Choosing the Right Data and Telephone Cabling

 

As a cabling installer, we frequently get asked: what is the difference between all these different kinds of wires? To most people, various cables all look pretty much the same. When it comes to data cabling installation in your business, however, it’s worth knowing the differences between cables, as this will help to make sure that you make a wise investment. After all, you want to ensure that the cables you have installed are appropriate for your premises and your network requirements. Future-proofing is also high on the agenda for most businesses; technology moves on pretty fast these days and you want to make sure your network will be adequate for your needs now as well as in the future. In this article, we detangle the mystery surrounding the most commonly used data and telephone cabling in the business environment.

CW1308 Telephone Cabling

CW1308 telephone cabling is the standard cabling used to connect telephone systems and communications equipment. CW1308 cables can be used for DSL and voice and can also support ADSL when a long run of cable is used. Insulated and sheathed in PVC, these cables are economical with proven reliability, being that they are used throughout the entire telephone network.

Cat5 Cabling

Cat5 cabling is the go-to option for those on a tight budget. Many people opt for these cables over standard telephone cabling because they provide capacity for data and video as well as voice, making them more versatile and suitable for combined networks. Compared to newer data cabling standards (e.g. Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a), these are significantly less expensive. That being so, you will get nowhere near the speed and data carrying capacity offered by the newer cables, but they remain adequate for many businesses. If you opt for shielded Cat5 cables, these will usually cost around 40% more than the unshielded alternative, but will provide better protection against interference.

Cat5e Cabling

Around 15 years ago when Cat5e cables came about was when we saw the first glimpses of potential for Gigabit networks. Although, at that time, the hardware to support this potential was much less widely available than it is nowadays. Cat5e cables are designed to support Gigabit speeds up to 1000Mbps and can typically run a Gigabit network up to a distance of 328ft. The bandwidth offered with these cables is over three times greater than that of Cat5, which is what makes Gigabit Ethernet speeds possible. This is why businesses with greater network demands often opt for these cables. Cat5e cables are also more durable and offer greater protection against interference than the standard Cat5 cables.

Cat6 Cabling

Several years after the emergence of Cat5e cables, we saw the introduction of Cat6. This provided us with the ability to enjoy a 10 Gigabit network, albeit limited to a 164ft range. Beyond this distance, the speed drops to 1 Gigabit. One of the most important differences between Cat6 and Cat5e cables is that the former have a tighter twist in them, which allows each pair of wires to have two-way communication. This means that it takes less time for signals to travel from one side to the other and, consequently, we can benefit from much faster speeds with Cat6.

Cat6a Cabling

Cat6a cables have resolved the distance issue seen with Cat6. These cables can support a 10 Gigabit network up to a 328ft range. Because the wires are wound more tightly and housed in extra thick casing, these cables offer further reduction on crosstalk that previous standards.

Conclusion

The choice you make regarding your cables will largely come down to your budget and your minimum network requirements. If you have the funds and want to invest in the future, then Cat6a are clearly the best option. However, if you don’t require your cables to be laid beyond 150ft, then you can save a few quid as Cat6 will be adequate for your needs. Those on a tighter budget will want to consider older cabling standards such as Cat5e and even Cat5. If you only really need to support a voice network, then standard CW1308 telephone cabling will suffice, and this will also be much cheaper than data cabling.

If you’re looking for data or telephone cabling in Redditch, or the surrounding areas, contact Midland Networks today on 0800 849 8585. We can help you design the perfect cabling network to meet your requirements and within your budget.