Category: Cabling

Are you thinking of setting up an ethernet connection in your home or business? Ethernet network cables can have many advantages over wi-fi. They may not be as convenient as wi-fi for connecting mobile devices, but they could have many benefits when it comes to fixed devices like PCs, smart TVs, and games consoles. Here are just a few ways in which ethernet cables could make your life easier.

Faster Connection

Ethernet can be a much faster option than wi-fi. Some new ethernet cables are capable of reaching data transfer rates of up to 10Gpbs. Fiber optic cabling, in particular, can be very speedy.

This could be useful if you regularly download large files such as movies or software. With faster internet speeds, you’ll no longer have to longingly watch the progress bar when downloading and webpages and video may load faster.

Less Latency

‘Latency’ is a scientific name for the delay that occurs as information is sent over the internet. Ethernet connections generally have a shorter delay than wi-fi connections – which can be beneficial in certain situations.

If you’re an avid gamer, less latency could mean that you’re no longer lagging behind other players and are therefore able to react more quickly. Meanwhile, if you’re a company that does a lot of video calls with clients, less latency could allow you to have more flowing conversations without having to wait for the information to catch up. All in all, installing an ethernet cable could enable interactions to be online to feel much more immediate.

Less Interference

An ethernet cable can provide a much steadier and more stable connection. Wi-fi connections can be much more easily affected by interference, causing the signal to fluctuate – everything from radios to baby monitors to Bluetooth devices can interfere with a wi-fi signal.

If you’re sick of the temperamental wi-fi signal, it could be time to switch to an ethernet connection. While ethernet network cables aren’t entirely free of interference, you’re likely to have much fewer connection problems. Fiber optic cabling is particularly renowned for this – if you’re sick of having the internet cut out midway through video calls or being thrown out of games because of a loss of connection, fiber optic cable installation could be what you need to end the frustration.

Better Security

Wi-fi connections can also pose a security risk. A hacker may be able to access private information by merely hacking your wi-fi code and accessing data on your local network. This isn’t a risk with an ethernet cable as all the information is transmitted via a cable – a firewall may still be needed, but otherwise, hackers are unlikely to get through.

Security could be an essential issue if you’re a business. Installing an ethernet cable with the help of network cabling services could help to protect your company’s data and ward off cybercriminals.

Also Read: Why Is Structured Cabling Important For An Organization?

Fewer Health Concerns

Although there is little scientific proof to suggest that wi-fi exposure can cause any health problems, it is still a concern to some people. There are fears that radio waves emitted by wireless routers could be a cause of cancer. Whether you firmly believe this or want to be extra safe, switching to an ethernet connection could eliminate any health concerns as all information is sent through a cable and not through the air.

Greater Energy-Efficiency

Another unexpected way in which ethernet could benefit you is by lowering your energy usage. A wi-fi router consumes a lot of electricity compared to an ethernet cable. Not only that, but it can put more strain on the devices it’s connected, causing them to drain more power.

To help you save money on your bills and to lower carbon footprint, adopting an ethernet cable could be a small step.

Less Battery Drain on Portable Devices

It is possible to plug an ethernet cable into portable devices such as laptops, mobile phones, and tablets – and it could have its advantages. An ethernet cable could cause much less drain on your devices’ batteries. This could be useful if you need to use your laptop on low battery and don’t have your charger handy.

A Useful Backup

Of course, you could always enjoy the benefit of having two connections – a wi-fi connection and an ethernet connection. Your ethernet connection could serve as a backup option for portable devices if your wi-fi fails. Similarly, your wi-fi could serve as a backup for if your ethernet connection fails. This way, you’re always connected. This could be useful for businesses – downtime without internet could be costly given that so much work is reliant on the internet.

Easier Troubleshooting

When wireless routers fail, it’s often much harder to get to the source of the issue. Troubleshooting tools are often useless, and your only option may be to call out a technician.
Diagnosing faults with an ethernet cable is by contrast much easier. This makes it much easier to fix issues quickly.

Easier Set Up

Ethernet network cables can also be much easier to set up. While you may still need the help of network cabling services, there’s less likely to installation issues as can sometimes occur when setting up wi-fi.

At Phase One Cabling, we’re able to manage all kinds of ethernet set up jobs from fiber optic cable installation for homes to high-performance gigabit Cat7 installation for businesses. To get a quote, don’t hesitate to call us here at +1 516-402-3119 or fill in our feedback form here.

 

When buying various cables and wires needed for our electronics, it can be easy to assume that all of them are the same. After all, they look quite identical, right? Well, in most cases, that isn’t the case.

That’s especially the case when it comes to ethernet cables. Even though these network cables look pretty similar and, in most cases, also have the same ends, it’s still essential that you buy the right kind of one for your needs.

Thankfully, though, it shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out which kind of ethernet cable you need to buy. These are regularly split up into numbered categories depending on their purpose or application. All manufacturers who produce ethernet cables are legally obliged to mark them with the correct group so that there is never any confusion as to which kind you are purchasing.

Is it time you bought a new ethernet cable? You may choose from one of these main categories.

Cat-5 Ethernet Cables

You will often find that Cat-5 ethernet cables are regularly used for 100Base-T and 1000Base-T networks. This is mostly down to the fact that they can allow for data of 100 Mbps and even slightly more. These days, it is now the standard version of ethernet cables after having replaced the now-dated Cat-3 cable.

Cat-5e Ethernet Cables

The Cat-5e is a cable that is recognized by the TIA/EIA. It has a slightly higher frequency than the Cat-5, so you will find that it can allow for up to 125 Mbps.

Cat-6 Ethernet Cables

Another cable that is defined by the TIA/EIA is the Cat-6. This ethernet cable performs a lot better than both the Cat-5 and Cat-5e as it can support up to 10 Gbps.

Cat-6a Ethernet Cables

For an even better performance from your network cable, you might want to choose a Cat-6a. These cables support up to twice the maximum bandwidth, so you will find that they can maintain high transmissions over very long lengths of cable.

Now that you understand the basics between the different categories, you will need to know which is the best for your particular purpose. Here are some factors that you can use when trying to decide.

Physical Factors

One thing that will influence your decision is the physical differences between the various ethernet cables that are available.

Cable Lengths

Generally speaking, the longer the cable is then, the slower the transmission speeds will be. However, if you are buying an ethernet for personal use in your home, then this shouldn’t bother you. Most ethernets that are purchased for personal use only go up to 100 meters, so you shouldn’t experience too much of a dip in transmission speeds. If you are buying for professional use and need to invest in a long cable, then this is something that you will need to take into consideration. If you do need a long cable around 100 meters, then you will be better off going with a Cat-6a network cable as this will be able to give you speeds of up to 10 Gbps. This is certainly impressive when you compare it to the Cat-5 which would only provide you with 100 Mbps.

Also Read: Why Is Structured Cabling Important For An Organization?

Twists In The Cable

Each ethernet cable will have different twists in them. Some cables have more twists in them per centimeter in the wire. Even though the number of twists isn’t standardized, the majority of network cables will feature 1.5 or 2 twists every centimeter. Cat-6 and Cat-6a cables will have more twists per centimeter than the Cat-5 and Cat-5e network cables. The main reason for this twisting of the inner wires is so that the currents can be balanced. This means that the current going down one wire will be going in one direction while the other wire will be taking the current in the other direction. This helps to transmit data over long lengths of cables.

Shielding Vs. Unshielded

You will also notice that some fiber optic cabling features a shielding around the wires, while some are entirely unshielded. This provides the cable with some physical protection, but it also helps to eliminate any crosstalk between the twisted cables. If you want an ethernet cable to use inside your home, then an unshielded one should work just fine. That’s because there is no chance of any interference. However, if you are going to run the cable outside or in an area where you expect some high interference, then it will prove to be a lot better if you run an ethernet that has some shielding.

Solid Vs. Stranded

When we talk about reliable and stranded ethernet cables, it’s the copper conductor that we are talking about. If you choose a reliable cable, then this means that there will be a single piece of copper in the conductor. However, a stranded ethernet cable will have a series of copper cables twisted together. A stranded cable will be very flexible and is perfect for use at a desk and in the home if you will need to move the cable often. If you are going to install your new ethernet cable in a permanent spot, then it could be better off going for a reliable cable as it will be a lot less flexible. These are also very durable cables, so they are perfect for placing outside as well.

As you can see, there is quite a lot to think about when you are choosing a new ethernet cable. If you are ever unsure, though, head over to the Phase One Cabling for more info, if you want to speak to one of their friendly team, then you can reach out to them by giving them a quick call or by filling out the contact form on their site.

It’s essential that you buy the right kind of ethernet for your purpose, as it will make a difference. So get in touch with professionals who can help you with your choice today!

First of all, what is structured cabling? For those who aren’t tech-savvy, it can be defined as a type of performance infrastructure that supports a business cabling system or network and is key to a business’s success. Supporting multiple hardware and telecommunication devices, there can be different types of cables used.

From fiber optic cables (used for long distance and high-performance data telecommunications and networking) to Ethernet network cables (often used in wired networks to connect devices – for example, a PC), when you want to implement network cabling into your business, finding a reputable network cabling service is essential.

Unfortunately, organized mess simply isn’t a thing (as much as sometimes you profess that it is). It is easy to forget to untangle wires from time to time. But this disorganization could be the difference between business success and business failure.

Why you might ask? Well, in the modern day, ensuring that there is constant high-speed and high-performance communication is important – especially when you are running a business that operates globally and needs a network that can connect you to long-distance clients or customers.

“Digitalization of the economy without a sufficient network infrastructure is like a railway without tracks.” According to Andreas Russeler, Chief Marketing Office for the cabling specialist, R&M AG with the developments in technology, it is essential to keep up to date with your network infrastructure, ensuring that it is reliable whenever you need to use it.

According to Internet World Statistics, 56.1% of people worldwide use the internet. Therefore, it is imperative that you use a network cabling service and products that you trust and will benefit your business in the present and in the future. You don’t want to be behind with your technology and telecommunication, so maybe it’s time to upgrade.

Cat 5 cables are the most commonly used network cables in the workplace and at home. Transferring data at 10mbps and 100mbps speeds, the Ethernet cables provide a secure, reliable and high-speed connection. They are frequently used to connect routers and computers and are designed for quick installation.

The most up to date cable on offer is the Cat 7 cable, which is not only long in length, allowing you to position them how you want to, but also allow for up to 10 GB/s (gigabytes per second) speeds. It also has shielding, covering its twisted pairs which have the benefit of improving noise resistance.

Fiber optic cables are often a popular choice in comparison to the more traditional copper cable (depending what the purpose of the cables are of course), as it allows for higher capacity – from the standard 10 GBPS to 100 GBPS. Less susceptible to interference, it allows the electricity to travel longer distances without the need for signal boosters – which can be costly.
When searching for a networking cabling company, it is important to ensure that they fit your workplace with networking, cabling that is suitable for the office and purpose. Specialized in the field with years of expertise, they should have the most up-to-date technology and guarantee a reliable network cable solution.

What Are the Top Benefits of Structured Cabling?

A More Efficient Way of Working

It may feel as though you are spending forever untangling wires at your workplace. With structured cabling, this worry will disappear. Organizing your wires, it ensures that each cable is plugged into the correct port.

An organized cabling system is essential in any office environment. When there are several different devices that are being used at the same time, a more straightforward and structured cabling system is the way to go.

A Greater Degree of Flexibility

When you are moving office space or are simply re-organizing your workspace, structured cabling ensures that you aren’t disorganized. This also decreases the chance of human error (less chance of wires being pulled out and put in the incorrect port) and wires from getting in the way of your working day.

Less Downtime

When your network cables are tangled, it can result in connectivity issues and therefore decreased productivity in the workplace. Structured cabling is an organized way of ensuring your network is kept up and running – as well as making sure that any issues that occur are solved quickly (the IT professional can identify which cable/system needs to be fixed).

A Safer Workplace

Leaving cables in a heap on the floor or tangled in the system is incredibly dangerous for staff. According to the Health and Safety Executive, on average, across the pound, 31% of workplace slips and trips happen because of poor cabling. Disorganized cabling also increases the chance of electrical shocks and are an undeniable fire hazard – structured cabling is the solution for this.

Good for the Future

When it comes to updating your systems, structured cabling will assist in the transition. In the modern age, telecommunication technology is forever evolving, so if you want to stay up to date with your competitors, it is essential your network cables can be swapped out easily if need be.

Network cables are also frequently upgraded, offering greater speeds and higher performance. Through a more organized system, thus upgrading can be done more efficiently.

For a business phone system, structured cabling has the benefit of decreasing the pressure that’s on businesses to provide quick transactions, instant phone conversations, and resource management. No-one seems to have patience nowadays. Therefore, to have network cabling that’s reliable and can work at fast speeds is a commodity to any organization that needs constant communication with the public.

The benefits of structured cabling for business are clear. No matter what sector your business is in or whether it is a startup or an established business, you want to ensure that your systems are kept up and running without any unnecessary downtime, that your staff are kept safe when they are in the workplace and that if you want to upgrade to more up-to-date technology, you can do it safely quickly and efficiently.