linix
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Since months ago, I got "obsessed" with flat network cables, and have been experimenting with them for various applications, from custom patch cables to using them for structured cabling.
I have experimented with different types and brands of cables and RJ45 plugs, with varying results, earlier attempts were learning to crimp the RJ45 plug heads, then to " break" the cat5 barrier (<100mbps) into cat5e/cat6 speeds, and then to incorporate them into using them for structured cabling, while still maintaining cat5e/cat6 speeds.
The top dark grey flat cable is not suitable for use as network cable, as it is totally untwisted, the second and third one is rated cat5e (white and grey), while the last one is rated as cat6 (white color). There is still some degree of twisted pair effect in the second to last flat cable, as seen in the "uneven" surface texture of these cables.
It is a common saying that flat network cables are not reliable at longer lengths, and many people do recommend them for only short patch cables. This is true to a certain extent, reason being firstly, they are of the multiple strand cable (unlike the usual solid core round cables used in structured cabling), secondly there is not much of a "twisted pair" (which reduces crosstalk) in flat cables. There is also one type of flat cable (the dark grey cable in my picture), which is just straight cable (totally not twisted), and unsuitable for cat5e / cat6 usage (in my testing, speeds drop to cat5 speeds for lengths above 1m)
If one had DIY and "played" around different round network cables, one may have noticed that there are 2 main types of UTP round network cables, firstly the solid core version (usually used in structured cabling) which is very stiff and not very flexible (they do cause network problems if you bend them too much or "maneuver" them around often enough).
Secondly there is also the multiple strand version, these are the ready made patch cables usually sold in shops (with proper packaging), these are not usually available as those DIY versions sold by SLT shops or those DIY sellers, reason being, they are not very common on the market in entire spools and they are more costly when compared to the solid core type (so far I had noticed only one local online DIY seller selling stranded patch cables, and explaining their advantages). Their advantage is that they are very flexible, very suitable for patch cables, very suitable for frequent "maneuvering" around. If one cares to take apart these cables, you will notice that there is lesser "twisting" of the pairs of wires when compared to the solid core versions.
The commonly available flat network cables (cat5e or cat6) are very flexible, easy to "maneuver" around. Their construction is usually of the multiple stranded version, and contrary to popular belief, they do "incorporate" twisted pair" (although not as much as their round solid core counterparts). If one cares to notice, usually they are available up to a maximum of 30m only, as their performance do "drop" at longer lengths (in my own testings). For those who have used the longer lengths of flat network cables (10-20m), will find similar "reliability" (at least for the decent quality types), when compared with the usual round network cables.
In my DIY with these flat network cables, in "suitable" lengths, they do "maintain" speeds up to the gigabit standard. In my initial experiments (on several occasions), when I connected 3 lengths of 10m cat5e together (via cat6 connecting plugs) and they still maintain a cat5e speed (hovering around 650-750mbps, using software), the speeds drop to cat5 speeds (<100mbps) when I connected the fourth 10m length.
I also experimented with crimping my own cat6 flat cables, and yes, up to 30m long (single continuous length) , they still maintain speeds up to gigabit standards (in my own testing using software, they hover around the 800-850mbps mark). These testing for cat5e speeds was done using my gigabit switch (which have different colors of led for 100mbps speeds and gigabit speeds) or using the software "Lan Speed Test" ("Speedtest" results was not used as my fiber internet plan is only a 200mbps plan).
30m of my DIY cat6 flat cable (still maintaining up to gigabit speeds), however the outcome for this particular length of cable is that it is cut into 2nos, for 2 cable runs for my structured network "project"
The advantage of DIY network cables, you can have them as long or short as you should require.
Currently, I am doing a "rework" of my entire home network, using mostly flat cat6 or cat5e cables (cat6 for RJ45 points, cat5e for RJ11 points) for structured cabling ( 12nos of flat cat5e / cat6 cables, out of a total of 16 network points), and will be replacing most of my patch cables with my DIY flat network cables.
I have experimented with different types and brands of cables and RJ45 plugs, with varying results, earlier attempts were learning to crimp the RJ45 plug heads, then to " break" the cat5 barrier (<100mbps) into cat5e/cat6 speeds, and then to incorporate them into using them for structured cabling, while still maintaining cat5e/cat6 speeds.
The top dark grey flat cable is not suitable for use as network cable, as it is totally untwisted, the second and third one is rated cat5e (white and grey), while the last one is rated as cat6 (white color). There is still some degree of twisted pair effect in the second to last flat cable, as seen in the "uneven" surface texture of these cables.
It is a common saying that flat network cables are not reliable at longer lengths, and many people do recommend them for only short patch cables. This is true to a certain extent, reason being firstly, they are of the multiple strand cable (unlike the usual solid core round cables used in structured cabling), secondly there is not much of a "twisted pair" (which reduces crosstalk) in flat cables. There is also one type of flat cable (the dark grey cable in my picture), which is just straight cable (totally not twisted), and unsuitable for cat5e / cat6 usage (in my testing, speeds drop to cat5 speeds for lengths above 1m)
If one had DIY and "played" around different round network cables, one may have noticed that there are 2 main types of UTP round network cables, firstly the solid core version (usually used in structured cabling) which is very stiff and not very flexible (they do cause network problems if you bend them too much or "maneuver" them around often enough).
Secondly there is also the multiple strand version, these are the ready made patch cables usually sold in shops (with proper packaging), these are not usually available as those DIY versions sold by SLT shops or those DIY sellers, reason being, they are not very common on the market in entire spools and they are more costly when compared to the solid core type (so far I had noticed only one local online DIY seller selling stranded patch cables, and explaining their advantages). Their advantage is that they are very flexible, very suitable for patch cables, very suitable for frequent "maneuvering" around. If one cares to take apart these cables, you will notice that there is lesser "twisting" of the pairs of wires when compared to the solid core versions.
The commonly available flat network cables (cat5e or cat6) are very flexible, easy to "maneuver" around. Their construction is usually of the multiple stranded version, and contrary to popular belief, they do "incorporate" twisted pair" (although not as much as their round solid core counterparts). If one cares to notice, usually they are available up to a maximum of 30m only, as their performance do "drop" at longer lengths (in my own testings). For those who have used the longer lengths of flat network cables (10-20m), will find similar "reliability" (at least for the decent quality types), when compared with the usual round network cables.
In my DIY with these flat network cables, in "suitable" lengths, they do "maintain" speeds up to the gigabit standard. In my initial experiments (on several occasions), when I connected 3 lengths of 10m cat5e together (via cat6 connecting plugs) and they still maintain a cat5e speed (hovering around 650-750mbps, using software), the speeds drop to cat5 speeds (<100mbps) when I connected the fourth 10m length.
I also experimented with crimping my own cat6 flat cables, and yes, up to 30m long (single continuous length) , they still maintain speeds up to gigabit standards (in my own testing using software, they hover around the 800-850mbps mark). These testing for cat5e speeds was done using my gigabit switch (which have different colors of led for 100mbps speeds and gigabit speeds) or using the software "Lan Speed Test" ("Speedtest" results was not used as my fiber internet plan is only a 200mbps plan).
30m of my DIY cat6 flat cable (still maintaining up to gigabit speeds), however the outcome for this particular length of cable is that it is cut into 2nos, for 2 cable runs for my structured network "project"
The advantage of DIY network cables, you can have them as long or short as you should require.
Currently, I am doing a "rework" of my entire home network, using mostly flat cat6 or cat5e cables (cat6 for RJ45 points, cat5e for RJ11 points) for structured cabling ( 12nos of flat cat5e / cat6 cables, out of a total of 16 network points), and will be replacing most of my patch cables with my DIY flat network cables.
