Shielded vs. Unshielded Cat 6/ Cat 6a Cable: Which One Is The Best For My Network?
If you are buying a cable for your computer network today, chances are that your choice would lend on either Cat 6 or Cat 6a cable. With a speed of 10 Gbps and a bandwidth of 250 MHz, Cat 6 is the standard cable for an Ethernet network in 2021/2022. Cat 6a is an augmented version of the Cat6 cable with an improved bandwidth of 500 MHz. While the recommended network length for a standard Cat6 cable is 50 meters, Cat 6a cable can effectively run for 100 meters.
Once you've settled on the subtype of the category cable, you are faced with choosing shielded vs. unshielded cable. Both Cat 6 or Cat 6a come in shielded and unshielded varieties. There is a lot of confusion online about using shielded or unshielded network cables for various applications. It turns out, an unshielded network cable is perfect for most residential tasks. Read this blog to make the right choice for your computer network.
What is a Shielded Twisted Pair Network Cable?
A shielded (STP) twisted-pair network cable is covered by a conductive shielding that protects the cable from electromagnetic interference and cross-talk.
Common types of shielding used in twisted pair cables are braid shield and foil shield. Braid shielding is made of a tinned copper braid, whereas foil shielding is made of aluminum. Foil shielding may be wrapped around each cable either individually or as an overall shield.
What is an Unshielded Twisted Pair Network Cable?
An unshielded (STP) twisted-pair network cable consists of unshielded twisted pair wires surrounded by an outer jacket typically made of PVC. It has no additional shielding that protects the cable from electromagnetic interference. However, the twisted pairs themselves protect the cable from electromagnetic interference to the point that is just enough for the majority of residential applications.
Shielded vs. Unshielded Cat6/ Cat 6a: What Should I Choose?
Unshielded cable is good enough for the majority of residential applications aside from the ones affected by electromagnetic interference. Shielded cable is perfect for locations that face a lot of electromagnetic interference, including TV stations, radio stations, power stations, medical facilities. You should also consider installing shielded cables in outdoor locations that run near active power lines. For exterior runs, always choose cables that are rated for outdoors. Finally, choose a shielded cable if it is going to run near another electrical line for a noticeable distance. If you choose to run an unshielded cable in the areas that are affected by electromagnetic interference, UTP cables may be affected by slower speed and data transmission errors.
In home and office not impacted by electromagnetic interference, UTP unshielded twisted pair cable is an option that will cover all of your needs. You may choose to install a shielded cable nonetheless, but it is not necessary. The thing is that shielded cable is more expensive, difficult to install, and less flexible. Therefore, it is often not worth the investment if there are no objective factors calling for shielding.
At Nassau National Cable, you can buy Cat6 and Cat 6a cables at some of the best prices in the industry. We sell both unshielded and unshielded variations of twisted pair cables, and our manufacturers include some of the most well-known brands in the USA, such as Commscope and Belden.
