What Really is Cat6 Plenum Cable and How Does It Work?

Plenum Cables

Plenum cables are Ethernet networking electrical cables that are designed to be used in plenum spaces of buildings. This type of space is typically found between the floors of a building. Before learning about this cable, it’s important to understand what a plenum space is. And why it requires a specific type of cable to be installed in it.

The air circulation for various ventilation, cooling, and heating systems is housed in a plenum space. Because of the constant air circulation, such a space has a high oxygen content, making it highly vulnerable to fire hazards. Plenum cables are used to prevent fires from spreading throughout the space.

The cable is a special type of cable that is jacketed and fire-resistant. The fire resistance of a cable like this is rigorously tested. In the event of a fire, the jacket is usually made of Teflon so that it would not burn off with smoke and harmful fumes. As a result, this cable is best used in a plenum space.

What is Cat6 Plenum

The 6th generation twisted pair cable is the bulk cat6 plenum Cable. It is made up of eight copper conductors twisted in four pairs. And it employs all eight conductors in order to provide exceptional performance. Cat6 Plenum Cable is extensively used throughout home networks, business networks, and data centers because it is backward compatible. The cat6 cable is designed so that flame progression is limited to less than five feet. And thus, does not burn or fume like regular plastic.

Plenum Cable Types:

These cables are usually divided into different categories. That’s because “plenum ethernet cable” refers to a cable that has been jacketed with fire-retardant materials and coatings and is rated for installation in plenum space. Such cables are usually produced in the form of category 5 enhanced (Cat5e), category 6 (Cat6), and category 6 augmented cables, depending on market practice (Cat6a).

These cables are typically sold in 1000-foot lengths. A most expensive combination is a Cat6a cable, which is followed by a Cat6 cable, and finally a Cat5e cable. Due to the obvious high specifications and prominent features of a Cat6a cable, it is placed first, followed by the Cat6 cable, and finally the Cat5e cable.

Cat5e Plenum is a good choice if you’re on a tight budget and want an Ethernet cable with good specs. These plenum ethernet cables feature a twisted pair design. That is a market standard and very useful for reducing cross-talk and other electromagnetic interference.

1000ft of Cat6 Plenum Cable

The cable was designed to be used in the building’s plenum areas. Plenum areas are the parts of a building that allow air to circulate for air conditioning and heating systems. They do so by allowing return airflows or conditioned/heated air to pass through at a pressure higher than the atmospheric limit.

Because plenum spaces are vulnerable to fire, cat6 solid copper plenum cables are made of high-quality Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Their jackets are made of flame-resistant PVC and FEP insulation, which helps them deliver high-quality performance even in extreme temperatures. The PVC in Cat6 Plenum 1000ft transmits less smoke and slows the spread of fire.

The Technical Characteristics

The Cat6 Plenum 1000ft, which replaces Cat5e, offers a massive data transfer rate of 10Gbps over a distance of 55 meters. It has a 550MHz bandwidth capacity, which reduces crosstalk and EMI. These features aid in the transmission of strong signals across the network. When the cable length is increased to 328 feet or 100 meters, the data transfer rate is equal to Cat5e, i.e. 1Gbps.

When it comes to the 8 conductors, they are either made of high-quality copper or CCA (copper-clad aluminum); the former performs far better than the latter. So, if you don’t have any budget constraints, pure copper Ethernet Cables are always the better option. Temperatures ranging from 0 to 60 degrees Celsius can be used to install the Bulk Cat6 Plenum Cable.

It has a gauge range of 22AWG to 26AWG and is packaged in an easy-pull box. It can work in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius and as high as 100 degrees Celsius without breaking down. The Bulk Cat6 Plenum Cable’s thick coating prevents both near-end and alien crosstalk in your network. This same cable is also UV resistant, which helps to strengthen your signal.

Where Should Cat6 Cables Be Used?

When it comes to applications that require a cable with a plenum-rated jacket. However, you must first determine whether a structure or building employs plenum air return. To figure that out, you’ll need to look at a few things, and an expert can come to your home. And tell you what you need to know.

Nonetheless, it is recommended that additional space for plenum cables be reserved when a building is constructed. Cat6a Plenum is the cable to use if you want the best networking experience possible. Cat 6 cables are used for a variety of Ethernet connections, including 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T, and 10BASE-T, which stand for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet Gbe, and 10-Gigabit Ethernet.

Although any Ethernet cable can be used for these connections. The primary use for plenum cables is in plenum spaces, as riser cables and PVC-rated cables are not permitted. You should have a professional visual examination of your space to see if plenum cables are necessary. Also, make sure to leave space for plenum cables to be installed in new and emerging constructions.

Even though it is quick and appropriate for plenum spaces, a cat6a plenum cable is ideal for providing the ultimate connectivity experience. Cat6 plenum cables are ideal for spaces with raised floors, such as computer rooms and IT centers. When using cables in an EMI-free environment, unshielded twisted pair cables are recommended.

This reduces the risk of interference while maintaining signal quality because an additional layer of protection is not required. The extra layer of protection is required in areas where there is an EMI. Each of the four twisted pairs in STP Ethernet cables requires an outer cover or protection shield. Interferences are minimized, and signal strength is maintained.