rf9000 Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 All, Buying some wire and just want to get opinions on best type: Cat6 vs Cat6 vs Cat6 shielded - I qa panning on wiring everything like TVs, POE cameras, POE blinds, touch screens, etc with Cat6. But would Cat6a be better or is Cat6a only need if runs are like 200+ ft? I see some installers one run shielded Cat6 to TV locations. What is the purpose of this? Do I need shielded anywhere? 22/4 and 22/2 for alarm: Same question, do I need shielded? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Cat6a is the way to go for network and video. This will also require the proper keystones. For touchscreens cat5e is more than enough. Same for control wires. You might be surprised by how devices still use 10/100 cards. Very rarely is there a point for shielded security wire. You may want to hire a consultant at the very least to lay this out I would personally consider fiber for video and data as well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rf9000 Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 4 minutes ago, SouthernSmarthome said: Cat6a is the way to go for network and video. This will also require the proper keystones. For touchscreens cat5e is more than enough. Same for control wires. You might be surprised by how devices still use 10/100 cards. Very rarely is there a point for shielded security wire. You may want to hire a consultant at the very least to lay this out I would personally consider fiber for video and data as well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Ok. But do the Cat6a cables use different ends then the Cat6? And if so, they still plug into a regular RJ45 jack, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollerAgent Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 2 minutes ago, rf9000 said: Ok. But do the Cat6a cables use different ends then the Cat6? And if so, they still plug into a regular RJ45 jack, right? Google is your friend. https://www.diffen.com/difference/Cat6_vs_Cat6a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rf9000 Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 6 minutes ago, LollerAgent said: Google is your friend. https://www.diffen.com/difference/Cat6_vs_Cat6a Yes, I know this, but was specifically asking because they use thicker wire and was wondering if the Rj45 ends are harder to put on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Ok. But do the Cat6a cables use different ends then the Cat6? And if so, they still plug into a regular RJ45 jack, right?Cat 6A cables need cat 6A terminations. Yes they will still plug into an RJ 45. It will take plenty of time to do this job right Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Yes, I know this, but was specifically asking because they use thicker wire and was wondering if the Rj45 ends are harder to put on?They definitely take more timeSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rf9000 Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 13 minutes ago, rf9000 said: Yes, I know this, but was specifically asking because they use thicker wire and was wondering if the Rj45 ends are harder to put on? Also, because when I look at buying the Cat6a wire it all says 23AWG, the same as Cat6, so its confusing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 The differences are typically individual wire gauge, jacket thickness and the tightness of pair twist increases each step up. With 6 there is a center spline to keep each pair in geometry. With 6a the spline twists too. With 7 the pairs are shielded as well as the overall cable. Each step up makes the cable thicker, larger bend radius, higher costs. Each step up brings higher bandwidth, IF properly terminated. Regardless they all terminate in a RJ45, the actual connector is built specific to the cable type it's going onto. Shielding keeps out exterior noise. Most typical in our applications would be for video. Another different RJ45 connector to include the shield in the termination process. As to what you should run, consultation is recommended. Shielded for a shade, not likely advantages, 5's enough. For an access point maybe, for video yes probably a good idea. The disadvantage to the wrong choice for an application; higher wiring costs in materials, bend allocation, securing the cables and extended termination costs in parts and labor. And, keep in mind, any step in improper installation by a kink, laborer stepping on it during installation, compression attaching it, tight bend, bad practice putting on the end, wrong parts; will result in lost bandwidth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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