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Technical FAQ - Cables

Which Ethernet cable should I buy?

If you're unsure what Ethernet cable you need, look no further than our Ethernet Cable Finder. Answer some questions and let trueBOT guide you to the perfect solution!. You can also check out our Cable Academy where we have in-depth...

Which coaxial cable should I buy?

Whether you need an indoor or outdoor coaxial cable, we have several options for various applications. We offer RG6 coaxial cable in dual-shield and quad-shield variants. You can also check out our Cable Academy where we have in-depth blogs

How do I determine the length constant for my cable?

The nominal velocity of propagation (NVP) is listed on our spec sheets which can be found on our product detail pages.

When do I need to use a shielded cable? Are there any downsides?

Use shielded cable if you cannot avoid getting close (in parallel) to AC electrical wire, electrical motors, or have other EMI/RFI issues that you are aware of. Crossing electrical wire at right angles is OK. The environment will dictate when and how

What does riser rated (CMR) Ethernet cable mean? How is this different from "normal" Ethernet cable?

All Ethernet cable will have a safety rating of some kind if it complies with the NEC/NFPA 70. CM, CMG, and CMX have no fire protection. CMR has mild flame-spreading retardance built in, but is not flame proof. CMP (plenum) Ethernet cable is the most

I noticed that the pair twists in your Ethernet cable are not as tight (or loose) as another brand. Is my cable defective?

No. Twist rate is only one part of making an Ethernet cable, and there is no defined standard around "twists per inch". Ethernet is a balanced twisted pair communications cable, and the twist rate of individual conductor pairs may differ from another

I am installing cable in a commercial business. Do I require a plenum (CMP) rated Ethernet cable?

Perhaps. Plenum rated Ethernet cable is designed to be used in HVAC air handling spaces (like above drop ceilings and below raised floors) and your local codes likely dictate you MUST use it in those situations. Secondarily, if plenum Ethernet cable

How long will indoor Ethernet cable survive outdoors?

Under normal conditions, no more than one year.

Can an outdoor Ethernet cable be used indoors?

According to the National Electric Code (NEC), no more than fifty feet of outdoor Ethernet cable may be installed indoors. There are exceptions to this rule for certain residential dwellings. Please see our blog Can Outdoor Ethernet Cable Be Used

Is your CMX Ethernet cable suitable for marine (saltwater) environments?

Yes. We recommend the Cat6 Unshielded Gel Filled Direct Burial Ethernet Cable for maximum water protection!

Can outdoor Ethernet cables be used without conduit?

Yes, our outdoor-rated bulk Ethernet cable can be used without conduit.

What type of cable jacket rating should I use for outdoors above ground vs. direct burial?

Any Ethernet cable that is installed outdoors should have a CMX jacket rating. All CMX rated Ethernet is UV resistant and there is no difference in this jacket for direct burial or above ground applications. The only difference is direct burial..

Is gel filled CMX Ethernet cable better than water blocking tape CMX Ethernet cable for direct burial applications?

Yes, gel filled is superior. Gel filled is a bit messier to work with, but the nature of the non-toxic petroleum based gel filling guarantees that liquid water cannot enter the cable underground.

Should I use outdoor Ethernet cable in an attic or crawl space?

Almost never. Attics and crawl spaces are considered part of the interior of a structure and riser rated Ethernet cable, which is fire-rated for interior spaces, should be used. As always, interior cables such as riser and plenum should be protected

Is outdoor Ethernet cable less flexible than indoor Ethernet cable?

In general, yes, but not very much. You can get an idea of the relative flexibility of cables by comparing their bend radii, which are listed in their specification sheets. Want to learn more? Our blog Obey the Bend, Calculating Wire Bend Radius goes

What is the difference between water blocking tape and gel filled?

Water blocking tape is a fabric wrap filled with a dry gel that is not activated until it is exposed to water. Gel filled is high viscosity petroleum based gel that is injected into the cable. Gel filled provides superior protection at the expense of

How deep should I bury my direct burial Ethernet cable?

That depends. If using a conduit, then bury to 10" deep. If you are not using a conduit, then bury to a minimum of 24" deep. The rental of a trenching machine is strongly recommended!

Where should I use quad shield vs dual shield coaxial cable?

Normally, dual shield coaxial Series-6 (aka RG6) is sufficient for all but the most demanding installations. For installations that require additional shielding or maximum protection against signal leakage, please consider our quad shield Series-6 ca

What is the highest SDI signal that your coaxial cable will carry?

Our Series 6 coaxial cable will handle SD-SDI, HD-SDI, and 3G-SDI.

What is the difference between scoring and stripping?

Stripping is the removal of insulation from a wire. Scoring is just cutting into the surface of a cable jacket without penetrating, so that the jacket can be snapped off and removed by hand, protecting the interior of the cable from damage.

What is drained by a drain wire?

The drain wire in a shielded cable is used to maintain a path to ground for static charges and induced currents from electromagnetic interference.

Should I use a spool of trueCABLE bulk Ethernet cable and a package of your connectors to make patch cables?

This is the least reliable way to terminate Ethernet. It is not recommended to hand terminate solid copper Ethernet with 8P8C (aka RJ45) connectors at both ends for a myriad of reasons. Chief among these reasons are lack of cable flexibility, poor..

Will 8K and 4K video work over my Ethernet cable?

Yes! Most AV manufacturers recommend Cat6 or higher Ethernet cable for these applications.