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Let me tell you an exciting story about the ethernet cables. Yeah, I'm talking about the wired cables for your network setups. So far network cables continually provide benefits regarding the “Speed, Stability, Sustainability, high performance, Bandwidth for (Fast Ethernet Applications) and lag-free data transmission.

Here I am going to talk about some of the best ethernet cables that are mostly used to satisfy your network needs. Like the primary gigabit hero – the Cat5E Ethernet Cable, The unsung hero – the Cat6 Ethernet Cable, and The need for speed – the Cat6A Ethernet Cable. Read this blog to understand the need and demand for your network. 

What Is An Ethernet?

The previously suggested name for ethernet is “Alto Aloha Network” which was then revised to “Ethernet” in 1973 by Robert Metcalfe. The reason for developing the wired network cable is to transfer data at high speed according to the network. The ethernet is used as a protocol for sending and receiving bulk data information without any errors or data degradation.

Ethernet cables need to transfer data in 0 and 1 binary numbers and use network models such as LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network). Hence proved to be a more reliable and secure resource to get better network performance. 

Why To Use Ethernet Cable?

The average speed of the internet server provider is 128 Kbps to 256 Mbps in the United States. With such speed specs, you ideally want a gigabit speed or 10G speed that could be useful and make you suffer less. The buffering time seems good but not good at all every time.

For this reason, you surely need a better assistant to give you peace of mind while you are busy working at the office, at home, or streaming your favorite movies.

The best reason to use ethernet cables is their fast speed, twisted pair design that reduces the crosstalk (Data Loss), flawless networking experience, safety (Riser and Plenum), installation ease, and quite cost-effective. 

Types Of Ethernet

For networking needs, there are some types that you might need to understand which demonstrates more precisely the need for ethernet cables.

• Fast Ethernet — one of the main applications of ethernet that is used to transfer data around the network with 100 Mbps speed through twisted pair cables. A suitable example is Cat5e ethernet cable which possesses a maximum of 1000 Mbps and a minimum of 100 Mbps speed over long lengths. 
  

• Gigabit Ethernet — this type of ethernet protocol uses 1000 Mbps speed to transmit data and uses the same twisted pair design. The Cat6 network cable is more authentic to quote the example regarding the gigabit ethernet. It can also be used for 10G Ethernet standards that need to transfer 10 Gigabit speed – Cat6a Ethernet cable. 
  

• Switched Ethernet — as the name suggests this type of ethernet installs network devices — Hubs or Switches to stabilize the network transmission. The speed ranges between 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps respectively. 
  

When To Use Shielded and Unshielded Cables?

Ethernet cables are not so complicated to understand but some technical terms are necessary to answer the right installation figures of the shielded cables or unshielded cables. 

What Are Unshielded Cables?

The general ethernet cables like Cat5e cable or bulk Cat6 cable without any insulation layer within the cable jacket are known as UTP cables or Unshielded cables. Down below is the example of Cat5e unshielded cable along with Cat6 unshielded cables.

(Img of Cat5e and Cat6 Unshielded Cables)

As for the benefits, the unshielded twisted pair cable has some of the best benefits associated with the cable type.

• Installation is easy
  

• Large bending radius than STP cables
  

• Cost-effective
  

• High graded in terms of speed
  

Keeping these points in mind choose the cable for your installation needs but if you are going to have an installation in the active EMI field read the below “Shielded Cables” section.

What Are Shielded Cables?

This terminology indicates that the cable is secured with an additional insulation layer made up of Aluminum Foil or Braided Mess. The abbreviation of Shielded cable is STP (Shielded Twisted Pair), so which one to choose is the next question you might ask.

When selecting the network cable, the first consideration is the speed you need, then the location (Stationary or Complex), and environment, and then decide the category cable – Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a shielded cables.

(Img Of Cat6a Shielded Cable and Cat6 shielded cable)

The shielded cable can be used in the complex wiring infrastructure of the building — complex wiring means there are already installed power lines or other network cables making a cluster of cables. Let’s point down the positive points of Shielded cables.

• Foil/Braided Shielded
  

• Reduce EMI or RFI
  

• Provide noise-free data integrity
  

• Can be used for longer runs
  

• Avoid overlapping of nearby signals
  

• Mostly for commercial or industrial use
  

  
  

These are brief explanations of unshielded and shielded cables. Many buyers see the price variance between these two cable types ignoring the need, the safety point, and the data interference.

Pro Tip: When choosing the STP or UTP cables consider the installation location of the building and the speed you want to avoid buying the wrong network cable

Ethernet cable is not a mysterious figure but a mostly used tool for wiring needs within residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The above information regarding the ethernet cable is for identifying the types and the difference between shielded cable and unshielded cable. 

Final Thought

For Fast Ethernet (100BASE-T) or to cater to low-speed specs you can use Cat5e unshielded cable or Cat5e shielded cable according to the choice. For Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) Cat6 ethernet cable is more than enough in shielded and unshielded variants. Last but not least, Cat6a also caters to 10GBASE-T (10 Gigabit Ethernet) for fast data transmission.

The wired cables having twisted pairs are only for delivering the accurate speed and to lessen the data degradation. I hope this blog provides you with valuable information regarding ethernet cables and when to use shielded and unshielded cables.