant to extreme temperatures, water/humidity, and even dust. And that is why it is used in indoor plenum spaces with a flux of air flowing freely, such as dropped ceilings and raised floors. The jacket features self fire extinguishing features and prevents fire from propagating from one room to another.
Riser: Communications Multipurpose Riser (CMR) is the second-best jacket with heat resistance and self-fire extinguishing features. However, in case of a fire hazard, it can emit toxic smoke that can be dangerous for the inhabitants of the building. It is designed for use in the riser spaces of a building and a riser space is any enclosed indoor space such as elevator shafts, inside of walls, and the space between floors.
PVC: PVC jacket is specifically designed for outdoor use and it should not be installed indoor spaces. In case of a fire hazard, it can emit toxic smoke and its fire safety standards are moderate.
Cable Conductor
When you are buying a cat6 bare copper cable, you need to pay careful attention to which conductor you get. There are two options available: Bare copper and Copper-Clad Aluminum. Now, note that bare copper is divided further into two types, which are stranded and solid. For long-distance transmission purposes, choose the solid variant and for short-distance installations, stranded copper cable is a better choice.
Shielded or Unshielded
Shielding in a cable is an extra sheath of a metal foil that protects the core of the cable from interference and crosstalk. If your network is crowded with a lot of cables, a shielded cat6 cable will serve you better. Otherwise, for small-scale or domestic networks, the unshielded cable will work perfectly.
Cable Applications
Cat6 cable supports all high-speed ethernet applications and you can choose it without worrying about if it would be a good choice for video streaming, online gaming, etc. It supports 1000BASE-T, 10BASE-T, PoE, and PoE++ which is ideal for business use.
Cable length
You need to decide how long a cable you need because it directly affects its performance. The standard run length of the cable is 100 meters and it will perform at its maximum capacity at this length. However, if you run it longer than the standard limit, it might not perform as per its specifications. Similarly, if you run it at shorter lengths, the cable will perform much better due to the reduction in resistance and interference.
Industry Standards
Cat6 bare copper cable is in compliance with the following safety standards: c(ETL)us, TIA/EIA568-C.2, RoHS.
SmarTech Cables
For cutting-edge ethernet cables or accessories, check out SmarTech Cables. We are the industry leader in manufacturing high-performance networking cables and accessories. Our products exceed the industry standards and we are offering market competitive prices, coupled with free shipping on orders above $99. If you need assistance, our professional customer support team is available.
