Ethernet cable is a mandatory need for a small business or large enterprise. Before buying, the buyer must be aware of some points about which type of ethernet cable is capable of fulfilling its network needs.
In this article, let's take a look at the Cat6 plenum and cat6 riser cable 1000ft for a better understanding of buying quality ethernet cable for upgrading your network infrastructure.
Cat6 plenum and Cat6 riser are two ethernet cables commonly used for networking purposes.
The main difference between the two lies in the materials used in their construction and their intended installation locations.
Cat6 Plenum Cable:
Cat6 plenum cable is designed for installation in plenum spaces, which are the areas above drop ceilings or below-raised floors used for air circulation in commercial buildings.
The cable has a unique insulation material that is fire-retardant and low-smoke-producing. This makes it suitable for use in buildings with strict fire safety codes.
The fire safety of plenum-rated cable is much higher due to its design with fire retardant material either low-smoke (PVC) or fluorinated ethylene polymer (FEP).
It also helps to prevent the spread of flames and smoke in case of a fire.
Pros of Cat6 Plenum Cable:
- Complies with building safety codes
- Fire-retardant and low-smoke-producing
- Suitable for installation in areas with air circulation, such as plenum spaces
- Can be used in both commercial and residential buildings
- Offers excellent data transmission speeds
Cons of Cat6 Plenum Cable
- More expensive compared to other cables
- Limited availability in some regions
- Less fire-retardant than plenum-rated cable
Cat6 Riser Cable
Cat6 riser cable 1000ft, on the other hand, is intended for installation in vertical riser shafts or between floors in commercial buildings.
This cable does not require special insulation and is less fire-retardant than plenum cable.
However, it still offers good data transmission speeds and is a popular choice for network installations in commercial buildings.
Pros of Cat6 Riser Cable
- Suitable for installation between floors or vertical riser shafts in commercial buildings
- Offers excellent data transmission speeds
- Less expensive compared to plenum cable
Cons of Cat6 Riser Cable
- Less fire-retardant
- Not suitable for installation in plenum spaces
- Limited availability in some regions
Overall, the choice between the Cat6 plenum cable and the Cat6 riser cable 1000ft depends on the specific needs of your network installation.
If you are installing the cable in an area with air circulation or stringent fire safety codes, the Cat6 plenum cable is the better choice.
If you install the cable in a commercial building between floors or vertical riser shafts, the Cat6 riser cable is a more cost-effective solution.
Cat6 Ethernet Cable Speed
Cat6 cable is verified by EIA/TIA, and RoHS compliant with other authorities and set standards. The cable is renowned for its bandwidth and high speed which is up to 550 MHz speed and up to 1000 MB/s data transfer speed and at shorter length the cable tends to deliver the 10Gbit/s speed that will enhance your network performance.
Cat6 cable is best recommended for 10Base-T, 100Base-T, 1000Base-T, and 100Base-VG LAN applications. The cable can be used at up to 100 meters and you still get the 1000 MB/s data transfer speed.
It is also used in video streaming, data centers, online gaming, and for the transmission of extensive data in the office.
How to Buy Cat6 Ethernet Cable
An important decision to make while purchasing any cable that gives satisfactory performance according to your internet speed.
If you are planning to buy ethernet cable consider these points before buying.
Cable Length
The cable length is more important for installation purposes. While upgrading your network cabling, you must know the desired length you possibly need.
The length of the cable depends on the devices you want to connect. So it's essential to know the required length for structured cabling.
Cable Type
The cat6 cable has different types which include solid core and stranded core. The cat6 solid-core cable is stiffer and best suited for a longer run, while stranded-core is flexible and used in short distances.
Cable Jacket
The cable jacket should be plenum-rated or riser-rated as needed for installation for commercial use (Plenum) or riser places. The plenum and riser cables are fire retardant and suited for installation where fire safety is a concern.
Cable Brand
The quality of ethernet cable is the main thing for choosing or buying, multiple options might be cost-efficient but might be a wrong decision for the future. An ethernet cable lifespan is around 5 years depending on conditions.
Price
Price does matter but not more than cable’s performance and efficiency.
While buying a CAT6 you must choose the right cable for your network needs but it is also essential to find a brand that has the same quality ethernet cable but at a cost-efficient price than the market.
Final Findings
In this article, we highlight the cat6 plenum cable along with its other variant cat6 riser cable, and its compatibility with applications. The pros and cons of the cable so you may understand the Cat6 plenum and Cat6 riser ethernet cable better.
The plenum cable can be used for both horizontal and vertical spaces of the buildings but the riser jacket is only suitable for indoors and at the vertical shafts of the buildings. For best results use UTP cat6 plenum cable within your office or home setup. The comprehensive study about the Cat6 ethernet cable’s jacket Plenum and Riser may help you during the installation.
