Inquiries about cable types
Inquiries about cable types
Hello everyone, good morning or evening. I have a few questions about cables. I’m planning to purchase a 30-35 meter Cat 6 flat Ethernet cable (see image). I want to know if a flat cable is suitable for general use, especially for gaming. From what I’ve read, flat cables are more susceptible to interference. Should I look for a round type instead? I prefer the flat one because it’s cheaper and comes in branded models, while round ones (like the older model) aren’t branded.
My environment has 24-34°C humidity between 80-90%, and it will be inside a roof—not outside. My internet speed is around 100Mbps/13Mb/s, and I expect upgrades to maybe reach 800Mbps at most. Thanks in advance!
I steer clear of flat cables since they don’t follow the required standards and are more likely to pick up interference. The manufacturer’s name doesn’t really matter, particularly when their product titles are misleading (UTP means unshielded twisted pair). Flat cables lack twisted pairs, internal separators, and the twisting that Cat6 defines. Most cables available on Amazon or similar platforms should work fine—focus isn’t on branding. I’d prefer round cables overall; they’re at least compliant with Cat6 requirements. Many companies exaggerate standards in their descriptions, like with Cat7, which is mainly used for marketing purposes.
You're considering whether Oxygen Free Copper or Copper Clad Aluminum cables are best for your project. The choice depends on cost and protection needs. Since you're working with rain exposure and limited sunlight, both options can work but may require different shielding measures. If you plan to use a conduit, ensure proper insulation and grounding to prevent sparks. Let me know if you need more details!
Thanks for the advice. The main distinction lies in their applications and properties. Oxygen Free Copper offers better corrosion resistance compared to pure copper, making it suitable for environments where moisture exposure is a concern. As for pricing, you're right that the difference is typically around $1, which can vary based on usage. Regarding color choice—Red or Blue—both are standard, but Red is often preferred for high-temperature applications. Keep this in mind before deciding.
There isn't a difference afaik but the top one is FTP cable (foil twisted pair) and the bottom is UTP. Unless you're running near heavy interference (I'm talking tons of electrical interference) then just stick to UTP unless the FTP is cheaper somehow.
The price difference is about 0.90 USD between top and bottom options. I think I'll pick the higher one just in case of any issues, though it probably doesn't matter much. Regarding your question about CCA cables and PoE—never running PoE on CCA can help prevent fire risk, right? Also, normal Ethernet use shouldn’t make the cable brittle unless you're using it improperly. I bought this from a different site instead of Amazon or the official store, so I'm just checking for any extra info. Thanks for your quick response!
No, unless you're using certain PoE applications the fire risk isn't a concern. However, these cables are quite fragile—they're made of thin aluminum with a very thin copper coating. They offer less resistance and can lead to other problems, like breaking easily if bent sharply.
CAT6 needs copper, so since the company claims to offer CCA CAT6, I wouldn’t rely on their offerings. It might function adequately, but I’d prefer a more established brand if performance is important. Also, they mention UTP, which stands for twisted pair in a flat cable.