Arguably, the Cat6 Shielded Plenum Cable is the most worthwhile ethernet cable. However, it is understandable when someone asks whether it is worth buying or not. The question arises from the fact that most ethernet cables nowadays come in unshielded variants and this changes the perception that shielded cables are not necessary for a flawless ethernet connection.
However, that notion itself is not necessarily true and we will see in this blog if the Cat6 Shielded Plenum Cable is worth buying.
What is Cat6 Shielded Cable?
The Cat6 Shielded Plenum cable is one of the category 6 cables with a plenum jacket and shielding around the conductors. The cable supports data transmission at speeds of up to 1 GBit/s over 100 meters with a bandwidth capacity of 550 MHz.
The cable is known for high-performance, efficient data transfer with the minimum, if no attenuation (ping), and high resistance against EMI (electromagnetic interference) and crosstalk. The shielding is particularly designed with the intention of minimizing as much EMI and external noise as possible and it does so.
The shielding either absorbs or reflects the signals from the surrounding cables that have gone haywire. In effect, the signal transmission in the Cat6 shielded cable becomes exponentially smoother and strong.
What is the Cat6 Shielded Plenum Cable?
The Cat6 shielded ‘plenum’ cable has a communications multipurpose plenum (CMP) jacket around it. This plenum or CMP jacket is made out of materials that are resistant to harsh weather, heat, and humidity. The LSZH (low smoke zero halogens) materials that it is made from are fire-resistant as well. Meaning, that they neither carry a flame nor do they allow its propagation along the cable.
Additionally, the cable, in the most unlikely scenario of catching fire, does not emit toxic smoke which is important for the cables that are designed for indoor use. This cable is used in indoor plenum spaces such as raised floors and dropped ceilings and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ducts).
However, pertinent to mention is the fact that this cable is designed for indoor use, it can however be used outdoors as well. Due to its high-performance and high-quality build, it can also withstand, effortlessly, the harsh and uncertain conditions of an outdoor environment.
Advantages of Cat6 Shielded Plenum:
In the beginning, we said that the cable is definitely worth buying and it has numerous advantages. Some of them are as follows:
- Impeccable resistance against EMI and Crosstalk.
- Excellent signal integrity.
- High-speed performance.
- Efficiency.
- Clean and strong signal relay.
- Long-lasting.
- Weatherproof.
Disadvantages of Cat6 Shielded Plenum:
Note that the Cat6 Shielded Plenum Cable also has a few disadvantages. However, that does not mean the cable is not worth buying.
- Tricky installation.
- Costs more as compared to other Cat6 cables.
Is it worth buying?
Put simply, the Cat6 shielded plenum cable has more advantages than disadvantages. And it is totally worth buying considering the features it offers to ensure a smooth and strong signal transmission in both crowded networks and long-distance transmissions.
When not to buy Cat6 Shielded Plenum Cable?
Although the cable is highly recommended for all sorts of uses, there might be some instances in which using it might not be necessary. For instance, when you are using it for a small network. And by the small network, we mean a maximum of two to three computers connected in a home LAN network.
Similarly, if you have a network that is not crowded or long-distance, you can perfectly make do with an unshielded Cat6 or Cat5e cable.
In another instance, if you are using the cable in outdoor riser or PVC-rated spaces, or indoor riser-rated spaces, you don’t necessarily need to install this cable. Since it costs more than the alternative cables which you can use in those spaces.
Other than instances such as the aforementioned, you will have to use the shielded Cat6 cable for optimum performance and reliable service.
Conclusion
Cat6 Shielded Copper Plenum Cable is an ideal solution for indoor plenum spaces where the networking cables are crowded. For such spaces/installations, buying and using the Cat6 plenum shielded cable is totally worth it. However, using it in spaces where you can use a more affordable but equally effective alternative would not be worth it.
