Buy the Best Ethernet Cables Online
Nowadays, networks - be it office or home - have the option of Wi-Fi or Ethernet cables. When you can wirelessly use a network via a Wi-Fi connection, why would one go for cables? To answer this, Ethernet cables offer reliable performance, and are also known to be faster and have a lower latency. You can buy Ethernet cables online from brands, such as ADMI, Aironx, Aprolink, Aulten, Axel, BalRama, Belkin, iVoltaa, Terabyte, Teratech, Ptron, and much more.
Do You Need Ethernet Cables?
To understand if you need Ethernet cables, you need to understand their functionality. These network cables are used to connect computers and laptops to networks, modems and routers through a wired connection.
Sometimes, if you are connected to the Wi-Fi, but the connection is not fast enough - your downloads might be slower and the video streaming might take forever. Upon asking someone around you, say your peer, he/she would have suggested that you use the LAN cable. You would have noticed how this is dramatically faster than using a slow wireless connection. The cable transmits data through twisted pairs of wires made of copper wire or solid core wires (in case of RJ-45 connectors). Wired connections are often more stable and reliable than wireless connections. You won’t face those stutters as you would with a wireless connection. This particularly becomes a hassle when you are working on a priority project where you’d have to stay connected throughout.
Before picking an Ethernet LAN cable, you need to understand that different types of cables are used for different applications. In some cases, the signal degrades over distance. The type of cable used can affect the network speed and connectivity. So, it imperative to use the right cable for the right application. So, how do you choose the right type of cable, you ask? This depends on the network type, speed, distance and terrain.
The Types of Ethernet Cables
The Ethernet cabling categories are defined by the Electronic Industries Association and the Telecommunications Industry Association (EIA/TIA). This categorisation is based on each type of cable’s performance, network speed and bandwidth (or frequency) that it can support.
Cat 3 Cable Type
This cable supports 16 MHz bandwidth and 10 Mbps Ethernet connections. The older connections worked well with the Cat 3 cable, and now this type can be considered as archaic.
Cat 5 Cable Type
This type of cable is backwards compatible with Cat 3 applications. Also, this type can support up to 100 MHz bandwidth and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connections.
Cat 5E Cable Type
This type of cable is an enhanced version of the Cat 5 type and is commonly used. The Cat 5E prevents electromagnetic interference and can support Ethernet connections of 10/100/1000 Mbps, along with a 100 MHZ to 400 MHz bandwidth.
Cat 6 Cable Type
These cables are backward compatible with all the other cables. They have large gauge wires and work with Ethernet connections of up to 10 Gbps, along with supporting up to 250 MHz bandwidth.
To Choose the Right Ethernet Cable
First, you need to determine your connection speed. For a speed of 100 Mbps, Cat 5 or Cat 5E cable is adequate. You could consider Cat 6 cable for faster connections. Next, think of the length of the cable you’d be needing. As said earlier, with longer cables, the signal tends to degrade. Short cables offer fast and clear signal. For long distances, of about 100 m or more, you can consider Cat 6 cable. Pick a Cat 5E cable for a distance of less than 100 m. Ideally, Cat 5 cables are for distances that are below 20 m.
Where to Buy the Best Ethernet Cables From?
Buy LAN patch cables and other networking cables online on popular shopping sites. These sites feature reputed brands, such as TIZUM, Terabyte, PTron, Generix, iVoltaa, FineArts, Anweshas, Microware, FOX MICRO, Krown and much more. Keep in mind the connection speed and the length before you buy the best Ethernet cable. You can explore the best ones online right from the convenience of your home.