When you are looking to buy an ethernet cable, what question comes to your mind? Maybe you wonder which cable would be ideal for your requirements. And if your requirements are efficiency at long-distance transmission, you would look for the exact type of cables. Meaning cables that are ideal for long-distance transmission. If you do not know which are the best ethernet cables for long distances, this article is your guide. And you are indeed in the right place because, in this guide, we will enlist the 3 best ethernet cables that you can use for long-distance transmission.
The problem with long-distance data transfer
Why can’t you just buy the 1000ft long ethernet cable near you and install it instead of looking for a specific cable? Well because normal ethernet cables are more susceptible to electromagnetic interference and external noise. This causes the cables to lose their signal integrity and data packets.
The following are the major problems with long-distance data transmission in Ethernet LAN networks.
- Higher EMI
- External Noise
- Slow Data Transmission
- Inefficiency
- Poor Signal Quality
Minimizing EMI and External Noise
So to keep the signal integrity intact and data rates at peak, ethernet cables ought to minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) and external noise.
EMI is the interference caused when multiple cables run in parallel to each other. The magnetic fields from the cables interfere with the data transmission in the other cables which causes reduced signal quality. This problem can be mitigated by twisting the conductor pairs tightly. In the category of ethernet cables, 8 conductor wires are tightly twisted in pairs. The twists in conductor pairs keep the EMI levels at a minimum and the tighter the twists, the lesser the EMI.
- Cat5e Bare Copper
Bare Copper Cat5e ethernet cable is the first option you can choose for wired data communication at long distances. This cable comes with 24 AWG bare copper conductors that are twisted tightly to keep the EMI at a minimum.
Moreover, this cable is quite affordable and easy to install so buying this is a good idea if you are on a tight budget. Although this cable has built-in features to mitigate noise and other interferences in long-distance data transfer, it is still not as good as the other options on our list.
In any case, Cat5e ethernet cables are ideal if you are looking for a cable to run in a residential network.
- Cat6 F/UTP Bare Copper Cable
The Cat6 F/UTP Bare Copper Cable is equipped with the design features to keep the signal integrity intact over long distances. It features 23 AWG conductors which are thicker than the previous Cat5e cable’s 24 AWG. These conductors are also twisted more tightly and the pairs are separated by a pair separator, also known as a spline. The spline makes the cables more resistant to internal crosstalk caused by the conductor pairs.
But the best feature of the foil-shielded Cat6 bare copper ethernet cable 1000ft is its foiled shielding. It is a metal foil wrapped around the conductor pairs that either blocks or reflects the interferences coming in or going out of the cable.
This feature truly makes the Cat6 bare copper cable one of the best for long-distance data transfer.
- Cat6a F/UTP Solid Copper Cable
The Cat6a F/UTP cable is particularly important. It is better than the previous two but not without its fair share of disadvantages. The cable is specifically designed for long-distance transmission. Its conductor pairs are even more tightly twisted as compared to the other cables. And its 23 AWG conductors are made from solid pure copper. Solid pure copper conductors are made from a single piece of metal and they are highly efficient for long-distance data transfer.
The data transfer speed of this cable is up to 10 GBit/s and it can be used for all kinds of applications including 10BASE-T, PoE, PoE+/++, etc. Foil-shielded Cat6a cables are mostly used in commercial settings where high performance and signal quality matter. But lately, these cables have become an important part of residential networks as well.
Which one should you buy?
Well, there are three main cables, as we mentioned above. Cat5e bare copper, Cat6 F/UTP Solid Copper, and Cat6a F/UTP Solid Copper. You can choose either one of these cables depending on your requirements and budget.
If you ask us, we recommend the Cat6a cable for long distances. It is a top-notch option and is well-suited for all types of settings. You can use it in residential as well as commercial buildings. But if your budget is limited, you should go for the second-best option, the Cat6.
Where to buy Ethernet Cables?
Simply look up ethernet cable near me and you will find plenty of online and physical stores to buy network cables from. For wider variety and convenience, we recommend buying 1000ft ethernet cables from an online store. You can get your purchase delivered to your doorstep and also get many benefits in costs as well.
Conclusion
Did you enjoy our blog? Do you now know which ethernet cables are the best for long distances? Are you now ready to buy the right cables for your needs? If so, feel free to share this article for knowing without sharing is no fun. And if you are still unsure, read the FAQ section below.
FAQs
Is Cat6 better for long distances?
Cat6 cable is a great option for long-distance data transmission. But be sure to get the Cat6 cables with bare copper conductors and shielding. They tend to perform better than unshielded Cat6.
What is the difference between Cat7 and Cat8?
Cat7 and Cat8 are both shielded cables and the difference between them are that Cat7 can be used for long distances but Cat8 is ideal for short lengths in data centers and server rooms.
What is the maximum throughput for Cat 6 cable?
Cat 6 cable can transmit data at up to 1 GBit/s over 100 meters. But if run the cable at only up to 50 meters, it will relay data at 10 GBit/s.
Can I use a shielded ethernet cable 1000ft for short distances?
Yes, you can and in fact, it is important to use shielded cables in short distances with too many cables running in parallel, such as in server rooms.
