Difference between Ethernet cables ?

Difference between Ethernet cables?

Not all Ethernet cables are the same, so what is the difference, and how do you know which you should use? In this short guide we take a look at the technical and physical differences between the Ethernet cables available on broadband buyer.

Ethernet cables are grouped into sequentially numbered categories (e.g CAT5) based on different specifications; sometimes the category is updated with further clarification or testing standards (e.g. CAT5e, CAT6a). These categories are how we can easily know what type of cable we need for a specific application. For our IP Surveillance ( IP Camera, Access Control, BAS, Intrusion ... etc) CAT6 is recommended to install, including PoE based design. 

Manufacturers are required to adhere to the standards which makes our lives easier.

CAT Technical differences

The difference in Ethernet cable specification is not as easy to see as physical changes; so let’s look at what each category does and does not support. Below is a chart for reference when picking cable for your application based on the standards for that category.

Difference between Ethernet cables
	Length	10Mb/s	100Mb/s	1GbE	10GbE	PoE	Mhz
CAT5	100	Y	Y			Y	100
CAT5e	100	Y	Y	Y		Y	100
CAT6	100 (55 for 10GbE)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	250
CAT6a	100	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	500

You may notice that as the category number gets higher, so does the speed and Mhz of the wire. This is not a coincidence, because each category brings more stringent testing for eliminating crosstalk (XT) and adding isolation between the wires.

Category 5 cable was revised in 2001, and mostly replaced with Category 5 Enhanced (CAT5e) cable which did not change anything physically in the cable, but instead applied more stringent testing standards for crosstalk. Category 6 was revised between 2002 with Category 6 Augmented (CAT6a) in 2008 that provided testing for 500 Mhz communication (compared to CAT6 - 250 Mhz). The higher communication frequency eliminated alien crosstalk (AXT) which allows for longer range at 10 GB/s.

Physical Differences

So how does a physical cable eliminate interference and allow for faster speeds? It does it through wire twisting and isolation. Cable twisting was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1881 for use on telephone wires that were run along side power lines. He discovered that by twisting the cable every 3-4 utility poles, it reduced the interference and increased the range. Twisted pair became the basis for all Ethernet cables to eliminate interference between internal wires (XT), and external wires (AXT).

There are two main physical differences between CAT5 and CAT6 cables, the number of twists per cm in the wire, and sheath thickness.

Cable twisting length is not standardised but typically there are 1.5-2 twists per cm in CAT5(e) and 2+ twists per cm in CAT6. Within a single cable, each colored pair will also have different twist lengths based on prime numbers so that no two twists ever align. The amount of twists per pair is usually unique for each cable manufacturer.

Many CAT6 cables also include a nylon spline which helps eliminate crosstalk. Although the spline is not required in CAT5 cable, some manufacturers include it anyway. In CAT6 cable, the spline is not required either as long as the cable tests according to the standard.

The nylon spline helps reduce crosstalk in the wire, with the thicker sheath protecting against Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) and Alien Crosstalk (AXT), which both occur more often as the frequency (Mhz) increases. In this picture below, the CAT5e sheath has the thinnest sheath versus CAT6 but it also was the only one with the nylon spline.

Shielded (FTP) vs. Unshielded (UTP)

Because all Ethernet cables are twisted, manufacturers use shielding to further protect the cable from interference. For example, Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) can easily be used for cables between your computer and the wall but you will want to use Foil Shielded Cable (FTP) for areas with high interference and running cables outdoors or inside walls.

There are different ways to shield an Ethernet cable, but typically it involves putting a shield around each pair of wire in the cable. This protects the pairs from crosstalk internally. Manufacturers can further protect cables from alien crosstalk with additional cable shielding beneath the sheath. The diagram below shows the different types of Ethernet shielding and the codes used to differentiate them.

Ethernet Splitter

Ethernet Splitter

An Ethernet splitter can split a single Internet connection so that two or more computers can connect to the Internet simultaneously. It can also create additional connections for other computers on a network, which can reduce the overall amount of cabling required to setup a network. Unfortunately, Ethernet splitters cannot resolve the network collision issues that may occur if the computers connected to the splitter are using the same network resources simultaneously.

The CAT 5E Ethernet splitter allows two separate devices to share the same Ethernet cable. Ethernet splitters are generally used in pairs, with one CAT 5E splitter at the outlet and another Ethernet splitter at the patch panel. This allows for several wiring configurations to connect more devices to your network. Primus Cable offers both Ethernet splitter adapters and pigtail type Ethernet splitters.

The Ethernet Splitter for 1x VOIP + 1x PC, Pigtail Type, 10/100 BaseT 1P/2J 07 splits the signal from one CAT 5E Ethernet cable among two RJ45 connections. This Ethernet splitter is ideal for both domestic and commercial applications. We have both type 7 and type 8 Ethernet splitter adapters. By utilizing this device, two computers can share one CAT 5E Ethernet port. If the router has only one RJ45 port, then an Ethernet switch will be required to run multiple PCs off one signal at the same time.

Our phone cable is commonly used for 10Base-T and 100Base-T networking, particularly for telephone and low speed data applications. We stock both phone cable for plenum and for riser applications. If your project involves installation in plenums or air spaces, the CAT 3 Bulk Cable, Plenum CMP Solid UTP 25Pair 24AWG, 1000, White is a wise choice.

This phone cable features 25 unshielded solid copper pairs in a 24 AWG diameter cable. This phone cable is ideal for indoor voice communications applications, and is supplied on a wooden spool. This CAT 3 phone cable is also easy to install with its color striped pairs.

Primus Cable provides a wide assortment of networking and telco tools for your installation project. EZ-RJPRO™ HD Ratchet Crimp Tool is the professionals’ choice when working with CAT 5E and CAT 6 RJ45 connectors. It also works well with EZ-RJ12/RJ11 connectors. This crimping tool functions as a wire cutter, stripper, and crimping tool all in one. The ratcheted straight action crimping motion ensures a uniform crimp every cycle. Features precision cast crimping dies for superior accuracy. 

How to Connect an Ethernet Splitter

Step 1 – Insert one end of the Ethernet splitter into the primary Ethernet port of the device that is providing the network connection (such as the cable/DSL modem or Internet router).

Step 2 – Insert the Ethernet cables from the devices to be connected (such as a computer, printer, or scanner) into the Ethernet splitter. Users often connect a printer and computer to the splitter in order to minimize the frequency with which network collisions occur while sharing the connection.

Step 3 – Test the connection of the devices on the splitter to ensure that they can connect to network resources.

How to Make an Ethernet Splitter

Step 1 – Procure the following materials: a short Ethernet cable, 2 x RJ45 keystone jacks, electrical tape, super glue, and crimp tool.

Step 2 – Crimp one end of the Ethernet cable so that the wire’s ends are visible. Leave the other end of the cable in-tact.

Step 3 – Follow the directions that come with the keystone jacks to open them, then place the wires from the Ethernet cable into the jacks to split the connection. Place the white and orange wires into Pin #1, the orange wire into Pin #2, the white and green wires into Pin #3, and the green wire into Pin #6. On the second keystone jack, place the white and blue wires into Pin #1, the blue wire into Pin #2, the white and brown wires into Pin #3, and the brown wire into Pin #6.

Step 4 – Glue the jacks to each other by the sides with super glue, then snap them together.

Step 5 – Wrap electrical tape around any exposed wires and begin using the new Ethernet splitter.

This diagram works in a half duplex mode which provides communication in both directions, but only one direction at a time. Under normal operation, each port is constantly sensing any traffic through its receiving pair of wire. As long as it can sense that data is being processed, it will not start sending data. The significance of this operation is to avoid collision where two ports are sending data at the same time, and due to this phenomenon, data will be discarded. When this issue is resolved by both computers, they will start to transmit at random amount of time. The circuit employs the method known as Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Detecion (CSMA/CD) wherein it allows the devices to take turns using the signal carrier line. In this operation, the hub’s primary task is to allow each port to check the signal level of the line to determine whether someone is already using it. The device waits for a few seconds if it is in use, or it transmits otherwise.

Configure Router as Switch

How to configure router as switch?
Most likely you will ask this question if you plan to expand you home network, and you have only extra Ethernet router but not switch. At the same time you try to make use this extra router if possible without paying more on extra switch. Well… It’s pretty simple to get it done, keep on reading.

As you can see from 2 examples below, we can use second Ethernet router to expand existing wireless network or Ethernet home network, so that you can connect more computers to your network. Please note that first and second routers must be located on same network, because the second router just acts as a switch, not router anymore.

Ok. Let’s start to configure second router as switch.

1) Connect first router’s LAN port to second router’s LAN port by using a crossover cable. If one of the routers supports auto MDI/MDI-X feature, you can use either straight or crossover cable. Remember, don’t make any connection to second router’s WAN or Internet port.

2) Ok. Now assuming your first router's LAN IP is 192.168.1.1 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0, and then this will act as gateway for entire network (including the computers that connect to second router). If you would like to enable DHCP, then just enable the DHCP setting on first router and it will act as DHCP server for entire network (you don't need to enable DHCP on second router anymore). As an example, you can enable DHCP with IP range 192.168.1.2-250, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.1.1, DNS servers 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 on first router.

3) After talking about first router's configuration, proceed to log on to second router’s configuration page, then give this router an IP by configuring an IP and subnet mask under LAN setting. The IP that you configure should be located on subnet same with first router's subnet and this IP is not being used by any other device. If you have configured first router’s LAN IP and DHCP setting as shown in step 2 above, you can easily configure second router with LAN IP 192.168.1.251, 192.168.1.252 or 192.168.1.253 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0.

4) After that, don’t enable DHCP or any other settings on second router. If you have enabled DHCP or other settings, disable them. Finally SAVE all the settings. And now your have completed your mission of making second router as switch.

5) If you have computer that is configured to obtain IP automatically, connect it to other LAN port of this new "network switch", then it should be able connect to network, ping router IP and access to internet.

1000BASE-TX over CAT 6

1000BASE-TX over Category 6

TIA/EIA-854 : A Full Duplex Ethernet Physical Layer Specification for 1000Mb/s operating over Category 6 Balanced Twisted Pair Cabling (1000BASE-TX).

This document specifies a full duplex Ethernet physical layer interface for 1000Mb/s operation over a 100 meters of a Category 6 twisted pair cabling channel, referred to as 1000BASE-TX.

The purpose of this document, 1000BASE-TX, is to provide an Ethernet physical layer specification that is low complexity and can easily be implemented by many vendors. This will take advantage of the improved transmission parameters provided by Category 6 cabling.

It was believed by the members of this project that a much simpler solution for data rates of 1000Mb/s operating over a 100 meters of Category 6 UTP cabling would be a benefit to users who migrate to the higher data rates. It would eliminate the complicated requirements in the 1000BASE-T standard of canceling the effects of crosstalk and return loss, providing a solution that could operate at a much lower power level, the potential for multiple ports per chip, and could be implemented at a lower cost.  As it turned out, the ports became cheap very quickly and so no hardware vendor adopted this standard.

ANSI decided not to adopt TIA/EIA-854. The IEEE also decided not to adopt this and keep with 1000BASE-T as in IEEE802.3ab.

Since there is no application for this limit and it was not adopted by either ANSI or IEEE, it is not in the DTX CableAnalyzer.

Twisted Pair Cabling Connection Tips

Twisted Pair Cabling Connection Tips

 1. Recommend to use UY connectors for cable connection or soldering by parallel (as Picture.) Do not bent it for 90° (as Picture) to avoid any impendence not matching problem (Interference).

2. After cable connection, the cable joint point must be twisted back for same pair; the untwisted length must be less 10mm to avoid any interference.

3. After finish the joint cable, must be do “waterproof work” to avoid any oxidation after long time use, affect any picture quality.

4. Do not bend CAT 5 twisted pair during the cabling. To make angle less than 90° to avoid any impendence not matching problem. (Interference).

5. If your budget acceptable, then not use all 4 pairs for transmission. Leave one pairs as spare cable for any future added camera or help to resolve interference cable.

6. Do not put the remaining cable like a circle (as Picture) and not near any power box, transformers, motor, Fluorescent Lights. This way could avoid any interference caused.