Before selecting ethernet cables there are some specifications that you should have before making your buying decision. We all want a fine-quality cable that can perform well and provide all other benefits.
In this blog, let’s discuss the cat6a ethernet cable and its plenum and riser variants. More importantly, let’s figure out which one to choose between the Cat6a Plenum Cable and Riser Cat6a Cable with due consideration for its important features. Be sure to read.
What is an Ethernet Cable?
You might be aware of internet cables that connect different devices at the office or at home. An ethernet cable is a networking cable that connects devices and computers to the internet.
Ethernet cables are very common in today’s era, ensuring almost everyone’s access to the internet with a great many positive impacts.
An ethernet cable also creates a local area network (LAN) which allows devices to share information with each other.
An ethernet cable can also be used to create a wireless connection by connecting it to a router like WiFi. Ethernet wired network connections support and provide faster speeds than wireless networks. These cables are made up of 4 twisted pairs (Shielded or Unshielded) according to the need for installation outside or inside the premises.
Before moving forward let us discuss in detail about Plenum and Riser, and under what circumstances we need to install a plenum or riser Cat6a ethernet cable.
About Cat6a Ethernet Cable
Cat6a is short for category 6 augmented ethernet cable. It is an advanced version of the Cat6 cable that helps in powering internet networks at home and businesses at a very high speed.
It is a high-quality cable that is an ideal choice for fast ethernet applications and is not very susceptible to EMI and crosstalk.
Cat6A Cable Speed & Applications
Cat6a riser or plenum cables are more in demand when there is a need for performance and also to install cables at very sophisticated spaces of the building where transformation of gigabit data is common. Cat6a riser and plenum have their own set of applications for installation but here let's peek a bit inside the cable features that makes it unique and also appeal to many consumers to buy it securing 10G speed.
1000ft Cat6a riser cable and Cat6a plenum cable has the same length specification and can be used for longer and shorter distances but the best thing regarding the Cat6a ethernet cable, it can deliver 10GBASE-T speed no matter the cable is for longer distances or shorter distances.
The cat6a cable shows very improved bandwidth as the conductors are 23 AWG so the maximum frequency you will get is 750MHz. Similarly, all this is because the cat6a bulk cable has Copper conductor and it gives maximum strength for sending data and other Fast Ethernet Applications.
Along with speed, cat6a networking cable can be used for fast ethernet applications that need to be operated at a high bandwidth speed which include;
10G Ethernet (10GBASE-T)
100BASE-TX
100BASE VG ANYLAN
155 ATM, 622 ATM
AES/EBU Digital Audio
NTSC/PAL Component or Composite video
AES 51
RS-422
Wideband Ethernet 1000BASE-T
PoE, PoE+/++
What are Plenum and Riser?
Before understanding 1000ft cat6a plenum cable or riser cat6a cable, let's explore more about plenum and riser and the reason for using these specific cables.
It is too easy to underestimate the complication of low-voltage ethernet cable requirements. Some of us are still unaware of the ethernet cable compliance standards and assume that any cable can work for them neglecting the (NFPA) National Fire Protection Association and (NEC) National Electric Code Standards.
Cat6a riser cable cannot be used in horizontal spaces where fire safety is a major concern but in reality, bulk ethernet cables should be in compliance with NEC and NFPA and you also should know the major difference between plenum and riser cables.
About Plenum and Plenum Cabling
Plenum is an individual space in the building that is used for air circulation, ventilation, and air conditioning. These plenum spaces are used as a channel to return air to the building (HVAC system).
Any material which is needed to be installed in plenum spaces should be plenum-rated because, in case of fire, the smoke could easily be sucked into the HVAC system and spread out through the building.
The 1000ft cat6a plenum cable uses materials such as fluorinated ethylene polymer (FEP) for jackets and is fire retardant in nature and emits non toxic smoke. The 1000ft Cat6a plenum cable is an indoor rated cable and cannot be used for outdoor installation.
The plenum cat6a cables are a must for plenum spaces; no other cable can be a substitute for plenum-rated. They have the ability to resist fire to the maximum and avoiding the CMP-rated cable can bring critical circumstances.
It is also necessary to understand that 1000ft cat6a plenum cable is a shielded variant but it's not like that as plenum is only the outer jacket rating. So if you need shielded cables look for printed text like (CMP indicated plenum, 1000ft Cat6a Plenum Cable 750MHz F/UTP or U/FTP).
About Riser and Riser Cabling
In the context of networking and cabling, a riser is a vertical pathway or space within a building used for running cables between floors or levels. This can include cable shafts, conduits, and other channels that allow cables to be routed vertically.
Riser cabling refers to the type of cable used in these vertical pathways. 1000ft cat6a Riser cables are designed to meet fire safety codes and standards for use in buildings, particularly those with multiple floors. These cables are also known as CMR (Communications Multipurpose Riser) cables and are rated for use in vertical applications.
1000ft cat6a riser cables typically have a flame-retardant outer jacket that can resist flames and prevent the spread of fire from one floor to another.
There is also a reason that plenum spaces are highly airy so you cannot use riser cables as a substitute for plenum.
Because of their fire safety ratings, riser cables are commonly used in commercial buildings, such as office buildings, schools, and hospitals, where the safety of occupants is a primary concern.
They are often used to connect networking equipment, such as servers, switches, and routers, between floors or levels of a building. Riser cat6a cable should be implanted on riser spaces for gaining optimum speed and performance along with fire safety.
When Choosing CMP or CMR Cables
CL/CM/CMG Cable: This is the term for residential-grade or general-purpose ethernet cabling. This symbolizes not being suitable for commercial use in the plenum or riser environments.
CMR Cables: Communication multipurpose riser, dictates the cable is approved for riser spaces.
CMP Cables: Communication multipurpose plenum, defines the cable that is approved for plenum spaces.
NFPA: National Fire Protection Association which generated the National electric code for cabling and safety.
NEC: National Electric Code (NFPA 70). Documentation to create a baseline for electrical safety in buildings (Residential, Commercial, Industrial)
STP or UTP Ethernet Cables
Ethernet cables are either shielded or unshielded in nature, it depends on where you install your ethernet cable, in a warehouse, factory, or in an office building.
Ethernet cable speed can be distorted and may be the reason for slow transmission by the effect of external interference either caused by heavy types of machinery or by electrical wires running along the ethernet cables.
EMI is caused by specific types of lighting, air conditioning, printers, motors, and generators.
For Cat6a cable, two types of twisted pairs of cable are available - Shielded twisted pair (STP) and unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
Shielded Twisted Pair Cat6a Cable
As mentioned earlier, the standard ethernet cable is not suitable for some environments but needs to be installed shielded ethernet cables to avoid external interference or crosstalk to provide seamless speed without any distortion.
The shielding usually comes in a foil or braid shield around the twisted pairs or the entire length of the cable and is further wrapped beneath a PVC or LSZH sheath.
STP is quite an expensive ethernet cable and its stiffer nature makes it difficult to install. Plenum cat6a cable or riser cat6a cable, plenum-rated cat6a cable is more expensive due to its high fire-resistance properties.
Any additional jacks and couplers used also be shielded hence increasing the cost of STP cables.
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable
Reversely, the UTP Cat6a cable is basically your standard cable having no additional foil shield inside the cable. The UTP cat6a cable does block the interference on its own but does not block EMI effectively.
The interference may cause low data transfer speed or distortion. The STP cable is more effective than UTP cables.
Cat6a Plenum Or Riser
Cat6a plenum cable must be under consideration when you are planning to install in HVAC areas where fire safety is a big concern and likewise, riser cat6a cable is used to be installed in vertical spaces like inside walls or elevator shafts.
While choosing which is the more suitable cable for you or for your network server catering to all the specs you might need (fire safety, speed, and higher bandwidth) you should check the cable meets industry standards.
Final Thoughts
Riser cat6a cable or plenum cat6a cable has distinguished features and is suitable for installation at their specific locations. The cable is compatible and long-lasting due to its internal design and manufacturing.
Cat6a STP is the ultimate cable for keeping outside interference away from your high-speed data transmission. Choose it with a riser jacket (riser cat6a cable), and you have the best cable on the market.
While installing ethernet cables, Location, speed, and factors that may cause external noise (EMI or crosstalk) should be considered. If you buy inexpensive cable then you might encounter major problems which may cost you more.