How do we identify the plenum jacket of the ethernet cable besides cat6 does plenum have some importance? The plenum spaces are the building highways traveling along the wall, drop ceilings, and ventilation systems.
The plenum spaces are highly ventilated with air and oxygen, perfect for fire to ignite and cause a massacre. Here is where the plenum plays a vital role. The plenum is a PVC rated with chemical composition FEP-rated material. You can call it a superhero that puts a barrier to halt-fire progression. This rigid composition material of Cat6 Plenum cable protects the internal structure from burning.
What Is a Plenum Jacket?
CMP, PLM, and PL are some of the most common acronyms for identifying the Plenum jacket of the ethernet cable. Most manufacturers use these acronyms on the cable jacket like (Cat6 CMP 550 MHz 1000ft Bulk Cable).
The reason to make plenum jackets is to deploy the cable to meet fire safety regulations of the buildings, offices, or residences. You can use ethernet cable possibly in two locations — Vertical and Horizontal.
Vertical Shafts — These spaces within the building do not require many fire safety precautions as there is less chance that cable might catch fire or so. Riser (PVC) jackets are designed for vertical spaces of the buildings.
Horizontal Shafts — Cat6 plenum ethernet cables are used to install in the plenum spaces or horizontal spaces of the buildings. The technical information to use a plenum (CMP) jacket is due to the ventilation ducts or HVAC systems having the entry to every room for cross ventilation connection. If the low-grade jacket is used for installation it might emit toxic smoke which could cause suffocation or worse case.
The Cat6 Plenum Ethernet Cable is an indoor cable jacket that can only be used inside the installation. The plenum is a UV-resistant jacket with maximum temperature-bearing capacity but still, if you want to use this cable for outdoor connection, you need a conduit (Extra protective layer).
The plenum is an expensive jacket due to the following reasons
- FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene)
- UV resistant (Can bear harsh temperatures)
- Can be used in both horizontal and vertical spaces
- Maximum protection of cable
So conduit will cost you some extra bucks to install at their specific destination. There is another jacket for outdoor installation known as “Direct Burial” a gel-filled cable with the capability to bury for underground installations.
Types Cat6 Plenum Cables
There are different types of Cat6 plenum 1000ft cable in bulk but which cable you need depends on your desire. The most common types of Bulk Cat6 Plenum cables are
- Bulk Cat6 Plenum 1000ft Cable UTP
- Cat 6 Shielded Plenum Cable (F/UTP)
Here UTP is for Unshielded Twisted Pair commonly denoted as U/UTP and F/UTP defines Foil/Unshielded Twisted Pair. The UTP and STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) are two different variants of the Cat6 Plenum Ethernet Cable.
Now let’s learn about these two cables Cat 6 Shielded Plenum Cable and Cat6 Plenum Cable UTP. Both cables have different internal structures but Cat6 Plenum Shielded is quite improved here is why.
Cat 6 Shielded Plenum Cable — The shielded cable has an additional insulation sheath beneath the cable jacket. This is the most secure and highly beneficial for active EMI or RFI fields. The shielded cables are the same as unshielded cables regarding the speed but they are also a difference in Cat 6 shielded plenum cable.
Cat6 plenum shielded cable has some additional features within the cable structure. This includes Drain wire, PE tape (Transparent Plastic sheath), Aluminum Foil or Braid Mess an additional armor to protect the inner conductors from crosstalk or attenuation.
The drain wire runs along the whole length of the Ethernet Cable (Cat 6 Shielded Plenum Cable), the main use of the drain wire is “Grounding” as the drain wire is continuously in contact with the shield (Foil or Braid). Thus, the grounding connection will ease in transferring any electrical noise if picked up by the shield to safely dissipate to the ground.
Is Cat6 Plenum Cable Shielded?
There is no hard and fast rule that every plenum-rated jacket ethernet cable should be shielded. The STP cables are quite challenging to install and also they are quite expensive if compared with the UTP cables.
The plenum cables with pure copper cables have a price variance (Costly) due to the FEP-rated material and the pure copper conductor. The cable is best to use for the most sophisticated cabling structures to seamlessly attain the gigabit speed.
Types of Ethernet Cable Jackets
There are two installation needs of the ethernet cable — Indoor and Outdoor. The indoor jackets are Plenum (Cat6 Plenum Ethernet Cable) and Riser (Cat6 Riser Cable). But on the other hand, there is another jacket that is used for outdoor and underground wiring purposes. The Direct Burial (CMX) for the outside plant jacket can simply cater to your installation needs without any conduit. Following are the features of the indoor and outdoor jackets.
- Plenum — known for its FEP material a highly fire-resistant jacket for horizontal runs.
- Riser — PVC jacket, flame retardant for vertical installations.
- Direct Burial — LLDPE (Low-Linear Density Polyethylene) jacket, water, and moisture-resistant suitable for direct underground installation.
The direct burial is specially made for underground installation where the plenum and riser cost you some extra bucks due to the addition of conduit (Extra Protective Layer). It is the right source to protect your cabling infrastructure from tripping over or lawn movers.
Does Plenum Lose Signal Over Longer Runs?
The ideal length for installing Bulk Cat6 Plenum cable is 100 meters (328ft). But you need to check the environment is clear from EMI or RFI. The intensity of ethernet cable signals can fluctuate with natural or artificial interference caused by microwaves, heavy generators, lightning, and powerlines.
Another question that is frequently asked by consumers is “Can you install cable near power lines”? Honestly speaking, the installation of Cat6 Plenum 1000ft cable near powerlines is a risk for signal transmission.
The first precaution you should adopt is to have the maximum distance between the powerlines and the twisted pair cables. Second, you shouldn’t install UTP Bulk Cat6 Plenum cable parallel to the powerlines but at 90 angle to minimize the crosstalk.
Final Words
After the speed and the other features specified, an external jacket of the cable is of much importance. Where do you need to install the cable — Horizontal or Vertical? Is there a need to install the cable underground — Direct Burial Cat6 Ethernet Cable is the right need for you.
By identifying the cable jacket, you will able to install the cable at its right destination but make sure for plenum spaces or horizontal spaces Cat6 Plenum Cable is the best, covering the safety needs of the buildings.
