Solid or stranded UTP CAT5 cables. Questions and answers |
Question
We are running additional UTP cables
in tight places and through tight
angles.
1) Which is better - solid or
stranded Cat 5 UTP cabling?
2) Is it bad to mix cable types?
Answer
1)
the advantages of solid conductors
are that they are:
- less costly
- require less complex termination.
- less attenuation
Disadvantages are:
- less flexible than stranded
conductors
- shorter flex life than stranded
conductors
In this case we would try using solid
conductor cables as the first choice.
Before installation, check that you
will not exceed the minimum bend
radius and maximum pulling tension
when running it through tight places.
You will find these parameters in a
cable data sheet from the cable
manufacturer.
General rule is 4 times the cable
diameter for 4-pair cable.
TIA/EIA-568A recommends a 1 -inch
radius. Max. pulling tension is about
10-11 kg.
If your solid cable is not
appropriate for your tight places,
check minimim radius and max. pulling
tension for stranded cable. Be sure
that stranded cable is
Cat5-compliant.
2) It's nothing bad in mixing cables
as soon as all operating requirements
(cat5 compliancy, bend radii etc.)
are met. The only disadvantage is
that you have to remember what link
uses what type of cable and when you
are going to buy some termination
hardware, you will have to check if
this hardware supports termination of
stranded conductors.
To determine what type of cable you
already have, check the points where
cable terminates (at outlet or
cross-connects). If cable conductor
consist of many small-gauge wires
twisted together, then it is the
stranded cable.
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