Difference between Cat6a Plenum and Cat6a Riser Cable
A local area network in the recent past used to work perfectly with the category 5 or enhanced category 5 ethernet cables. But LAN networks now use more performance-demanding applications which call for new measures.
This calls the augmented Category 6 ethernet cable into action. It is a better version, or as its name says, an augmented version of the original category 6 cable.
Augmented Category 6 cable, also known as Cat6a, is fast, affordable, everlasting, and a robust ethernet cable. If you are also upgrading your LAN or looking to install this cable in your building. But unsure which one of its types to get, this guide is for you.
It comes in two main types: Cat6a plenum and Cat6a riser cable. These types are characterized on the basis of their outer jacket. Namely, plenum and riser. And in this blog, we will explain the difference between the Cat6a plenum 1000ft cable and the Cat6a riser 1000ft. Let’s dive in.
Bulk Cat6a Cable
Before we dive deep into the ins and outs of the Cat6a riser and Cat6a Plenum Cable, we need to explain the bulk cat6a?
Bulk Cat6a Cable is mentioned in the 6th category of ethernet cables with added performance features. It is exclusively made out of premium quality materials and features four 23 AWG twisted pair conductors made out of pure copper (also known as bare copper). The pure copper conductor is further characterized by two types: solid and stranded.
The stranded copper conductor of the Cat6a cable is made out of thin strands of copper twisted together while the solid copper conductor is made out of a single piece of metal. Solid conductors are better for long-distance signal transmission whereas the stranded ones are ideal for a short distance.
Cat6a Riser Cable
The highlight of the Cat6a riser cable is its communications multipurpose riser (CMR) jacket. Other than the jacket, this cable is the same as the other type of Cat6a cable.
Cat6a Riser 1000ft is used in indoor enclosed spaces, particularly, vertically rising spaces because the jacket is designed to prevent vertical flame propagation in a fire hazard. Although it is built to stop a fire from propagating along the cable and on your property, it can emit toxic smoke if it burns. Therefore, it is necessary to install it in enclosed spaces.
Performance: This cable can transmit data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps over a length of 100 meters and provides you with a bandwidth capacity of 750 MHz. With this speed and bandwidth, you can use it for almost all high-speed ethernet applications such as 10G ethernet, gigabit ethernet, PoE, PoE+/++, audio/video applications, etc.
Cat6a Plenum Cable
The plenum Cat6a cable offers the same performance as its riser counterpart. 10 gigabits data transfer rate, 750 MHz bandwidth, active resistance against electromagnetic interference and crosstalk, and wide compatibility with high speed ethernet applications.
The difference is in the jacket. Communications multipurpose plenum (CMP) jacket is made out of top-of-the-line LSZH materials that neither burn nor emit toxic smoke.
The Cat6a plenum cable 1000ft is designed specifically for use in indoor open spaces (plenum) such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ducts on raised floors and dropped ceilings. But because of its top-notch safety properties, it can also be used in outdoor settings. It can also be buried underground when needed.
Riser vs Plenum: What’s the Difference?
Well, what’s the difference then, you ask? There really isn’t more different than the cable jackets. But note that the jacket is one of the most important parts of an ethernet cable which determines where you can install it and in which conditions it can be used.
So, Cat6a plenum cable, being the foolproof one, these conditions do not apply to it. And except for one reason which we will discuss in the next part. Similarly, Cat6a riser cable can be installed in indoor riser-rated spaces and outdoors but not in plenum spaces.
Difference in Cost
Understandably, because of the cutting-edge features of the Cat6a plenum cable, it costs slightly more than its riser counterpart. It is also important to mention that the plenum cable can be installed in outdoor environments.
Running a riser cable is a perfect choice for outdoors if your project is restricted by a budget. And if you do not want to spend extra funds for a feature that is not particularly recommended, or discouraged, you can also use the riser outdoors.
Conclusion
Finally, the difference between the Cat6a riser and plenum cable is the jacket and the cost of both cables. The jacket dictates its uses and limitations. And the riser cable is slightly more affordable than the plenum cable.
