Ethernet Cables

Choosing Ethernet cable is mostly about the category, the jacket and the length. Adepta Technologies lists A.D.P Cat6 LAN cable in Kenya, sold per metre for indoor and outdoor runs, or by the 305m box for installers and larger jobs.

Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a compared

What to look for

• 100m limit: 100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-T specify a maximum of 100 metres. Cat6 channels allow 90m of solid cable plus up to 10m of patch cords.
• Indoor or outdoor: standard indoor cable uses a PVC jacket with no UV protection. Outdoor-rated cable uses a UV-resistant jacket, commonly polyethylene (PE) or UV-stabilised PVC.
• UTP: the ADP Cat6 cables listed here are described as unshielded twisted pair, suitable for most buildings.
• Solid cable versus patch cord: solid cable runs inside walls and terminates on sockets or patch panels. Stranded patch cords suit short flexible connections.
• PoE: Power over Ethernet works over Category 5 or better cable, so Cat6 suits IP cameras and access points.
• Per metre or box: buy by the metre for small jobs. The 305m box is more economical for large installations.

In this collection

• A.D.P Cat 6 Indoor Ethernet Cable (per metre): UTP, listed up to 1Gbps and 250MHz, for homes and offices.
• A.D.P Cat 6 Indoor Ethernet Cable 305M: the full box, listed for 10 boxes and above.
• A.D.P Cat 6 Outdoor Ethernet Cable (per metre): weatherproof, UV-resistant jacket for cameras and remote devices.

Typical uses in Kenya

Use Ethernet cable for office LANs, CCTV and IP camera links, access point backhaul and home networks. Connect it to network switches or terminate it in a data cabinet. Connectors and crimpers are in networking tools and equipment.

Terminating and testing

Use the same wiring standard (T568A or T568B) at both ends, keep untwisted length at the connector to a minimum and test every run with a cable tester. Solid cable should terminate on keystone sockets or patch panels; stranded patch cords connect equipment to the wall socket.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cat6 worth it over Cat5e?

For new installations, usually yes, as the extra cost is small and Cat6 gives more bandwidth headroom.

How long can an Ethernet cable be?

Up to 100m for standard twisted-pair Ethernet, including patch cords at each end.

Can I run indoor cable outside?

It is not recommended. Indoor PVC jackets have no UV protection and can degrade in sunlight.

Order from Adepta Technologies for delivery in Nairobi and across Kenya.