Cat6 Shielded Plenum cable is arguably the most commonly used cable in both domestic and business LAN networks. This is due to its reliability, unmatched performance, affordable price, and ultimate safety features.
If you are looking to Buy Cat6 Shielded Cable 1000ft, you have made the right choice. It will take your LAN to another level of reliability and functionality while also saving you maintenance and possible replacement costs.
In this detailed guide, we will walk you through the specifications of the cable to choose the right option. Let’s dive in.
Cat6 Plenum Shielded Specifications
Before you can buy the cat6 plenum cable, you obviously need to know what it is. You also need to understand the meaning of its specifications. So first thing, we will break down everything simply and clearly.
Cable conductor
The cable conductor is a metal wire that uses an electrical current to carry signals across. These electrical signals are converted into different natures as they are transferred from one medium (conductor) to another (devices such as computers, CCTV cameras, smart TVs, etc).
Cat6 Plenum Cable comes in two types of conductors. The first one is a copper-clad aluminum conductor, known as CCA. The second one is a bare copper conductor known as BC or pure copper. Copper is the best conductor in existence. It is malleable and ductile, meaning you can easily twist and turn it into any shape of your desire. It is highly efficient at transferring data, meaning less lag or ‘ping’.
This efficiency, in turn, makes it highly resistant to heat and it does not overheat under high performance or extreme environmental conditions.
The CCA conductor, on the other hand, is an aluminum base with copper cladding on top to enhance its performance. This is rather brittle and if you use it at high capacities for long periods, it will either overheat or break. However, for small-scale use, it is a decent option.
Cable jacket
A cable jacket is the outermost layer on any cable. It protects the interior of the cable from the environment and in the case of high-voltage electric cables, the jacket also protects people who may get in contact with the cable conductors.
Cat6 cable is produced in three different types of jackets. But as the name suggests, the Cat6 Plenum cable is the one with a plenum or a Communications Multipurpose Plenum (CMP) jacket.
This jacket is the best of all. Made out of flame-retardant ‘low smoke zero halogens’ (LSZH) materials, is designed for indoor spaces where air can circulate freely. Such indoor spaces are also known as plenum spaces. For example, a raised floor or a dropped ceiling.
Although the jacket is highly resistant to heat and would not catch fire, if it should catch fire, it will self-extinguish the flame and the little, if any, smoke emitted will not be toxic.
Note: If you are installing a cable with a plenum jacket in your building, the official inspectors are most likely to approve it instantly.
Cable Shielding
Shielding or Shield, as the name suggests is a protective layer of a metal foil that protects the signal transmission against electromagnetic interference (EMI). EMI is the interference of signals from a surrounding cable in the signal transmission of another cable.
It is a significant factor that adds to the substandard performance of a networking cable. Cat6 Plenum Shielded Cable has a metal foil wrapped around the conductors that absorbs the interfering signals from other cables in the vicinity and prevents them from reaching into the cable core. While it may seem a small feature but it makes a big difference in keeping the signal integrity of the cable intact.
Cable Speed and Bandwidth
The speed and bandwidth capacity of the Category 6 plenum cable is ideal for business LAN networks with a high-performance requirement and by extension for domestic networks as well.
The speed of the cable is up to 1 Gbps over 100 meters and if you run the cable at up to 50 meters, it can transmit data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps. The bandwidth of the cable is 550 MHz which basically suffices for almost all ethernet applications in existence.
Cable length
Bulk Cat6 plenum cable comes in a 1000ft length. But the recommended run length of the cable is up to 328 feet. For your reference, the average network runs this cable at 200 feet.
The point of installing the cable at the recommended length is that its performance is dependent on it. The longer the run length of the cable, the less efficient the signal transmission.
Cable Color
Different colors of this Shielded Cat6 Plenum Cable 1000ft make it easier to manage it. It comes in five different colors: Red, Yellow, Green, White, and Blue. If you install the cable in the same color, it will be a hassle when it will be time for a little maintenance. Using cables of different colors will make it easier to segregate the cable that you need.
Cat6 Plenum Shielded Buying Guide
Now you know almost everything about the cable. It is time to use that knowledge to buy the perfect one for your requirement. Here’s the buying guide.
Requirements
After you know the specifications of the cable, you need to assess your requirements. What length of the cable would be sufficient for your need (always buy a little more than you need, just in case), which conductor is the best for you, and how many different colors of the cable do you need?
A simple way to figure out your requirements is to draw a blueprint of your network. And take notes as you brainstorm your requirements. Use the blueprint and notes to make an informed decision.
Types
Now, as you brainstorm and take notes of your requirements, be sure to specify the types of cables you will be needing. As mentioned earlier, the cable comes with different conductors and colors, so you need to decide your needs at this moment.
Choose different colored cables for different purposes e.g. if you are getting the red Cat6 plenum for PoE applications, get the green one for your smart TVs.
Note: Always get the bare copper conductor cable regardless of your requirement. It is safer, reliable, lasts longer, and performs better.
Certifications
You probably know there are a number of certifications a cable can have. Bare copper Cat6 Plenum 1000ft is recognized by the nationally recognized testing labs - UL and ETL. If the cable you are getting is certified by these two regulatory bodies, it is safe and will perform up to its specifications.
You can also buy cables that are in compliance with RoHS. Such cables are made in accordance with the environmental safety guidelines and are eco-friendly.
Applications
Cat6 plenum shielded cable 1000ft is capable of supporting all ethernet applications such as gigabit ethernet, 10-gigabit Ethernet, PoE, PoE+/++, etc. this means that whatever ethernet application you will be using, this cable will seamlessly support it.
Note: Cat6 Plenum CCA does not support PoE, PoE+/++.
Cost
The cost of the cable varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and it is not possible to give an informed estimate. In any case, the cable is quite affordable and does not cost anything extraordinary
You can also buy it at discounted rates. To find the best sales on the cable, visit the NewYork Cables website frequently.
Making the Purchase
At this point, you should be prepared to purchase the cable wisely. You know what you need and you also know the nuts and bolts of the Cat6 plenum shielded 1000ft. It’s time to buy the cable and establish an enviable LAN network.
Why NewYork Cables?
NewYork Cables is the leading brand of cutting-edge networking cables and accessories. We are renowned for producing products at market competitive prices that surpass industry standards. In addition to the unmatched quality of our products, we are also known for having the best customer support in the industry. Place your order now or contact us at [email protected] for more info.
