In the age of wireless Internet connections, the humble Ethernet Network Cables are still celebrated. The health and functionality of your ethernet cables depend on the type of cable you are using, what you are using it for and how long you have been using it. Using an ethernet wire is particularly useful when you are looking for something that’s going to offer fast, reliable, and instant connection and transfers data between two devices in a reliable fashion.
While Cat6 Ethernet Cables are some of the most popular and easily available cables in the market today, there are still a lot of options when it comes to ethernet cables. If you haven’t had much luck with ethernet cables then this guide is what you are looking for. We have helped compile a file of all the best ethernet cables and what you need to be looking for when you look for one.
What exactly is an Ethernet Cable?
If you are wondering if you even need ethernet cables at all or if you know what ethernet network cables are then we are here to tell you that ethernet cables are the medium that is used to connect two network devices. So, they transfer data and are used to connect everything from small home appliances to office equipment and big power stations.
No matter where you go, you will find that ethernet cables can be used. For the low power usage like Home appliances and internet surfing, you might even get away with an average ethernet cable like the Cat5e Ethernet Cable however for heavier power usage you will need to find something more suited like a Cat6a Ethernet Cable. To meet the needs of different usage appliances there are different kinds of cables that are used and can be used to ultimately transfer data between two devices efficiently.
CAT5 OR CAT6 Ethernet Cable:
When you shop for ethernet cables you are most likely going to come across two types of ethernet Network cables and these are either going to be the Cat5 or the Cat6 series. They are both similar in many ways in the sense that they both have a familiar construction with the conduction part of the wires twisted such that they cancel out external interference from electromagnetic objects.
This is why these cables are known to be the “Twisted pair”. With that said, the basic difference between these wires is that the Cat5 ethernet cable is a lot less efficient because they run at 100mbps. Compared to this the Cat6 ethernet cable is much more efficient sometimes even running at 10 Gbps. However, the high efficiency is not really what decides what makes your ethernet cables more suitable, it is actually why you are using them is why they are more suitable for you.
Shielded or Unshielded:
Shielded wires are the wires that are more resistant to the outside or external interference that may be caused by other wires or external sources. With a wire that is going to be placed in the internal structure of the walls, there might be a need to shield your wire so that your data can not be corrupted or the connection will not be lost however, if you are using an unshielded ethernet cable even if it is an efficient Cat6 an ethernet Cable then it is likely to be interrupted and will not do the best job at transferring data. You want to make sure that your ethernet cable is doing a good job at transferring data. For this, it is better to get a shielded wire than an unshielded one if you are not using it for a small distance.
Solid or stranded:
The solid and stranded wires both offer different kinds of advantages, the solid wire offers more durability and will probably last much longer with loss of data during transfer whereas the stranded wire offers more flexibility.
If you know that your wire will need to be moved around a lot then perhaps getting a solid wire is not the best idea. You should look for stranded wires. However, if you are looking for a wire that you can use for a longer period then a solid wire is the one for you.
Conclusion:
No matter what type of Ethernet cable you decide on, you will need to make sure that your cable is perfect for your requirements. If you are simply looking to connect two computers for the transfer of data then a crossover cable is what you need however if the usage extends to other devices, then a patch cable with Auto-MDIX technology is what you are going to be looking for. This kind of cable is much better suited to and offers more flexibility in the transfer of data.
