Have you ever heard about the shield guard around the cable? The protector, and the armor to fight the various odds of the environment. The plenum is an outer jacket known as the insulation layer above the Bulk Ethernet Cables. What is the Cat6 Plenum Ethernet Cable capable of? Can plenum be used outside the building? What is the type of insulation on the conductors inside the cable? Read this blog to know more about the insulation jacket of Bulk Cat6 Plenum Cable.
What Is a Plenum?
Physically, the ethernet cable outer jackets seem identical in multi-color options to use for cable management. But upon closer inspection, you can judge the jacket’s importance due to its chemical composition.
The Plenum is a tough jacket denoted as CMP (Communication Multipurpose Plenum). While buying you can consult the Bulk Ethernet Cable box or can read the stamped text on the Cat6 Plenum Cable. It is something like (Cat6 CMP Solid Copper 550MHz UTP 4 Pair Cable).
Before knowing the plenum jacket, there is a brief introduction to the plenum space within the building. I am sure you are aware of the ventilation ducts inside the building to create an airy passage throughout the building and the rooms to make them aerate. So, are there any warning signs for these spaces? Honestly speaking, yes there is a warning sign as the plenum spaces are airy and oxygenated. Most of the fire incidents occur due to ignorance of the fire-resistant jacket.
So for that reason, manufacturers produce ethernet cables like cat5e, cat6 plenum 1000ft, and Cat6a with high-grade material that could prevent fire incidents and progression of fire along the floor.
The Capacity of a Plenum Jacket?
The plenum is a high form of PVC with a chemical composition of FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) with maximum temperature-bearing capacity. The Cat6 Ethernet Cable has a maximum temperature-bearing capacity of -10 degrees to 60 degrees respectively.
Furthermore, the Bulk Cat6 Plenum cable is a UV-resistant jacket, the best to withstand harsh climatic conditions. Cat6 Plenum Ethernet Cable is the foremost choice for meeting the fire safety ratings of buildings. It is often said the plenum jacket has UL910 safety standards
Pro Tip: Plenum (CMP) UL-910 is a test for Horizontal Spaces for Flame Spreading and Hazardous Smoke Density for Ethernet Cables.
Is Plenum Outdoor or Indoor Rated?
The plenum cable can be used for outdoor installation but under special circumstances — conduits. The first preference is to install Bulk Cat6 Plenum cable for gigabit speeds and the other best feature is its LSZH properties to emit non-toxic smoke.
Whenever you need indoor cable, you can go with the Plenum or Riser, which is premium and a bit more expensive than the riser. The most suitable locations to install Cat6 Plenum Cable are attics, ventilation ducts, drop ceilings, above-raised floors, and HVAC systems where there are high chances of fire propagation.
So Plenum jackets are for horizontal spaces of the buildings. But you can also deploy riser cables in vertical spaces of the buildings. The main reason to use a riser jacket is to save some extra bucks but more is needed for plenum spaces. But you can use plenum cables in vertical spaces of the building’s non-plenum spaces.
When Do You Need Cat6 Plenum Cable?
Here I am going to cover the need for UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Cat6 Plenum 1000ft cable and the stronger type Cat 6 Shielded Plenum Cable. Both cables have their own specific set of installation needs.
The UTP Cat6 Plenum Ethernet Cable is a general electrical cable that is used for networking installations. Meanwhile, you can use this plenum cable for horizontal spaces of the buildings. The speed and the bandwidth make this cable the right choice for gigabit networking. Keep one thing in mind, UTP Cat6 plenum 1000ft cable is only suitable for the places where EMI or RFI interactions are rare or less. The only armor that can fight against electrical noise is twisted pairs that are tightly twisted to streamline the electrical signals.
Furthermore, electrical wires are the direct enemy of twisted pair cables as you know power cables that generate strong magnetic fields that influence the harmony of twisted pair (Cat6 plenum 1000ft) cable signal transmission.
For heavy power wires, you should maintain at least 20 – 25 inches of distance from the power cables or if you are dealing with congested space then you need to install cable perpendicular to the power lines.
The (F/UTP) Cat 6 Shielded Plenum Cable is used for the harsh environment conditions. The Cat6 Plenum Shielded (F/UTP) cables are used for longer-run installations, perfect signal transmission, and fighting the EMI or RFI, in hospitals where there are maximum waves to distort the signal frequency.
Both UTP and (F/UTP) Cat6 Plenum Cables are used in horizontal and vertical runs to minimize the chances of fire and also maintain data integrity throughout the cable length.
Is Cat6 Plenum Cable in Red Color Deteriorate Speed?
Judging the cable from its color is not right but you should simply check the industry standards of the cable if the cable is affiliated with ANSI/TIA-568.2.C, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). The quality of the cable should meet the standards set by ANSI/TIA so that you can have the perfect signal.
Moreover, the outer color of the jacket is specially made for labeling the cabling infrastructure and to ease the installation. There are myths that the specific color jackets will reduce speed or so.
Final Thought
If we talk about the Plenum (CMP) jacket of ethernet cables, it is more advanced and secure to meet the fire safety ratings of the buildings. The Cat6 Plenum Ethernet Cable and Cat 6 Shielded Plenum Cable have the same features but the shielded one is another type of safety due to the insulation sheath.
UTP and STP cables have major price differences and also the Cat6 plenum with copper conductor is the best combination that will be ready to use for high-density applications that require gigabit speed.
