Ethernet cables play an important role in improving network performance. They are a critical component of every network that directly affects data transfer rates. As a result, network engineers choose them with extreme caution. Cat6a plenum cable is one of the most demanding Ethernet cable versions these days. It’s one of the more sophisticated Ethernet cable types, featuring high-performance traits and capabilities.
Due to its enhanced features and performance over earlier Ethernet cable versions, the Cat6a Ethernet cable has become the primary choice of many network engineers. The quality of the cable has a direct influence on network performance and, as a result, on the performance of network users.
Cat6a cable is available in a variety of configurations on the market. It is now up to the network designer to select the best variation for their network. Choosing the incorrect option might result in a variety of issues. Make your purchasing selection with great accuracy and attention to prevent these issues.
Available Variants Of Cat6a Plenum Cable: –
Cat6a Ethernet cable comes in a variety of configurations. In this post, we’ll look at them in terms of shielding variations. According to this characteristic, there are two major Cat6a Ethernet cable variations.
- Shielded (STP)
- Unshielded (UTP)
Shielded (STP) Cat6a Plenum Cable Variant: –
One of the most efficient Ethernet cables is Cat6a shielded twisted pair. Four twisted pairs of conductor wires are included in each Ethernet cable. These twisted pairs of wires have more insulation on them in this variation.
A layer of copper or aluminium with a polyester backing provides further shielding. Braided shielding is another approach to offer to shield to the conductor wires. It’s a lattice of tiny metal or copper wires that’s densely braided. Shielding the cables in this manner is a time-honoured method.
This additional shielding layer improves the cable’s resistance to interference such as EMI and crosstalk. The network engineers intend to build their network structure in an area with significant interference factors for a variety of reasons. For those networks, they should use these shielded twisted pair Ethernet cable options. It enhances the performance of their network while also saving money.
Unshielded (UTP) Cat6a Plenum Cable Variant: –
It is the most popular Ethernet cable type. It has four twisted pairs of conductor wires that are not shielded. The tightness of the twists applied to these conductor wires has a significant impact on the cable’s performance.
Other Variants in UTP & STP: –
There are also several more Cat6a Ethernet cable versions available on the market. In comparison to typical shielded and unshielded varieties, their shielding techniques are a little different.
- F / UTP – Foiled With Unshielded Twisted Pairs
- S / UTP – Shielded With Unshielded Twisted Pairs
- SF / UTP – Shielded And Foiled With Unshielded Twisted Pairs
- U / FTP – Unshielded With Foiled Twisted Pairs
- F /FTP – Foiled With Foiled Twisted Pairs
- S / FTP – Shielded With Foiled Twisted Pairs
- SF / FTP – Shielded And Foiled With Foiled Twisted Pairs
The first letter in the above cable types denotes the overall shielding type of conductor wires, while the second letter denotes the shielding of each pair of conductor wires.
It depends on the choices of the users and network engineers. They can select the cable from all these variants after analyzing their network needs and requirements. The UTP cable is a cheaper option as compared to the STP variants. Therefore, those who are looking for cheaper solutions should opt for UTP variants.
STP cables are best to use in places where the interference factors are very high. For example, if someone is designing a network where crosstalk and EMI factors are high then they should opt for STP variants as they are good against the interference factors. The performance of the STP variants against interference factors is much better as compared to the UTP variants.
Conclusion: –
Cat6a versions offer fast data transmission rates and large bandwidth capacity. The unshielded variant’s sole disadvantage is that it performs poorly in areas with strong interference factors.
The advantage of utilizing it is that it is less expensive than insulated versions of Cat6a cable. As a result, the network engineer has the option of using the unshielded variant if they believe it will accomplish the job well. They shouldn’t spend any more money on protected variations in this situation. They should save their money and get unshielded models.
A Cat6 plenum cable is also a good option for those users who are looking for a little less expensive Ethernet cable. The performance of the cable is almost equivalent to Cat6a cable but much cheaper than it. Therefore, users who are not designing big networks where the distances of attached devices from the server are not over 50 meters. Cat6 Plenum cable works the same as the Cat6a cable. So, they should not invest more in buying an expensive Cat6a cable.
