Written by Dave Harris, trueCABLE Technical Specialist, BICSI INST1, INSTC Certified
Technology is advancing rapidly, and most people find it difficult to keep up with the advancement at such a rapid pace. As there are new Internet of Things (IoT) devices as well as newer, fancier WiFi routers to handle faster internet speeds, how has this affected the low voltage cable side of the equation?
Not as much as you’d expect, quite frankly. Although cool new gadgets are coming out all the time to make your internet faster and the lights turn on with just a few words, physical data cables have been ready for this purpose for years. Cat6A Ethernet cable has been routinely specified for new construction for the past 10 years. But even the humble Cat5e and RG6 cables still have a purpose in this modern age, depending on the evaluation of a case-by-case installation.
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Now, looking at the potential, but unexpected, future progress and progress in the next few years; We should pay attention to best practices to make sure you are prepared. It’s really about what you do, and what you want to do in the future.
But the past few years have revealed some things. I’ve revealed that your typical internet connection speed from last year and the WiFi router you bought a few years ago just won’t cut it. trueCABLE has seen a huge number of people start wiring their homes, as well as a fair number of upgrades. When you have multiple smart TVs, IoT devices like Amazon Alexa and smart lights, plus any children or relatives all trying to get into distance learning or working from home, what you thought worked great in 2019 suddenly no longer works. well. It got so bad, I even wrote about it Your network in uncertain times: Coping with COVID-19.
Since then, many things have returned to a state of reduced urgency, but the demand for network infrastructure has only increased. Monitoring and security are now run over Ethernet. Advances in video technology require networks that operate within the physical capacity of copper. Now, more and more providers are connecting homes and small businesses using optical fiber that runs at 10 Gbps or higher.
Low voltage best practices
Given all that, here are my new best practices for 2025 and beyond, until I change my mind again:
1. Stay away from Cat5e Ethernet.
…for all use cases except specific use cases. Yes, ANSI/TIA still officially lists this category as suitable for Ethernet networks up to 2.5 Gb/s. The reality is that Cat5e is nearing the end of its useful life for more advanced needs. Cat5e is useful in some situations where the end device does not and never will require up to 2.5 Gb/s (sometimes no more than 1 Gb/s), but many of these devices require PoE (Power over Ethernet). Although Cat5e supports PoE at lower electrical capacities than Cat6 or Cat6A, it was not conceived or designed to actually support it. The main advantage of Cat5e is that the installation environment sometimes requires thinner cable, such as narrow WiFi access points and IP surveillance camera housings. It’s also easy to finish. Use it when necessary; Use it wisely.
2. Move to Cat6A Ethernet.
Although Cat8 is officially recognized by ANSI/TIA, it is essentially Cat6A that supports 25G or 40G up to the very short distance of 98 feet. After that, the speed becomes 10 Gb/s just like Cat6A. Cat8 is rarely seen outside of data centers. For all practical purposes, Cat6A is likely the last practical copper twisted pair Ethernet cable ever developed, and it’s nothing short of a breakthrough that I’m not aware of. Cat6A has the advantage of supporting 10 Gbps up to 328 feet under the right conditions. It handles PoE very well, up to 90W in some cases! The only downside to Cat6A is that it’s a bit more difficult to install, but trueCABLE makes wheels to make this process easier. If your intention is to communicate at 10 Gb/s now or in the near future, you should definitely choose Cat6A Ethernet if your budget allows it.
3. Use Cat6 Ethernet for limited budgets.
Cat6 has been and continues to be a good compromise for short range 10 Gb/s. It supports 10Gb/s up to 165 feet, but more realistically 120-130 feet in low-density environments (read: sparse operations). This category supports 5Gbps speed up to 328 feet, which is more than the average Internet connection speed. Additionally, many home WiFi routers have emerged that can handle 2.5 Gb/s and 5.0 Gb/s switching connections. Cat6 also handles PoE just like Cat6A. So, Cat6 is quite adequate for now, but it’s not looking forward to the future anymore. Beware of 10 Gb/s over Cat6. High-density networks that use Cat6 to push 10 Gb/s are vulnerable to external interference problems unless a fair number of mitigation measures are taken. These mitigation measures may cost you more than if you had installed Cat6A in the first place. See When aliens attack! Avoid crosstalk over Ethernet.
4. Use Fiber optic cable For extremely high bandwidth applications.
This is especially for covering long distances. We’re talking here about 25 Gbit/s, 40 Gbit/s, and even 100 Gbit/s. These speeds are not often seen outside of data centers, but some mid-sized enterprises are adopting the technology. They will always choose fiber optic to achieve these speeds. High speed over very long distances is another reason to use optical fiber. Want to go 10Gbps up to 900 feet with a single cable? You are now in fiber optic territory! The downside, of course, is the cost. Fiber is not cheap. Installing expensive, fragile, unfinished fibers requires training, skill, and tools that can cost thousands of dollars. Alternative is used Fiber optic patch cables to your transceivers, but they will restrict your ability to customize your installation and start to get expensive over long periods. Bulk fiber optic cables It’s still not practical in the “weekend warrior” world. This is the world of professional installers who know what they are doing.
5. When installing RG6 coaxial cable, always choose solid copper.
Specifically, the center conductor cable. Solid brass is superior to CCS or copper clad steel. At one time, copper-clad steel was acceptable assuming you were using relatively low-resolution (720p or lower) cable TV programming, but coaxial cable is now being called upon to handle 2K and 4K programming in addition to carrying your Internet connection. If your system is satellite-based, you must use solid copper conductor coaxial cable for the dish itself due to the LNB’s voltage requirements. Your best bet is to avoid CCS and stick with solid copper. This is not only needed in many cases now, but it is the only way forward.
6. Select a reputable vendor for your cables and accessories.
The market is filled with low-voltage cables that do not meet industry standards, such as CCA or copper-clad aluminum.
Never use CCA for Ethernet, see Copper-clad aluminum vs. copper: the ultimate test of the Fluke Versiv DSX cable analyzer For more information. Make sure your seller offers a good warranty and is willing to educate you. TrueCABLE, for example, offers Warranty forever Against defects in materials and workmanship. Many vendors offer one year or require you to use a $12,000 Fluke Networks cable analyzer in order to achieve the warranty at all. And by the way, did you know that 80% of Ethernet patch cables on the market fail the rigorous patch cord test? Vendors must also carefully document their products, and it would also be nice if they offered extensive educational materials, but few offer what we do in ours. Cable Academy.
7. Plan your installation for success.
Gone are the days of running Ethernet patch cables through the floors or sticking them to the ceiling. While you can get away with many questionable material choices or installation practices, you should know the correct way to install low voltage cables so you don’t get yourself into trouble now or in the future. The vast majority of network problems are due to poor installation practices.
Instead of running one cable to your bedroom or office, it is better to have two or more cables. What if one operation fails, or you need higher bandwidth for your second device? Color code your installation if possible. It’s good to know which cable does the job just by looking! Label your cables. Always, always, always label your cables. On both ends! Watch out for problem areas such as electric motors and high-voltage electrical cables. You may need to choose a shielded Ethernet cable or quad-shielded RG6/11 coaxial cable in problem areas. In areas of high turbulence, you may need a metal conduit as well. See The two most important things to consider when running Ethernet and the power cable. Consult with industry experts! Yes, opening the directory or calling someone for advice may seem like an extra step, but it can save you 25 steps down the road by saving you from yourself. You may want to start with Top 5 things to consider when running an Ethernet cable.
8. Protect your installation for longevity.
It is important to protect the cable from damage during installation. Within an Ethernet cable, the spatial orientations of the conductors relative to each other must be maintained for the cable to function as intended.
Stepping on or driving through an Ethernet cable may not damage its ability to carry current, but it will reduce its ability to transfer data. Be sure to note the minimum bend radius for your cable. Use sweeping bends when setting up the channel. 25 ft. lbs is the maximum pull force that should be applied while installing solid copper Ethernet cable. If you feel a lot of resistance or a “hard stop,” stop pulling and check. Use cable lubricant when necessary. The inner cable must be kept completely away from water, before and after installation.
9. Skip WiFi completely except for any device that requires it.
WiFi has its place, but by design it will never replace hard wired networks. It simply can’t, no matter how many new WiFi 6, 7 or 8 networks there are. Don’t blame me, blame physics. The airwaves are crashing as more and more devices use WiFi signals. Sure, it seems convenient until things don’t go well.
The general rule is that if it can be wired, plug it in. WiFi is for convenience and mobility, or when there is no other option. Don’t rely on WiFi for reliability.
10. Stay up to date with the latest networking tips, tools, and tutorials.
If there is one thing on this entire list, I would emphasize this one more than others. The more you know, the better off you’ll be. our Cable Academy It’s a great starting point, but consider attending some webinars or actual training classes. Much of this is offered for free.
conclusion
So, there are my recommendations for 2025. What will 2026 bring? I have no idea, because the world is changing so quickly that predictions are no longer even remotely difficult. Connection speeds of 10 Gbps are being delivered over the new fiber networks directly to homes and small businesses. One thing is certain: this new fiber infrastructure is capable of achieving much higher speeds in the future. To take advantage of these speeds, small LANs will increasingly rely on fiber optics rather than twisted copper cables in their own facilities. No matter where we end up, I hope everyone…
Happy communication!
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