Installing the Cat6a plenum cable is not an easy task. Even more so if the conductor wires are made from solid copper because they tend to be stiffer than stranded wires. But how do you install the Plenum-rated Cat6a cable effortlessly and where? We shall find out in this blog. Be sure to read till the end.
Cat6a Plenum Solid Copper is the augmented category 6 cable. It is designed for use in indoor plenum spaces but because of its high-end manufacturing and durability, it is also used in riser spaces as well as outdoors. The plenum jacket of the Cat6a solid copper cable can withstand harsh weather conditions if used outdoors and in indoor runs, it neither burns nor emits toxic smoke.
What is the Cat6a Plenum Cable?
Cat6a plenum cable features 4 twisted pairs of 23 AWG solid copper conductors. These conductors are the best in the market with high bend ratios, corrosion resistance, and efficient data transfer characteristics.
Further, as mentioned, the cable is wrapped up in a communications multipurpose plenum (CMP) jacket which is designed to meet the most strict fire safety standards. You can rest assured if you use it indoors that the cable will not catch fire or carry a flame in a fire event. Even if it does catch fire, it will not emit life-threatening toxic smoke.
The conductors of the cable are twisted more tightly than the Cat6 and 5e cables which enhance the cable’s resistance against EMI and various kinds of crosstalks. The signal transmission on this cable is therefore much cleaner and more efficient.
Cat6 plenum has a data transmission speed of up to 10 GBit/s over 100 meters with a 750 MHz bandwidth capacity. It is standardized by IEEE and terminates in RJ45 connectors and keystone jacks as per the EIA/TIA T568A and T568B wiring configurations.
Where to Install Cat6a Plenum Solid Copper?
The solid copper conductors of the Cat6a plenum cable are stiffer with a lesser bend radius than the stranded conductors. This means that the cables cannot be installed indoors without a little bit of hustle. However, its plenum jacket is designed for all-weather conditions, indoors and outdoors.
Moreover, the solid conductors are better at keeping the signal integrity intact by keeping EMI and Corsstalks from interfering in the transmission. This means that they can be used for long-distance transmissions. For example, if you want to run a Cat6a cable from one building to another by directly burying it underground or otherwise, this is the ideal cable.
In a nutshell, the Cat6a Plenum Solid Bare Copper Cable can be installed indoors as well as outdoors. However, the ideal use of the cable is in long-distance transmissions which could mean either directly burying it underground or simply running it in a duct.
The solid copper conductors will ensure efficiency and better performance and the CMP jacket will protect the cable from uncertain extreme environmental conditions outdoors. Since the cable has a lesser bend radius and is stiffer than the stranded Cat6a, it is also easier to run outdoors because such installations do not comprise too much of tricky twists and turns.
How to install the Cat6a Plenum Cable?
Plan the Network: Installing the Cat6a plenum cable requires planning. Figure out the exact spaces where you are going to run it. Drawing the map of the network is strongly recommended as you brainstorm it.
Cut the Cat6a Cable: Once you have planned the network, cut the required lengths. Remember to measure it twice before yous squeeze the cutter. Because as we say, measure twice, cut once.
Run it and Terminate: Now, simply run the cable. Bury it if that is the plan. And terminate it as per the T568A or T568B wiring configurations. Once the termination is done, run tests on all connectors and jacks to make sure that they are working. If anything does not work, check whether the terminations are done properly. And if all is fine; happy networking!
Pro Tips
In theory, installing the Cat6a cable might seem easy but in practice, it is a mentally and physically demanding task. You need to plan it well and execute it perfectly to establish a flawless and functional network. Following are the pro tips you will find useful in doing so.
Buy the Cat6a plenum cable in the 1000ft easy-pull box to store it without ruining the cable and to install it without kinks and stuff.
Cut the cable two inches longer than the required length to make up for any omissions.
Terminate the cable in connectors and jacks as close to the twisted wires as possible to allow minimum interference.
Final Thoughts
In simple talk, the Cat6a plenum bare copper cable is ideally used in outdoor runs with a relatively longer transmission distance. But, it can also be used indoors due to its plenum jacket and 100% copper conductors. To install it, follow the three easy steps discussed above.
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