I am installing network sockets in every room in my house. I will have at least 1 Cat6a socket in each room running back to a nexus in one of the small bedrooms that is being used as a server room.
I will make sure that the socket locations allow the rooms to be used as normal if i decided to remove all of the kit.
I want to future proof the cabling so Cat6a is the best choice. Cat7 is difficult to use and only delivers the same as Cat6a. Cat8 has run length limitations and should only be used in datacentres for that reason. Not much stuff supports Cat8.
My Cable Selection
- Excel Catalogue Search - cat6a 500m - Overall Screening = Foil filter
- Eg : 190-196 - Excel Solid Cat6a Cable F/FTP LSOH CPR Euroclass B2ca 500m Reel Ice Blue
- Can get in White, Ice Blue, Orange
- Dont get CCA
- Eg : 190-196 - Excel Solid Cat6a Cable F/FTP LSOH CPR Euroclass B2ca 500m Reel Ice Blue
- Cat6a
- Solid Copper 23AWG (never CCA)
- Internal (LSOH / LoSmoke) or External (LPDE) cable as required.
- F/FTP or SF/FTP
- SF/FTP is better but no-one seems to make it
- You need double foil for maximum RMI shielding
- The S (Braid) is good for mechanical strength and additional cooling for PoE but can be skipped for internal wiring.
- This is better - CAT 6A F/FTP 600MHZ HDBASE-T DOUBLE SHIELDED 23 AWG ETL LSZH - BS6701 CE - 305M | eBay
All sockets and wires must be shielded to CAT6a specs otherwise it is pointless. Use what ever you want to connect into the socket (patch cables) as you wont be burying these into the wall and they can easily be upgraded later if you kit needs a faster speed.
Cable Research
I took a while to find all of this information out but I have now put it here as a reference
- Anacronyms
- LSOH = Low Smoke Zero Halogen
- LSZH = Low Smoke Zero Halogen
- LDPE = Low-density Polyethylene
- Shielded or not (always choose shielded)
- Learn About Shielded Ethernet Cables: Pros, Cons And Cost | cmple.com
- The Difference between F/UTP and U/FTP in CAT6A Cables - Pactech
- Shielded vs Unshielded Cable Explained | Tripp Lite
- Shielded vs Unshielded Ethernet Cable: Which Should You Use? | Fiber Optic Components
- Why Would You Use Shielded Ethernet Cables? | All About Ethernet
- This explains about the drain wire
- Shielded Ethernet Cables | Black Box
- Cat comparisons / General
- Cat 5e vs Cat 6 vs Cat 6a: Which Ethernet Cable Should You Choose? | Tripp Lite
- Networking: The Ultimate Guide on Ethernet | Cable Matters
- Structured Cabling Discussion: Working With CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A & Shielded Patch Panels | YouTube
- Cat 6 vs Cat 7. What is the difference | YouTube
- Cat5e, Cat6, cat6A, Cat7... Which one should you install in your house? | YouTube
- networking - S/FTP or U/FTP when wiring a house with CAT6a cabels for 10GbE? - Super User
- What Ethernet Cable to Use? Cat5E? Cat6? Cat6A? Cat7?
- What Cable Should You Buy? Plenum / Riser / Cat6 / Cat6A / CCA / Shielded | Lawrence Systems | YouTube
- What's the difference in Categories with network cables? | Kenable
- What Kind of Ethernet (Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a) Cable Should I Use?
- Cat6 / Cat6a
- Cat 7
- Cat 8
- Cable Contruction
- F/UTP, U/FTP, S/UTP, U/UTP - What Are They?
- This tell you why foil is better than braid
- What does UTP, S/UTP, FTP, STP and SFTP mean? - Universal Networks
- Excellent Pictures for easy identification
- F/UTP, U/FTP, S/UTP, U/UTP - What Are They?
- RJ45 Connectors
- Making a cable
- How to cut, make, and crimp a Cat6 Ethernet Network Cable Simple and Easy Way | YouTube
- VCE (Gen 1) 25 PACK Cat7 Shielded RJ45 Connector Cat6A Modular Plug Blue : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories
- Some good fitting instructions for a Cat6a plug.
- KS-T Plus Cat.6A (418061) Montagevideo / Installation video | YouTube
- How to Terminate Ethernet Cables | RJ-45 Wiring Scheme | cableorganizer.com
- Misc
- Is Your Ethernet Cable Faulty? Signs to Watch Out For | How To Geek
- Repair a Broken Ethernet Plug : 10 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables
- Use a zip tie to fix a network plug
- My On Site Tech Tool Bag contents and network cables. | Lawrence Systems | YouTube
- Network Technician: Whats Inside My Tool Bag | YouTube
- PoE requires cables to be solid copper. CCA or stranded cables are not allowed.
- Reaction-to-fire class according to en 13501-6 (not sure exactly what this is)
- B2ca
- Cca
- Dca
- Excel Encyclopaedia
- The Excel Encyclopaedia has been designed to be educational and impart factual content to consultants, M&E contractors, end users and installation partners and provide a thorough understanding of structured cabling and more importantly a complete insight into the Excel Structured Cabling Solution.
- Individual sections of the Encyclopaedia are available to download below. Alternatively you can read the complete Encyclopaedia online or browse a library of videos that provides a concise overview of each chapter's contents. The videos are no more than one minute each and are a great way to start your journey through the publication.
- Technical Note TN27: CPR - Eca vs Dca - Excel Networking
- Dca is a good standard of cable for putting in the wall. This is preferred over an Eca cable.
- In conclusion it could be claimed that installing an Eca class cable is really a step backwards if you cannot validate that the smoke and acid gas testing has been carried out separately. Therefore, for that additional peace of mind, it makes total sense to use a Dca cable rather than an Eca cable, if it comes without a premium.
Where to Buy
This is list of places in the UK to buy network cable and in particular Cat6a. Make sure you buy the right stuff.
- Kenable
- UK’s biggest selection of computer cables, network, audio, video & CCTV equipment | Buy Online
- A company with a wide range of networking products. The descriptions are clear and correct.
- kenable_ltd on eBay
- Excel Networking Solutions
- Excel Networking is a world-class premium performance end-to-end infrastructure solution – designed, manufactured, supported and delivered – without compromise.
- Cat6a Cable
- Look through their catalogue for the right type of cable. The information is very clear.
- All datasheets are available.
- Comms Express
- Complete network supplies specialists providing all types of business solutions, including server & data racks, network cables, & cabinets. Order online today.
- Supplies Excel products including network cable.
- The Network Store
- We supply a large range of cat 5 cable, cat 6 cable, network sockets, patch panels, cabinets and fibre optic products all at competitive prices
- Supplies Excel products including network cable.
- broadbandbuyer
- Distributors of WiFi, routers, access points, switches, cables, firewalls, VoIP, and data cabinets to small business and installers.
- Supplies Excel products including network cable.
- FruityCables
- Patch Cables from 29p. All types of Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a & Fibre Patch Cables delivered tomorrow.
- Supplies Excel products including network cable.
- Universal Networks
- Universal Networks is a network cable supplier, providing a wide range of bespoke networking systems since 1994. Find out more about our solutions here.
- This company is probably for SMEs
- Datazonedirect
- Networking and Telecommunications Products For All Job Sizes!
- Only company I found that sells External Cat6a F/FTP
- datazonedirect on eBay
- Cablenet
- Audio Visual, Voice and Data Cables and professional hardware at Cablenet.co.uk
- Connectix Ltd Group
- Cable Monkey
- Thousands of products in stock | Next day delivery or same day collection | Premium quality products at low prices for home and business
- Wide variety of products.
- Netstore Direct
- Networking equipment, cables, fibre, switches, routers, racks & cabinets in stock and available for next day delivery. Discover our fantastic prices and order online today
- Magic Patch
- Connectix Cabling Systems
- Cable Monkey