subject: Ethernet Cable - Getting The Best Speed [print this page] When it comes to internet connectivity, speed matters tremendously. Those of us who recall a time when dial up connections were the norm rather than the exception look back on those days and shudder as our connection speeds keep climbing regularly. Today's internet is lighting fast, but there are various factors that can slow down even the best connection. You may be paying your ISP big bucks for a connection speed but are only getting half the speed you should be, for instance. A number of factors can influence your speed, one of which is your Ethernet cable. Here's a look at how it does so.
Simply put, your internet or network connection is only as good as your Network cable. There are a number of different cables commonly used for data connections today, and each is faster than the last. The most commonly used ones are currently Cat-5 and Cat-5e, and these are able to handle speeds of around 100 Mbps with ease. Cat-6 cable is more expensive but will deliver speeds reaching one gig with no problems. The old days of Cat-3 line are pretty much gone, although it's still used for voice data transmissions or very slow connections.
The length of your Ethernet cable has an impact as well. Obviously, the farther something needs to travel the longer it will take, but the main reason length has an impact is that over time the signal being carried degrades. For short distances of ten or twenty metres, that Cat-5 line is perfect. Slightly longer cables, up to one hundred metres, should be of the Cat-5e variety for best performance. Once you're sending data over one hundred metres, you need to make the upgrade to Cat-6 or you'll suffer very real speed slowdowns. In the case of internet connection you can use a long Ethernet cable without signal loss.
Finally, the actual condition of your Ethernet cable has an impact as well. Frayed, bent, kinked, or otherwise damaged cables can suffer serious speed setbacks or may not even work at all. And problems with the connector pins could trigger serious troubles as well. You'll need to ensure that your cables aren't damaged during installation or routine use to ensure that you have the best possible speeds. If you factor in those three things - cable type, cable length, and cable condition - then you should be able to select the perfect cable for your needs and get the internet speed that you're looking for.
