Factors to Consider when Buying Ethernet Cables

It is the age of Wi-Fi and people have gotten used to wireless connections. Yet, there are still some significant benefits that wired connections using Ethernet cables have to offer. Therefore, it is not surprising to know that wired connections are still being used these days. However, it is important to remember that not all cables are equally created. If you want to reap the benefits, you have to ensure that you are using the right cables because it has an impact on the performance of your devices. The cables that are available in the market have different data transfer rates, technical specifications, configurations and construction and all of these factors help in determining their suitability for various applications.

Here are some of the factors to consider when you are purchasing Ethernet cables for a wired connection:

Types of Ethernet cables

There are several categories of Ethernet cables available and these are used for determining their capabilities. Cat 5 and Cat 5e are some of the common cables that are used for different household applications. These cables are readily available and that too at a very reasonable price. These cables can give you speeds of up to 100 Mbps, but Cat 5e can support even higher speeds of about 1,000 Mbps. This category of Ethernet cable has been designed to improve reception and reduce interference.

You can also find advanced cables such as Cat 6, which are suitable for faster connections and high speeds. These wires are able to support speeds of up to 10 Gbps. As compared to the Cat 5 cables, these are designed to have a higher megahertz rating. A frequency of 250 MHz is supported by Cat 6 cables whereas a frequency of 100 MHz can be supported by Cat 5 cables. Therefore, Cat 6 Ethernet cables are mostly used in professional and commercial installations, but can also be used for future proofing home networks.

Types of conductor cables

Solid or stranded conductors are used for making Ethernet cables. There is one wire per conductor when a solid conductor is being used whereas numerous wires can be found in stranded conductors. These multiple wires are wrapped together, which creates a single conductor. Solid conductor wires are sturdy, which makes them a great choice for installing inside the walls. Stranded conductors are fragile, but they are also quite flexible.

Length of the Ethernet cables

The length of the Ethernet cables used can have an impact on the quality of the signal produced. The rates of data transfer are slow in long Ethernet cables, which can affect the network’s performance. Thus, it is essential to ensure that the cable you are using for connecting your devices should have the shortest possible length. Likewise, the shorter cables already have their connectors attached to them, but for longer cables, you need to buy the proper connectors.

Consider these factors and you will be able to buy the best Ethernet cables for your network that offer you great speed, low interference and security.