In my primary industry I am constantly working with very large networks for very large world wide corporations and governments. In most cases price for support and quality are secondary to the actual support and quality of the product. Like everything else you get what you pay for, no exceptions.
On this site the move to digital boards and digital stage boxes is often discussed, and the primary discussion always concerns connecting the stage box, and almost always what type cable to use for that purpose.
Regardless of category, it may surprise many of you to learn there are only two (2) types of cable. Certified and NOT certified.
When choosing a cable for your connectivity I would suggest that you place more importance on the cable certification than on the category. Take the time to do a little research, and the first step in that research will always be to read the printing on the cable jacket.
In my example I wanted to find out if the CAT6 cables I had on hand would work without issue between my performer and 32R stage box. My reference cable for the testing would be the specially made cable sent to me by my good friend Steve Hurt. The cable length was about 20'.
My test cables varied in length, type, and quality. Many had no marking other than CAT5, CAT6, etc.. I knew what to expect, and was not disappointed when NONE of the unmarked cables I had on hand, out of maybe 50 cables, provided reliable service. However, ALL of the marked certified cables work flawlessly from 25' up to and including cables 328' long. None of the cables were of shielded construction except one (1), and none were built with anything other than standard RJ-45 connectors.
So back to the initial reason for the testing. Certified cables work, uncertified cables don't.
How do you spot a certified cable? Look at the jacket and you should see similar printing to that below;
SUNF PU EI32276-A1 CM 75C 4PR 24 AWG CSA LL6451-A CMG FT4 ETL&3P VERIFIED TO TIA/EIA 568B.2-1 ISO/IEC 11801&EN 50173 CAT6
Pretty long line to say the least, but those are numbers that identify the manufacturer (SUNF PU), the construction type and verification process certificate. Entek is the leader in cable certification.
YMMV with the above, but a good reliable starting point is the writing on the jacket. Good luck to you all.
https://www.sunfpu.com/cat-6-solid-plenum.htmlhttp://www.pccableworld.com/pdf/Shielded%20Cat6%20Stranded.pdfhttps://www.cablestogo.com/category/cat-x/cat6http://www.flukenetworks.com/findit/34699886. Buyer Beware
An unsettling trend in the cable industry relates to “no-name” Cat 5, 6, and 6A product. This cable is often made outside
the United States and is less expensive than comparable product from major manufactures. Unfortunately, much of this
inexpensive cable is made from inferior materials using questionable manufacturing processes.
In 2008 the Communications Cable & Connectivity Association tested nine brands of no-name cables, all of which were
rated for use in risers or plenum spaces. Not one met the physical requirements defined in TIA 568-B.2. Only five meet the
electrical test requirements defined in TIA 568-B.2 and one met the safety requirements defined by UL 1666 and NFPA 262.
How is such poor cable reaching the market? It can because safety agencies perform random tests at the point of manufacture,
not in the field. The chasm in the quality process leaves end users exposed to safety and performance risks that are
entirely avoidable.
To ensure that there are no costs or risks hidden in inexpensive Cat 5, 6, and 6A cable, enterprises and cable installers
should certify cable in accordance with industry standards."
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