Pros and Cons of using Cat6a Plenum in Commercial Networks

Installing an ethernet cable is not something people do every day. It takes time, effort, and finances to wire up a building and it must be done correctly in the first place to prevent inconveniences in the future.

Further, if you are planning to install the Cat6a plenum cable in a commercial building, it is almost mandatory to calculate everything about its installation and use. You need to be aware, before you install it, of its specifications, its advantages, disadvantages, etc.

So let’s explore in this blog, the pros, and the cons of using the Plenum Cat6a cable in commercial networks. Let’s dive right in.

What is the Cat6a Plenum Cable?

Cat6a Plenum Cable is the augmented version of the category 6 ethernet cables. It is built for speed, reliability, safety, and durability. The cable features 23 AWG wires twisted in pairs. The wires are made out of 100% pure copper conductors. It comes in two different jackets, namely, plenum and riser.

The conductor wires of the plenum cat6a cable follow the EIA/TIA 568 A and B wiring scheme and you can terminate it in any keystone jack that is compatible with 23 AWG wires.

Bulk Cat6a plenum supports 10 GBit/s data transfer speeds at 100 meters and also provides a 750 MHz bandwidth.

Cat6a Plenum Applications

Bulk Cat6a 1000ft is backward compatible with previous ethernet cable categories and can be used for all high-speed ethernet applications such as10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet, 1000BASE-T (IEEE802.3), 100VG-AnyLAN (IEEE802.12), 750 MHz Broadband Video Voice, T1, ISDN 155/ 622 Mbps ATM PoE (Power over Ethernet), and PoE+/++.

Additionally, it can also be used for indoor voice, data, video, and security networking applications in general. Overall, this cable can support almost all ethernet applications out there and this factor should be ruled out as a concern.

Cat6a Plenum Cable for Commercial Networks

All commercial networks may have unique cable requirements but have one thing in common. And that is performance. If the ethernet cable does not perform impeccably, it is not very useful for the network. In fact, a poorly performing cable can cause losses for a business.

So, this is where the Cat6a plenum comes in. It not only provides unparalleled performance but also provides much-needed fire safety. Let’s look at what more advantages or disadvantages you can expect from using this cable.

Pros:

1. Easy to install: The plenum Cat6a Cable is one of the easiest cables to install. It is flexible, thanks to its plenum-rated jacket and bare copper conductors. You can run it in tricky indoor spaces without facing much of a hurdle.

2. Ultimate Fire Hazard Safety: The plenum jacket of the bulk Cat6a 1000ft cable makes it virtually the safest ethernet cable on the market. It is made out of the highest-grade materials that are resistant to heat and do not emit toxic smoke in the unlikely scenario of a fire hazard. Moreover, the cable jacket comes with a fire-retardant coating that helps prevent the propagation of fire along the cable.

3. Cost-effective: This cable might cost a little more than any other Category6 cable, but in the long run, it is a highly cost-effective solution. You will be saving on maintenance as well as see a rise in your business operation due to its unparalleled performance.

4. Unmatched Performance: Cat6a plenum cable entertains minimum ping and it is ideal for high-speed applications. It not only provides an unmatched performance but also keeps the electromagnetic interference and crosstalk at a bare minimum to keep the signal integrity intact.

5. Bare Copper Conductor: The cable is only manufactured with bare copper conductors which is a quality assurance in itself. Moreover, the copper conductor allows the cable to be more ductile and flexible as well as everlasting. The corrosion-resistant properties of the cable make it a long-lasting solution and usually lasts between 10 to 15 years.

Cons:

1. Cost: As mentioned previously, the bulk Cat6a plenum cable costs a little more than the average category 6 cable. Even more so in outdoor runs. The cable is installed indoors and outdoors but for outdoor runs, more cost-effective alternatives with almost the same safety features are available.

2. Weight: Like its cost, the Cat6a cable can weigh a little more than its other counterparts. You will notice this disadvantage while installing the cable. Further, you will need to make sure that the ducts you are running the cable in are tightly secured to carry the weight of the Cat6a cable.

Conclusion

In short, the pros of the Cat6a plenum cable outweigh its disadvantages. It is a superior cable that can only make a commercial LAN network faster, safer, and more efficient.