Install Cat6 or Cat6A?

If you require 1 Gigabit for a normal office scenario Category 6 UTP is perfect and the most cost effective, in fact it will perform to 10 Gigabit up to 55mtr in the right environment. If you have an industrial or heavy duty electrical environment or would like to future proof I would recommend using a screened solution and in that case a Cat 6A FTP is probably the best option and offers superior ANEXT performance. 

 

 

Again some contractors make the mistake of thinking the only difference between a Cat6 and a Cat6A install is the cost of the components, this is not correct and can be a costly mistake on a project over a couple of hundred outlets. In my experience a screened Cat6A install can take up to 50% longer not to mention bigger conduits and more consideration around bend radius, cable bundling and earthing requirements, so do your homework.

 

 

You need to consider the potential life span of your investment in the cabling infrastructure.I see all too often endusers taking a shortminded view when installing data cabling.Yes Cat 5e will support 1 Gigabit applications but there is no argument in declaring its future proofing. The actual cost between Cat 5e and Cat 6 has diminished considerably to a point I hold minimal stocks of Cat 5e now and very often supply a Cat 6 product for the same cost. Technology is steaming ahead and data speeds of 40 Gigabit are concievable over copper so do not go for the cheapest solution as you will quite likely need an expensive re-cable in a few short years.

As you will note from the chart below there are certain criteria that set the various categories apart. In my opinion the frequency bandwidth and application speeds are the most important. Yes we all want the Rolls Royce of a cabling solution with potential data speeds up to 40 Gigabit but in reality this requirement is for a very limited market of Data Centres or very high frequency applications such as CATV. Cat6 is the entry requirement these days followed closely by Cat 6A. 4LAN offer both solutions with a LSZH sheath as standard and also offer a peace of mind 20 year solutions warranty for both. I definitely see a trend to install Cat6A especially a screened version (which offers superior ANEXT performance) and the cost is relatively low considering you are investing in a 10 year solution.

 

 

Cat 6 UTP LSZH $0-39 per mtr

Cat 6A F/UTP LSZH $0-688 per mtr