Especially when it comes to the transmission of high-frequency data signals during productions, event technicians really want to be on the safe side as their absolute priority is to avoid any kind of interference and transmission deficits.

Since 2002, the use of Category 5 twisted pair cables (Cat 5e - specification of suitability for Gigabit Ethernet) has been standard for Gigabit networks and in the course of consistent further technological development Cat 6 and Cat 7 were added.

The terms are common – but in what way do these cables actually differ? Well, they significantly differ regarding bandwidth. While Cat 5 cables are designed for operating frequencies of up to 100 megahertz, Cat 6 versions support maximum bandwidth frequencies of up to 500 MHz and Cat 7 cables even of up to 1,000 MHz. What then is decisive for achieving higher operating frequencies together with even better transmission characteristics? In a nutshell: the key words are twisting/stranding or shielding.

Cat 5 cables are Screened Unshielded Twisted Pair (S/UTP) cables, i.e. no shielding on the individual wire pairs, but a braided shield around the entire cable pairs structure. Electromagnetic interference is reduced by twisted wire pairs.

This is, however, not sufficient enough for higher operating frequencies. Cat 6 cables therefore feature a foil shielding around the wire pairs to protect the cables from interference such as cross talk (FTP = Foiled Twisted Pair).

For Fast Ethernet (FENet = frequency range of 600 or 1,000 MHz), Cat 7 cables come into play. Here all 4 wire pairs are individually surrounded by a foil shield and all of them, additionally, by an overall braided shield.

Cordial offers both, Cat 5e and Cat 7a cables, which were especially designed to meet all the requirements of event technology (bulk and ready-made cables). The Cat 6 bulk cable CCAT 6A INST-FRNC supplements our product range targeting specifically fixed installations equipment (with CPR class Dca compliant with the Building Products Ordinance).

CAT categories

In the course of the rapidly increasing digital transformation in the field of event technology, the necessary connections between digital end devices, i.e. Ethernet cables, are becoming more and more significant. They are crucial components when it comes to meeting the enormous requirements of digital projects within the industry.

Ethernet cables are currently subdivided into different classes or categories (CATegories) based mainly on their bandwidth and data speed. At present the most relevant are CAT 5e, CAT 6A and CAT 7A.

Riding the data highway

For a basic understanding (rather simplified) of what CAT classes are all about, let’s imagine a highway. The higher the CAT class, the wider or "multi-lane" the highway is in the figurative sense (bandwidth in megahertz MHz = electromagnetic oscillations or frequency) the faster "vehicles", i.e. in this case “data”, can travel on it (= data transmission speed in megabits per second Mbit/s).

This means that data can be transmitted with:

- Class CAT 5e cables within a bandwidth of 100 MHz at a speed of 1000 Mbit/s,

- class CAT 6A within a bandwidth of 500 MHz with a speed of 10,000 Mbit/s,

- and with class CAT 7A cables within a bandwidth of 1,000 MHz with a speed of 10,000 Mbit/s.

*[Noteworthy: CAT 7A has the same speed as CAT 6A, "only" the bandwidth is higher i.e. that the "highway" is wider and can accommodate more "traffic", which, however, moves within the same "speed limit" - one speaks of a higher "feed-through speed" when you use CAT 7A cables].

What then – to put it succinctly -"makes" an Ethernet cable a CAT cable of a specific class/category?

The interaction of various factors, such as the overall design of the individual components and the materials used, is crucial when determining the respective category.

Decisive for the ultimate performance of the cables are in particular issues such as:

- the impact of the AWG value on the performance characteristics

- the type of conductor (solid vs. stranded wire cables)

- the insulator and type of insulator

- the shielding (shielded or unshielded Ethernet cable)

These topics and their impact on the different CAT classes will be discussed in subsequent articles. The explanation or definition of what shielding is all about with regard to the respective CAT classes can be found below!

The significance of shielding as regards the respective CAT classes

There are unshielded cables ("UTP cable: Unshielded Twisted Pair") and shielded cables (both "FTP cable: Foiled Twisted Pair" and "STP cable: Shielded Twisted Pair").

Explanation of diverse shielding designs

The structural design regarding the shielding of Ethernet cables is identified by letters.

- U - Unshielded: without shielding.

- F - Foil: Shielding with foil wrapped around the wire pairs.

- S - Braid: The wire pairs are shielded with a metal braid.

There are two additional variants featuring shielded wire pairs:

- UTP - The wire pairs are not individually shielded

- FTP - The wire pairs are individually shielded with foil

Further acronyms are derived from these terms:

- U/UTP: A U/UTP cable has no shielding of the wire pairs and no shielding per individual wire pair

- F/UTP: In F/UTP cables, all wire pairs are encased in an overall foil shield, but there is no shielding for each individual wire pair

S/FTP: In S/FTP cables, all wire pairs are protected with an overall metal braid and each individual wire pair is shielded with foil

Shielding (and its respective variants) is therefore one of the key criteria for the effective protection against internal and external interference. The more effectively a cable - and the wire pairs within the cable - is/are shielded, the lower the negative impact of interference on the movement of the respective data. BUT: the individual types of shielding also influence the flexibility of the cable. It is therefore always imperative to evaluate the weighting of the individual factors subject to the intended use.

Other important terms are: PiMF, Central Cross and Tube Construction

- PimF (pairs in metal foil): Wire pairs are individually wrapped in metal foil. This serves to shield from electromagnetic interference and improve signal integrity.

- Central Cross: This design refers to a central cross arrangement of the wire pairs in the cable. This achieves a more even distribution of electromagnetic interference.

- Tube Construction: The loose tube design helps to maintain the structure of the cable and minimizes electromagnetic interference between the wire pairs.

On the one hand, PiMF cables include SF/UTP cables (i.e. variants with shielded wire pairs - metal braiding and foil - but the wire pairs are not individually shielded from each other) and, on the other, S/FTP cables (see above, all wire pairs are surrounded by metal braiding and each individual wire pair is shielded with foil).

- CORDIAL's S/FTP cables include CCAT 6A PUR QUAD; CCAT 6A PUR LONGRUN; CCAT 7A PUR; CCAT 7A PUR LONGRUN

- The CCAT5e PUR bulk cable consists of an S/UTP cable featuring an additional stabilizer made of TPE-V (Tube Construction Cable).

Finally, Cordial’s portfolio also includes the Central Cross cables CCAT 5e PUR LONGRUN and CCAT 6A PUR, i.e. SF/UTP cables (see above) with a PE stabilizer cross.

How does the conductor type influence the signal transmission

The selected type of conductor is a decisive factor regarding signal transmission within a cable.

You have to distinguish between two types of conductors:

a) Stranded: multiple strands

b) Solid: one strand

In multi-core conductors, several insulated cores are arranged next to each other in a cable sheath and enclosed in a flexible outer jacket. In contrast, solid cables consist of a single conductor, which is normally surrounded by insulation.

Both types of conductor have certain advantages and disadvantages when it comes to their properties and the way they are manufactured. Based on these criteria you have to decide which cable is best suited for the respective application.

Multi-core conductor (stranded):

Advantages:

- they are relatively flexible and thus very suitable for stage use, for example

- they can also be used as patch cables, for instance

- they can easily be reeled

- they are enormously versatile

Disadvantages:

- comparatively, they are more expensive

- they generally have a shorter range

- they are relatively more susceptible to interference

Conductors with one strand (solid):

· Advantages:

- they perform very well over long distances

- they are relatively inexpensive

- they are particularly suitable for fixed installations due to their high stability

· Disadvantages:

- they are less flexible and harder to reel

- There is a risk of cable breakage with regard to constant movements

When it comes to selecting the appropriate type of conductor, it is therefore important to consider carefully what to focus on regarding the respective application.

This relates especially to the following factors:

1. flexibility:

· Solid (one strand): Solid conductors are generally less flexible than multi-stranded conductors. They are better suited for fixed installations where the cables do not need to be moved or bent frequently.

· Multiple strands (multicore):Multi-core conductors are more flexible and better suited to applications that require frequent cable movements or bending. Consequently, they are predestined for applications where greater flexibility is required and can also perfectly be used as patch cables.

2. longer distances:

· Solid (one strand): In principle, solid conductors offer comparatively excellent signal integrity over long distances and therefore perform better than other types (they are, however, relatively more susceptible to interference over shorter distances due to the closer proximity of the inner conductor to the external environment).

· Multiple strands (multi-core):The structural design of multi-stranded conductors minimizes the risk of electromagnetic interference and crosstalk over shorter distances, as the individual conductors are separated from each other within a cable. Over very long distances, however, a cable featuring multiple strands can lose some of its efficiency due to its higher sensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMC) compared to solid conductors.

3. Type of installation

· Solid (one strand): Solid conductors are, on the one hand, relatively more stable, but, on the other, more susceptible to constant movements. They are therefore more frequently used in fixed installations (e.g. laid in walls or ceilings) than in mobile environments.

· Multiple strands (multicore):Due to their high flexibility and excellent reeling properties, multi-core conductors provide a good solution for mobile use (stages, tours, festivals, etc.) as well as for a connection between mobile devices (patch cables) - see above.

4. Costs:

· Solid (one strand): Particularly suited for use over longer distances, solid cables can be a more economical option than multi-core types due to their lower production costs.

· Multi-strand (multi-core):Multi-stranded cables can be slightly more expensive due to the more complex manufacturing process, but are more flexible and versatile.

Please note that selecting the correct cable for an application requires the careful assessment of a variety of factors including AWG ratings, shielding, insulation, cable length, data class and respective application. It is crucial to take into account all factors relevant to the specific application to ensure signal integrity and the optimum system performance.

Further interesting "Cordial Knowledge" facts on the subject:

· CAT classes https://www.cordial-cables.com/de/cat-klassen

· Impact of AWG values on signal transmission https://www.cordial-cables.com/de/awg-einfluss-signaluebertragung

· Shielding - influence on signal transmission https://www.cordial-cables.com/de/schirmung-einfluss-signaluebertragung

· Insulator - influence on signal transmission https://www.cordial-cables.com/de/isolator-einfluss-signaluebertragung

How does the insulator influence the signal transmission?

The insulator within a cable ensures the efficient and safe transmission of signals as well as of current and voltage. Without adequate insulation, the conductors of the cable would be exposed to all kinds of external influences, which could lead to interference and, consequently, signal loss.

Customarily, solid insulators, i.e. core insulation made of solid material, have been used. Then again, foamed insulations have a number of future-oriented advantages that are becoming increasingly relevant, especially in higher frequency ranges as

· they allow a wider bandwidth for signal transmission

· they have a greater range due to lower attenuation values

· due to their smaller dimensions and lower weight they are far more mobile and flexible.

Skin/Foam/Skin technology:

A foamed insulator consists of an inner skin that is sprayed on the stranded wire and acts as a so-called bonding agent so that the surrounding foam has a better grip. Finally, a firm, hard outer skin provides stability and protection for the structure.

The following Cordial data cables are equipped with a foamed insulator (links follow):

· CCAT 5e PUR LONGRUN

· CCAT 6A PUR LONGRUN

· CCAT 6A PUR QUAD

· CCAT 5e PUR LONGRUN

· CCAT 6A PUR LONGRUN

· CCAT 7A PUR

· CCAT 7A PUR LONGRUN

· CDP1-25

The following Cordial data cables feature a solid insulator (links follow):

· CCAT 5e PUR

· CCAT 6A PUR

· CCAT 6A INST-FRNC