This week we are going to discuss Ethernet cable types as there are quite a few options available and come confusion on what to use and where to use it.
Let’s start with the most common basic types these are:
Standard Data Rate
Cat 5e 10/100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps (Gigabit) Ethernet, bandwidth of 100 Mhz
Cat 6 Gigabit Ethernet with a bandwidth of up to 250 Mhz
Cat 6A 10,000 Mbps with a bandwidth to 500 Mhz
Cat 7 10 Gbps (10,000 Mbps) and bandwidths of up to 600 Mhz
Each of the above with the exception of Cat 7 are available in both Unshielded and Screened. The Screening is available in a number of formats including:
FTP (Foil Twisted Pair)
STP (Shielded Twisted Pair)
S/FTP (Double Screened Twisted Pair)
The following image shows the different screen types: (Click on image for larger view)
The question we often answer is “When should I use Screened Cable” the answer is simple. In most cases UTP Cable is just fine however, in industrial environments where heavy machines are in use producing magnetic fields that can cause interference then a shielded cable is required. Also anywhere there is a chance that there may be other electrical cables or signals in close proximity.
We hope this has been helpful and as with everything there is more to it than this simple overview which is why it’s always best to consult the experts if you’re not sure what to use.
