Effects of tempreture,distance and cable quality on data ? 1

[Recce]

Good day,

I must say, I don't know much about cabling but, I was wondering if anyone can give me some hands on experience or advice about the effects that tempreture, distance and cable quality may have on data when it comes to network cabling ?

"We know nothing but, that what we know is not the truth..." - Me

 

[oldtimerbob]

Temp: You want to use the cable rated for the area,such as outdoor for outdoors,direct burial,arial,etc. Shielded for industrail areas with a lot of machinery.

Distance: Never go over 300 feet from panel to station,fiber for longer distances,etc


Quality: Get the best you can afford

Leviton has a pretty good on-line training course that will give you a lot of great information.

Good Luck

Has been in the cabling business for about twenty years and is now the Sr PM for a cabling company located in the Los Angeles area.

http://www.globusinc.net

Also a General Class Amatuer Radio Operator.

 

[Recce]

Thanks for this...
I'll have a look at Leviton

"We know nothing but, that what we know is not the truth..." - Me

 

[buitenhek]

I agree with oldtimerbob: stick with known cable manufactures.
1. Temperature - the temperature fluctuation exhibits only a small decrease in bandwidth with increase in temperature. The cable manufacturer will list the operating temps for optimal usage.
2. Distance - based on the speed of light, no kidding, the affect of distance is astronomical on bandwidth. Minimum distance (at least when I was in the know) was 18", max distance (end to end) is 328 feet (100 meter x 3.28ft/meter). Go above this and 1. you are not compliant 2. your tester will tell you that it failed the test 3. your bandwidth will decrease by some fractal amount.
3. Quality - immensely important. On a 1st grade level (my level of expertise), impurities in the copper will "bounce" or deflect the applied signal in opposite direction of flow limiting signal strength (quantity) at the end. Similar to kinking a garden hose - result is less water at the end.
You get what you pay for.

Regards
Peter Buitenhek
ProfitDeveloper.com

"Never settle for a job well done...always look for cost cutting measures

 

[Dexman]

Members of the other tech help boards I participate in tend to favor cable marketed by Superior Essex, Systimax, Mohawk, Beldin and Berk-Tek.

They tend to avoid cables sold at Home Improvement stores.

If it ain't broke, I haven't fixed it yet.

 

[mikeydidit]

I too like the Berk-Tek cables and that is all we use here. One other thing is the distance has now changed TIA/EIA/568B to 285'. This allows for a patch cable on each end making up the total run as 300'.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned that is really important is to match your components to the rating of your cables. Not saying that you have to use one brand for all your cables, patch panels, patch cables. Just make sure that they are all rated for Cat5, 5E,6, 6E what ever the cables are rated for. Then you should be able to install something solid and trouble free.

Good seeing you on here Dexman.

"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), Inaugural Address, January 20, 1953

For the best response to a question, read faq690-6594

 

[LkEErie]

The cable sold at my "Home Improvement" store is standard Coleman Cat 5e/350 Mhz. It's really expensive that way. I think a box is either 500 feet for what I pay for 1000, or it's about 20% more if it's 1000 feet. (I only buy RG-6 there in a pinch, but I price out what they're doing to make sure I'm somewhat competitive).

We are trying 5e 400 Mhz cable from that place in Springdale AR. I'll start using it tomorrow.

LkEErie

 

[buitenhek]

Great point Mickeydidit:
Is this still correct?
BICSI: Here's some clarification on the 90 meter maximum run length. This is generally cited as the maximum horizontal run length. The max length from switch to node is still 100 meters. This 100 meter length, however, includes the vertical drops and all passive links such as the patch cables from the switch to the patch panel and the patch cables from the jacks to the computers (or other types of nodes).

Regards
Peter Buitenhek
ProfitDeveloper.com

"Never settle for a job well done...always look for cost cutting measures

 

[oldtimerbob]

We normally say 300 feet is the max distance of the cable run from the back of the patch panel to the wall outlet,this will allow you some additional footage for patch cords at both ends,with the exception that neither be over 20 feet. (in practice however at around the 250 mark we all start getting nervious?)


I tend to use the 350 cable(Cat5E) when I have the choice and have found when using it,the mfg won't matter too much.Going above that means using Cat 6 is advised with Cat6 Enhanced and fiber for the 10 gig applications (although many will say to use sheilded for 10 gig stuff, I have found it maynot be necessary for most sites).

On your above list of cables, you may want to include Hitachi, General, and Commscope.

I never bother with getting anything other than the 1,000 ft boxes, but working for a cabling company we go thru more than the average 'in house' tech will and more often get our material at reduced pricing because of this fact.

Good Luck,



Has been in the cabling business for about twenty years and is now the Sr PM for a cabling company located in the Los Angeles area.

http://www.globusinc.net

Also a General Class Amatuer Radio Operator.