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Cat6 STP vs Cat6 UTP Cables: Application Comparison

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Differentiated physically by little more than a conducting shield, shielded twisted pair cables and unshielded twisted pair cables nonetheless have different advantages, disadvantages, and best applications.

Both shielded twisted pair (STP) and unshielded twisted pair (UTP) have interference canceling capacities, however the way that each one is designed to cancel the interference is different. Interference caused by power lines, radar systems or other high power electromagnetic signals, called noise, can cause an imbalance in the current flowing through the shield or conductors of the cables which interferes with the signal. STP cables have a conducting shield made of metallic foil encasing the twisted wire pairs, which blocks out electromagnetic interference, allowing it to carry data at a faster rate of speed.

However, they have several disadvantages. STP cables work by attracting interference to the shield, then running it off into a grounded cable. If the cable is improperly grounded, then its noise-canceling capabilities are severely compromised. Additionally, Cat6 STP cables are bigger than Cat6 UTP cables, and are more expensive. Finally, they are more fragile than Cat6 UTP cables, as the shield must be kept intact in order for them to work properly. The best use for STP cables are in industrial settings with high amounts of electromagnetic interference, such as a factory with large electronic equipment, where they can be properly installed and maintained.

Cat6 UTP cables are the most commonly used cables for ethernet connections, and have a number of advantages. They rely on the cancellation affect caused by the twisting of the wire pairs to handle noise, which is more than enough for most domestic uses. They are also smaller than STP cables, which makes them easier to install, particularly in bulk or in narrow spaces. They are easier to install than STPs, and do not require the presence of a grounding cable. Cat6 UTP cables are also cheaper than STP cables, and do not require as much maintenance, since they do not rely on an outer shield, and can transmit data as fast as STP cables. However, they are more prone to noise than properly installed and maintained STP cables. They are best used for domestic and office ethernet connections, and in any area where there is not a high degree of electromagnetic interference.

While both Cat6 STP and UTP cables have their pros and cons, when installed and maintained properly in a situation appropriate to their uses, both work perfectly fine.

This article comes from customcable edit released

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5 UNIQUE BENEFITS OF COAXIAL CABLE

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1. Coax Supports High Bandwidth Levels

When it comes to bandwidth, there seems to be no end to the increasing appetite of consumers. DOCSIS®3.1 provides support for up to 10 Gbps downstream and up to 1 Gbps upstream over coaxial cable. CableLabs® is conducting research to extend operating frequencies above the current 1 GHz to 1.8 or 3.0 GHz which will open the door to even higher bandwidth.

It is true that fiber theoretically has almost unlimited bandwidth, but tapping this bandwidth is much more difficult and often more expensive compared to coaxial cable implementations. Previously unknown obstacles, such as optical beat interference (OBI), could plague the rollout of fiber solutions. Coax is inherently OBI free!

2. Coax is Easy to Install

Let’s face it, coaxial cable is relatively easy to install and fiber can be a real pain. Coax can be installed using simple hand tools regardless of the cable size. There is only one conductor to deal with and it is large enough to easily see what you are doing. Fiber, on the other hand, often requires fusion splicing equipment, precise alignment, bulky splice enclosures, etc.

In the home, coaxial cable can be easily split and extended by the home owner. Currently, connected devices have RF (radio frequency) input / outputs, not optical, so higher cost media conversion is not needed. Damaged coaxial cable is easily repaired and weatherproofed without the need of fusion splicing and a splice enclosure.

3. Coax is Easy to Locate

It is often necessary to locate cable buried in the ground or behind walls. Because coaxial cable is metallic, it is easy to attach a tone generator to the shield and locate the cable. Fiber, on the other hand, is non-conductive and very difficult to locate. To avoid expensive digging and accidental damage, some fiber cables have an embedded wire to provide toning capability – but no other purpose. Coaxial cable does not require this baggage.

4. Coax Can Provide Power

Electronic devices require power to operate and coaxial cables can supply that power because they are metallic. Fiber cables, on the other hand, are non-conductive and cannot provide electrical power. Network powered modems for example can keep potentially lifesaving internet phone service working during local power outages or fire.

5. Coax is Rugged

Bad things happen and coaxial cables have superior resistance to cut through, crushing and bending. Hair thin fibers are easily broken so they must have lots of strength members, gels, yarns, armoring, and sheathing around them to resist becoming broken or micro-bent.

This article comes from pctinternational edit released

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VATC CABLE

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The vatc cable portfolio covers almost any MATV, SMATV or CATV need.

Every single layer of the vatc cable is important and has an influence on the optimal solution for customer applications.

  1. Inner Conductor: Transports the signals. Made of Cu (copper) or CCS (copper clad steel).
  2. Dielectric: Protects the conductor and keeps it concentric to the screen. Made of PEG (gas injected polyethylen). The modern gas injection and skin-foam-skin technology adds electrical durability and resistance to bending and other types of mechanical stress.
  3. First shield (foil): The first layer of the vatc cable screening. Typically made of metal tape, such as Al/Pet/Al.
  4. Second shield (braid): Serves to protect the signals from external interference. Consists of metal strands CuSn (tinned copper) or Al (aluminium) braided around the vatc cable. The number of strands and the thickness is critical for shielding effectiveness.
  5. Third shield (foil): Metal tape on triple shielded vatc cables, aiming to obtain higher screening.
  6. Jacket: Protects the vatc cable from the external environment. Made of PVC or LSZH (indoor) or PE (outdoor).

This article comes from triax edit released

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Coaxial Cable Types

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Coaxial cables are cylindrical cables composed of an inner metal conductor surrounded by a tubular insulating dielectric material, which in turn is surrounded by a protective tubular conducting shield and covered by an overall jacket. The term “coaxial” refers to the shared geometric axis of the tubular inner conductor and outer conducting shield. In contrast, a simple shielded cable is comprised of braided or spiral-wound strands within an insulating jacket.

While traditional shielded cables are used to transmit lower frequency signals, coaxial cables function as transmission lines, conducting alternating currents of radio frequency signals. With superior transmission and reception capabilities, coaxial cables are commonly used for broadband Ethernet, cable television, and commercial radio.

What Are The Different Types of Coaxial Cables?

Coaxial cables differ in design depending on their end use. Shorter cables often appear in household applications such as AV systems or personal Ethernet connections, while longer cables can connect entire radio and television networks or long-distance phones. Micro/mini cables are also frequently used in various consumer, military, aerospace, and medical devices.

Below are some of the most common coaxial cable types and the applications they support.

Hardline

Constructed using copper, silver, aluminum, or steel for the center conductor and one of these materials for a shield, these thick cables (≥ ½-inch diameter) are used for high-strength transmission in applications such as military signals or broadcasting radio between a ground-level transmitter and an antenna or aerial receiver. Hardline cables may contain a dielectric buffer such as polyethylene foam or pressurized nitrogen to prevent arcing and moisture contamination. Shield materials vary from piping to rigid or corrugated tubing.

Radiating

Also called “leaky cables,” radiating cables have a similar structure to hardline but with the addition of slots cut into the shield, tuned to specific wavelengths or radio frequencies. By allowing a pre-determined amount of “leakage” between the transmitter and the receiver, these cables can be implemented in locations where antennas are not feasible.

Twinaxial

Also known as “Twinax,” these cables share the same structure as coaxial cables but have two central conductors instead of one. They are used for high-speed, short-range signaling applications, such as network hardware with SFP+ interfaces.

Triaxial

Also known as “Triax,” these cables share the same structure as coaxial cables but have an added layer of insulation and a second conducting sheath. These cables are more expensive than standard coaxial cables but provide greater bandwidth and less interference for television production or applications exposed to interference-inducing electromagnetic forces.

Semi-Rigid

With a PTFE-supported dielectric and a shield made of a solid conductor instead of stranded wires, semi-rigid coaxial cables offer better dielectric properties for enhanced performance at high frequencies. Compared to rigid cables, however, semi-rigid lines are limited in size and frequency transmission.

Rigid Line

Rigid coaxial cables contain two copper tubes and a PTFE dielectric buffer supported at both ends of the cable as well as at various intervals throughout which prevents bends. Ranging from ⅞-inch to 8³/₁₆-inch diameters, rigid lines are much bigger than semi-rigid cables and have the power capacities to operate TV and FM frequencies with multi-channel transmission.

This article comes from conwire edit released