We are guessing: that you were looking for the best ethernet cable for your LAN network, you learned about the bulk cat6 cable, and then you learned about the shielded Cat6 plenum cable. But you still don’t know enough about it and you are unsure whether or not you should buy it?
Great News! We are exclusively discussing the cutting-edge plenum-rated bulk Cat6 cable. We will go from category 6 and its history to the finest details of the cable so you can make an informed decision.
Let’s dive in.
(Brief) History of Category 6
Ethernet category cables, like all other electronic or otherwise ‘products’ have evolved over time. This evolution does not necessarily result in improvement for all but for the Shielded Cat6 Plenum cable 1000ft, it certainly has.
It was introduced as an improved version of the previous ethernet category 5. With more twists per unit length and thicker conductors than its predecessor, it proved to be a faster and more powerful cable.
Cat6 Shielded Plenum 1000ft Specifications
The shielded Cat6 plenum cable (1000ft) has a bandwidth capacity of 550 MHz and a whopping data transfer rate of 1 Gbps. It comes with 4 shielded and tightly twisted conductor pairs of 23 AWG wires. These wires are available in both pure copper and copper-clad aluminum.
The bulk Cat6 cable is certified by EIA/TIA and follows their 568 A and B wiring scheme. It is also made in compliance with the ROHS standards to ensure eco-friendly manufacturing.
Applications: It can be used for almost all ethernet applications such as gigabit ethernet, 10-gigabit ethernet (over 50 meters), PoE, PoE+/++, etc. Note: POE applications on Cat6 are only recommended over the bare copper conductors.
Pro Tip: Always go for pure copper conductors when buying cables.
What is a Plenum Jacket and Why Do I need It?
A plenum jacket is made out of the best materials in existence. It is extremely resistant to heat, humidity, and other environmental uncertainties. The LSZH materials which it is made from can extinguish the fire if in a fire hazard – which is very unlikely. Also, it does not emit any toxic smoke which ensures the safety of the lives on your property.
You need it for safety, performance, reliability, and last but not the least, for the convenience of the ability to install it anywhere. Yes, it can be installed anywhere from indoor HVAC ducts to outdoor marshy areas. This cable will last and will deliver the best performance.
What is a Cable Shielding?
As it is implied by the term ‘shielding’, the cable shielding in the Cat6 Plenum is a protective metal film that is integrated onto the cable conductors, beneath the jacket.
The job of the cable shield is to ensure a steady and smooth flow of signals across the conductors. It does this by reflecting or absorbing the electromagnetic emissions from the other cables in your network that have gone haywire. Pun intended.
An amateur networking engineer will underestimate the importance of this shielding in reliable signal transmission. But if you have even a little bit of experience in wiring up networks, you will understand how strong a shielded cable can relay signals. In short, buy the shielded Cat6 plenum cable 1000ft.
Cat6 Shielded Plenum Cable: Pros and Cons
Well obviously, it comes with both pros and cons. Here’s what they are.
Pros:
The performance: It is an advantage that you should not compromise on. The performance of the Cat6 shielded plenum 1000ft cable is unmatched. Flawless. Impeccable. You will never complain about attenuation or data packet losses.
It is everlasting: As stressed in the previous parts, the plenum jacket makes the cable a robust tool for data transfer. It typically lasts for a period of 10-years. With a 100% pure copper conductor, a CMP jacket, a conductor wire separator, and the shielding, the Cat6 cable 1000ft is immune to all sorts of extreme environments and entropy. Bury it underground or put it in a ventilation duct, this is the best out there and it proves it by its everlasting performance.
Cons:
Cost: It costs more than a good old unshielded Cat6. Understandably, the top-of-the-line specifications can only be achieved by using the top-of-the-line materials – which cost more than the average. But in any case, the UTP Cat6 plenum cable will last for a long time while also delivering the best performance which will most probably return value to you. So, it’s not a loss but an investment.
How to Buy Shielded Cat6 Plenum Cable
Once you know about the Cat6 shielded plenum cable, buying it is the easy bit.
You can buy the cable from any recognized store that offers a warranty and supplies standard shielded Cat6 plenum cable 1000ft. Also, be sure to get it with easy-to-install packaging and cable that is certified by industry regulatory bodies.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog and that you are now ready to buy the right shielded Cat6 cable for your network.
