We all know how much we love to work in a fast-paced environment; likewise, we need fast and reliable networking cables for business, despite wireless networking which might be the best option for small businesses for large enterprises. Network cables are the best friend to the end.
So when you think of network elevation (Upgradation) what features do you want to consider that’s all-time important? Should you consider the server speed? Or must check the cable quality, the jacket type, or the environment to use bulk shielded ethernet cables. Well, I suggest you consider all the factors.
So here is the tip — forget about the previous Cat5e Ethernet Cable. Let’s embrace the fast connectivity with the Cat6 Cable. The ultimate hero of networking to support the highest speed to cater to maximum applications.
Foundation of Your Network — Cat6 Cable
For strong and quality networking the foundation must be strong and come with the right type of Gigabit Ethernet Cable. While buying the ethernet cable, you often ask some queries about the cable or the use of the cable for your network. Rather you should seek to find the perfect quality cable. There are some signs of the best quality cable that you should focus on.
- Industry compliance
- UTP or STP cables
- Premium quality outer jackets
- Copper conductor
- Highest bandwidth
- Longer runs
- Highest build quality
- Durability
- Warranty
- Price and Value
Just like the Cat 6 riser cable has marked its existence in the modern ethernet cables due to its Gigabit speed at longer runs 1 Gbps at 328ft. It becomes even more aggressive to support 10 Gbps speed over a shorter length. Don’t forget about the transmission of the data packets through the cable as the first thing is that the cable conductor is 23 AWG in size and the copper conductor will support fast data transmission.
Cat6 Riser Ethernet Cable
You might be figuring out which one is flame-resistant — Riser or Plenum. Well, the plenum has the maximum fire resistance capacity but has a high price. Now the cost-effective mode is Cat 6 riser copper cable. No, you can’t be the one using it for the outdoor wiring options.
Keep in mind that the riser and plenum jackets are for indoor cabling options and it is forbidden to use these jackets outside. The riser and plenum jackets can be used outside with conduit (Extra protective sheath).
The CAT 6 riser cable can be used for various terms like networking, surveillance, VoIP, IoT devices, and for longer runs. But there is more to learn about the twisted pair cables.
Is Cat6 Riser Cable Shielded?
In general, the shielded cables are denoted as STP here this is a general term for the shielded cables. But in real life, the shielded cables have two major types of insulation — Aluminum Foil (F) and Braided Mess (S). Here F and S are used to identify the shielding type inside the cable.
The cat6 riser 1000ft cable can be shielded due to the active interference in the field. Both jackets Cat6 Plenum and Cat 6 riser cable come with the Shielded and Unshielded variants.
The shielded cables are used for spaces where there are complex wiring structures and there is a high chance of signal deterioration.
The disadvantage of the shielded Cat6 Riser 1000ft cable is its thicker physical structure. The high price is another factor. Lowest bending radius which can make it a difficult fit for the sharper bends within the buildings. Whenever you are going to install the shielded cable you might find it challenging and you might need to hire a cable installer.
Why Riser Is a Fireproof Jacket?
To be honest, the Riser (PVC) jacket is fire-resistant and also emits less toxic smoke thus does not make this jacket fully fireproof. The primary need for the riser spaces is they do not need fire-resistant jackets. Just like Cat6 riser copper cables can be used for the vertical spaces of the buildings but they are not made to withstand plenum area requirements.
Bulk Cat6 riser cable can be used for the following reasons in a building or office. The cable has future-proof properties so you can add more advanced technologies that require Gigabit speed.
The benefits of using Bulk Cat6 riser copper cable are as follows.
- Fire Safety — Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) makes it a fire-resistant material and emits less toxic smoke when exposed to fire.
- Vertical Installations — only for indoor installation and in riser shafts of the buildings.
- Performance — Speed and cable bandwidth make it a viable option for high-density applications.
- Compatibility — Cat6 riser copper cable can be used for 100/1000BASE-T for Fast and Gigabit Ethernet. Over a shorter length, it can support 10 Gbps speed. The copper conductor makes it a better option.
Which Is Right — Copper or CCA
Copper is a premium conductor and CCA stands for “Copper-Clad Aluminum” which is quite flexible and turns out to be the cost-effective choice. Now how will you identify the right conductor type needed?
Bulk Cat6 riser cable is available in both Copper and CCA conductors, one at a premium price, and the CCA cable is a few bucks ($$) — cost-effective.
The CCA conductor is 30% Copper and 70% Aluminum and can vary accordingly depending on the manufacturer. To idealize the right need for the conductor type go through the table.
| Features | Solid Copper | CCA (Copper-Clad Aluminum) |
| Composition | Pure Copper Conductor | 30/70 ratio copper coated over aluminum |
| Conductivity | Excellent conductivity especially over longer runs and low electrical resistance | Provide better conductivity over a shorter length |
| Cost | Most expensive ($$$$) | $$ low cost |
| Weight | Heavier | Lightweight |
| Durability | Durable and also resistant to corrosion | Can be durable but is susceptible to corrosion and mechanical damage |
| Applications | Best for PoE, VoIP, IoT, and Fast Ethernet Applications | The CCA conductor is used for the daily needs of browsing, checking emails, and sending medium files |
| Performance | Top-notch performance without any delay gets heated | Having low heat dissipation capacity so sometimes the performance is compromised |
| Longevity | Copper cables can survive up to 8 to 10 years | Having shorter lifespans and they are selected for temporary installation |
Additional Tips
When choosing the Cat6 riser cable, the inner core (Conductor) is most important so that you can go with the flow. Bulk Cat6 riser 1000ft cable has two options CCA and Copper. Now if you want better performance, durability, and conductivity — go for the expensive Cat6 riser copper cable. Or else you have another saving option for the Cat6 riser CCA cable.
