2 Things You Need To Know About Ethernet Cables

Once upon a time, the internet used to be accessible only through wired connections. When wireless became the standard for in-home networks the popularity of ethernet began to wane. The truth is though, ethernet is still the most efficient and stable means of connecting to the internet. While wiring your home, most people tend to focus more on their audio visual needs, installing HDMI cable wall plate systems which hide the HDMI cord going from their television to their source. Some people think about their computer accessories, but often ethernet cable systems are the last thing you think of. Because ethernet cable is still the most reliable way to access the internet, here are some factors you should know when planning your home network:
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<li><strong>The higher the number, the better the speed…</strong><br>
Ethernet cables are labeled by category. Often called Cat5 or Cat6, sometimes even Cat5E and Cat6A. Don’t let these numbers confuse you too much because all they really mean is “how fast a cable do you want?” Right now the standard is Cat6A. The earliest iteration of ethernet cables was cat5, eventually, they adjusted the cable to make it more efficient and called it enhanced hence, cat5E. Generally, cat5E and cat6 can get similar speeds when it comes to a basic internet connection, but a cat6A cable is able to handle significantly higher speeds. Think of it like this, a cat5 cable can handle 100 megabits of data. A cat5E cable can handle 1000 plus megabits, and a cat6 cable bumps that up to 10 gigabits. A cat6A still maintains that 10 gigabits (because that is a lot!) but can maintain signal strength for a longer distance. </li>
<li><strong>Length is a factor…</strong><br>
As data travels across the distance of cable you have, the signal degrades. After a certain distance that degradation can hamper your speeds significantly, even prevent you from accessing the internet at all. Generally, you don’t want a cat5 or cat6 cable to extend beyond 328ft. Even then, though, the 328ft is typically just to get any signal at all. A cat6A cable can only maintain a solid 10 gigabits of speed for 164ft. If you are planning to wire your house with ethernet cables, cat6A is your best bet. Where cables that satisfy your audio visual needs can have longer runs before you suffer signal degradation, ethernet cables have a maximum length that really should be adhered to.</li>
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Whether your working on installing a wired internet connection or you’re just working on how to situate your electrical components, being aware of the kinds of cable you need to set up the most effective in-home network will make a huge difference in the quality of your experience. Making sure to look beyond just your audio visual needs and into the world of networks is always a great idea. Everyone from people in a business environment to hardcore gamers can benefit from a properly installed Ethernet network.