Network Cables - CAT5e, CAT6 and Fiber Optic Network Patch Cables, and Long length cables

Connect up your Ethernet Network with Patch Cables, for Short Connections, Long Length cables, CAT5e, CAT6, Fiber Optic cables for 10/100Mbps and Gigabit Ethernet

Tehnical Tips and Information from Calrad.
Unshielded (UTP) vs.Shielded (STP)Twisted Pair Cables
Shielded cables protect data against electromagnetic interference and radio-frequency interference (EMI/RFI). In “noisy” environments, it is recommended that STP cables be used in order to keep data in its original form.

Choosing Solid & Stranded Patch Cables
1. Use UTP Solid Cables for runs between 2 wiring closets or from the wiring closet to a wall plate. They should not be flexed, bent, or twisted repeatedly.
2. Use Stranded Patch Cables to connect workstations to the wall plate with patch panels and other equipment such as hubs. They are excellent for applications that require repeated flexing.
3. Since attenuation is higher in stranded cables than in solid conductor cables, the stranded cable runs should be minimized to reduce the chance of introducing more attenuation into the system.

Fiber Optic Cables
Fiber Styles: Fiber optic cable is offered in two basic styles:
Single-Mode and Multi-Mode. Single-Mode fiber is generally used in long distance, high-capacity voice applications like telephone transmission. Single-Mode fiber is also used in new long distance gigabit networking applications. Multi-Mode fiber is the computer industry standard for data applications, including most local area networks or LANs.

Fiber Advantages:
Fiber offers some superb advantages to copper cable. It has the ability to move massive amounts of data at very high speeds without electro-magnetic or radio frequency interference. It is compact, highly secure and maintains excellent data integrity even over great distances.

FDDI (Fiber Optic Distributed Data Interface): FDDI is the standard that establishes minimum performance characteristics for cable fiber sizes and its recommended redundant ring topology. Fiber optic cable typically comes in pairs, with one fiber for data transmission, and the other of receiving. Zipcord, or duplex cabling is common within fiber networks, and consists of two fiber strands molded together.

Construction: The heart of the fiber optic cable is the glass fiber itself. This glass strand, called the Core, is surrounded by additional glass or Cladding, shown in the illustration. The light pulses of data travel down the cable within the core, while the cladding reflects errant light waves back into the core. Fiber is described in specific diameter terms using micron measurement, such as 62.5/125. This particular cable would have a core diameter of 62.5 microns, and an overall diameter, combining core and cladding, of 125 microns.
Fiber cables can also have a Tight Buffer or a Loose Buffer. A tight buffer is a plastic coating directly on the glass itself that is break resistant. Most indoor fiber cable is tight buffered. Loose buffer construction permits expansion and contraction of the cable without damage to the optical fiber, and is ideal for outdoor applications.
Strength Members are used to increase the durability of a fiber cable. Primarily for indoor installations, they allow the cable to support itself during installations and while hanging. The Outer Jacket typically consists of either Plenum or PVC. PVC is commonly used for outdoor or external cabling, while Plenum is required for cabling through airways and walls. Outdoor cable can have additional features, such as corrugated steel armor for protection against rodents and below-ground hazards.

What cable to use and what features it should have will depend on your individual needs and the particular installation environment. What ever you require, you can be sure that CALRAD will deliver!