There are several different types of cable that fall under the Cat6a cabling, so it can be difficult to determine the differences between them. The types of cables are Cat6a plenum and Cat6a Riser. Although there are some key similarities between these two types of cables, including their performance ratings and applications, there are also key differences that will help you determine which type of cable you need for your next project. Continue reading to learn more about the differences between Cat6a Plenum and Riser and how they compare in various factors like performance, applications, and pricing.
What are Cat6a ethernet cables?
Cat6a is an ethernet cable of a higher grade. They provide faster speeds than Cat5e and Cat6 cables. A Cat6a cable can support up to 10 Gigabit per second data transfer rates, while a Cat6 cable can only support up to 1 Gigabit.
A Cat6a cable 1000ft features 4 twisted pair conductors made from 23 AWG pure copper. In the middle of the conductor pairs is a wire separator also known as a spline. It keeps the conductor pairs apart from one another which ensures minimum internal crosstalk.
Cat6a ethernet cables come in two varieties: plenum and riser. The main difference between plenum and riser cables is that plenum cables contain fire-retardant materials within them, so they are safe for use in areas such as above ceilings or inside walls. Meanwhile, riser cables do not have any fire-retardant materials within them, so they cannot be used in these areas. Moreover, the Cat6a riser cables are more prone to emitting toxic smoke in case of a fire hazard.
What are plenum cables?
Plenum Cat6a cable 1000ft is used in air-handling spaces, such as those found in office buildings, schools, hospitals, malls, and residential buildings. Plenum cables can be run through drop ceilings or raised floors where they connect to a patch panel on that floor.
These cables are known by their jacket which is a communications multipurpose plenum. Made from durable materials, it is everlasting and fire-resistant. You can use it indoors as well as outdoors.
Besides everything, plenum cables such as the Cat6a plenum are known for their nontoxic smoke-emitting features. Meaning, should they catch fire, they do not emit toxic fumes. And neither do they carry the flame.
Why do we need Plenum Cables?
Plenum cables provide fire-retardant properties. They are needed in buildings and other areas to keep the fire from spreading. There are three types of plenum cable: Category 6A, Category 6, and Category 5e. The difference between the three categories can be summed up in one sentence: The higher the category number, the better it will perform.
What are Riser Cables?
Riser cables are typically used for vertical runs of cable, such as from floor to floor in a building. The most significant difference between riser cables and plenum cables is that riser cables use stranded core wire rather than solid core wire. This allows them to be flexible enough for installation on an angle or around tight corners, as well as more resistant to damage from over-tightening. But riser cables with solid cores are also available on the market for specific purposes.
Why do we need Riser Cables?
Riser Cables are needed when you are running your LAN network lines between floors, in elevator shafts, and in other vertical spaces. Riser cables, particularly the Cat6a Riser are more affordable and cost-effective as compared to their plenum counterparts. In such cases, these cables are a well-suited solution.
Which cable should I use? Cat6a plenum or Riser?
When you are deciding on which one to choose between plenum and riser Cat6a ethernet cables, you need to consider a few things. For example, how will you be using it in your business or home? For indoor open spaces, you will buy Cat6a Plenum and for indoor contained ducts, you will buy the riser cable 1000ft.
For outdoors, it's best to always use the plenum cable and the direct burial Cat6a for underground purposes. But these cables can get rather expensive if your budget is limited. So in that situation, you can also use the riser.
Benefits of Using Cat6a Plenum Ethernet Cable
Cat6a Plenum Ethernet cable provides a stronger, faster, more reliable connection for your network. The benefits include:
- Higher data transmission speeds over longer distances
- Lower attenuation (less signal loss)
- More stable connections with less interference from external sources
- Safer cables as they are less flammable than traditional materials such as PVC
Difference Between Cat6a Riser and Plenum
Cat6a Riser cables are typically used for indoor runs between floors or in a building where the cable needs to go up a staircase. Cat6a Plenum cables are typically used for both indoor and outdoor runs. The CMP Cat6a cable 1000ft is ideal for indoor open spaces such as the above-dropped ceilings and below-raised floors.
Both riser and plenum cables need to meet certain fire-retardant requirements so that they do not pose a threat of causing a fire. Cat6a plenum cables have an extra insulation layer which makes them safer than Cat6a riser cables, but they also cost more. CMP cables do not emit toxic smoke which is why they are used in indoor open spaces where air circulates freely.
Cat6a Plenum vs Riser: Installation
The installation process for both types of cable is very similar: you will first run the line between your patch panel (or switch) and your computer, then pull it along your floor. For the Cat6a plenum cable, you may use the fish tape to pull it through walls if necessary. To avoid pulling too hard on any one spot, you should only hold onto the fish tape with one hand while using the other hand to pull gently on the line as needed.
Disadvantages of Using Cat6a Ethernet Cables
One of the disadvantages of using Cat6a Ethernet cables is that they may not be compatible with most home network systems. When it comes to home networks, many people are on older systems that cannot support data speeds as high as those offered by Cat6a cables. In this case, you'll need to upgrade your system before installing any new Ethernet cable wiring in your house.
Conclusion
In any case, the Cat6a plenum vs riser ethernet cable is due to the different jacket materials. And because of different materials, both Cat6a ethernet cables cost different and are run in different environments as well. We hope this article was of help and if you enjoyed it, be sure to share it.
No comments yet