Ethernet Cable Installation & Solutions

Hire An Experienced Commercial Ethernet Cable Installer

If you want to improve your Internet speeds and connection reliability, installing new Ethernet cables may be the answer. Depending on the size of your building and existing network, upgrading your data cable infrastructure could take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few weeks. The good news is that when you work with a licensed commercial electrician like Suncoast Power, you’ll know the job is done right.

Suncoast Power is a locally-owned and operated electrical contractor specializing in a wide range of cabling and wiring services, including Ethernet cable installation. Contact us today to talk with a team member about your property and requirements so we can schedule a site visit.

The Benefits of Upgrading Your Ethernet Cables

While Wi-Fi offers the convenience of keeping your devices connected to the internet from anywhere in the world, hardwiring your devices with Ethernet cables comes with its own benefits. It’s important to note that wireless connections require physical access points that connect to the internet via Ethernet cables. Therefore, you’ll need Ethernet cables in your building whether or not you rely on wireless signals.

What Do Ethernet Cables Do?

Ethernet cables allow you to physically connect your devices to a local area network (LAN) and the internet. Most devices, including computers, printers, and gaming consoles, have Ethernet ports where cables can be plugged in. The other side of an Ethernet cable plugs into a router or modem, transmitting the broadband connection for your devices.

While the most straightforward use for Ethernet cables is between a router and a device, these cables are also helpful for creating broad local networks in office settings or large facilities. Our experts can run lines throughout your building to physically connect all devices in your system, allowing fast and easy transfer of files and other data.

Ethernet cables come in various options: Cat5 or Cat6, shielded or unshielded, and solid or stranded. Each type of cable has features that make them suitable for certain applications. For example, thinner Cat5 cables take up less space and work well in small environments, while Cat6 cables have thick casings to prevent signal interference. Ethernet cables allow you to reach higher data transfer speeds than wireless connections, and they keep your network connectivity stable for video calls, gaming, and streaming.

The Different Types Of Ethernet Cables

The “cat” in Ethernet cable names stands for “category,” and the following number represents the cable type. The design of Ethernet cables improves with each iteration, boosting speed and performance to keep up with advances in networking technology. Here are some of the primary types of Ethernet cables used in commercial networks.

Schedule An Ethernet Cable Upgrade Consultation Today

Suncoast Power is a locally owned commercial electrical contractor that has provided top-quality Ethernet cable installation and commercial electrical services in South Florida for more than 30 years. Our team can handle every step of your cabling installation, from permitting and planning to installation, testing, and maintenance. Call Suncoast Power today at 754-200-5872 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a commercial cabling consultation with a member of our team.

Give Us A Call (813) 822-4107

Send Us An Email help@suncoastpower.com

Picking the Right Ethernet Cable For Your Needs

The decision of which Ethernet cables to use and where to use them primarily depends on your budget and network needs.

Cat5 cables are lighter and thinner than Cat6 wires, making them easy to install in tight spaces. Their maneuverability makes them suitable for applications where you might need to plug and unplug cables frequently. They’re also much cheaper, and Cat5e cables can likely support your data transfer needs if you’re installing an office network.

However, Cat6 cables are the way of the future. They can reach much higher speeds and reduce interference, allowing complex networks to run efficiently. These cables are better for Power over Ethernet applications because their conductors are better at dissipating heat. While you might not need the capabilities of Cat6 Ethernet cables yet, you can be sure you’ll need to upgrade in the future.

speak to an expert Setup A Call

Unshielded Twisted Pair vs. Shielded Twisted Pair Cables

Shielded twisted-pair (STP) cables prevent signal interference with foil wrapped around the twisted wires inside the casing. Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables don’t have this added layer of protection. STP Ethernet cables are primarily for busy networks in large facilities like hospitals and airports, while UTP cables are suitable for homes and smaller offices.

Suncoast Power can assess your system and help you determine which type of cable you need. Unless you have an extensive network with exceptional data traffic, your best choice is likely UTP Ethernet cables.

Stranded or Solid Ethernet Cables

The difference between stranded and solid Ethernet cables is the core of the wire. Stranded cables have braided wires that make them more flexible, meaning they’re more suitable for patch cabling and situations where the cables need to be plugged and unplugged frequently.

Solid cables are sturdy, making it easy to thread them through walls during installation. They hold well in outdoor applications, and the solid core helps prevent signal loss. However, stranded cables have tiny gaps that can cause interference during data transfer.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cat5 and Cat6 Cables

Each type of Ethernet cable has pros and cons that can help you decide which one best suits your situation. Suncoast Power knows how to choose the right cables for specific applications, whether you want to wire a residential building or set up a new office.

Advantages of Cat5 Cables

Cat5 cables have been the go-to for hardwired connections for the past two decades. They’re highly affordable, easy to install, and versatile. Cat5 cables can connect most network-capable devices and telephones, giving property and business owners a cost-effective solution for wiring their buildings. If you want to improve performance, upgrading to Cat5e is a simple solution.

Disadvantages of Cat5 Cables

While Cat5 can support many of the internet speeds people have in their homes and businesses today, the use of these cables is waning. With only 100 Mbps of data transfer speed, Cat5 cables won’t work with high-speed connections, and their lack of shielding allows crosstalk to inhibit performance further. Ethernet cable installation specialists typically don’t use Cat5 cables for new cabling projects.

Advantages of Cat6 Cables

Cat6 cables perform better than Cat5 in almost every way, including data transfer speed, bandwidth, maximum cable length, and crosstalk protection. Compared to the earlier generations of Ethernet cables, the tightly wound wires and thick casing that make up Cat6 cables significantly boost their performance.

Disadvantages of Cat6 Cables

Cat6 cables may be more capable of supporting high speeds, but they’re more expensive than Cat5 cables. The construction of Cat6 cables makes them thicker and heavier than earlier types, which can lead to space issues during installation.

Before increasing your budget, remember that Cat6 cables aren’t yet necessary for most homes and businesses. Unless you need intensive network capabilities, upgrading to Cat6 cables is only helping you future-proof your system.

Similarities Between Cat5 and Cat6 Cables

Cat5 and Cat6 cables can connect devices like computers, routers, printers, and switches to the network.
Both cables have eight color-coded copper wire conductors that form four twisted pairs.
Cat5 and Cat6 cables have a maximum cable length of 328 feet before performance reduction.
Both Cat5 and Cat6 cables have to adhere to the standards of ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association).
Both types allow PoE (Power over Ethernet), enabling you to power devices like LED lights or telephones via Ethernet cables instead of needing a separate power cord.
Cat5 and Cat6 cables come in several varieties so that you can use them for various applications, such as indoor or outdoor installation.
You can find both cables in UTP or STP designs, allowing you to use them in either small (home, office, etc.) or large networks (airports, hospitals, etc.).

Differences Between Cat5 and Cat6 Cables

Cat6 cables have thick copper wires, while Cat5 cables are thinner.
Cat5 supports 100 Mbps speed (or 1,000 Mbps for Cat5e) and has 100 MHz maximum bandwidth.
Cat6 cables can reach up to 10 Gbps with a 250 to 500 MHz bandwidth, depending on the cable type.
Cat6 cables only get up to 10 Gbps at 110 to 165 feet of cable length unless you choose the more expensive Cat6a cable.
The thicker casing around Cat6 cables prevents crosstalk interference, improving network speeds in environments with many competing signals.
Cat6 cables have a spline inside the casing, a piece of plastic separating the copper wire pairs to prevent internal signal interference.

Ready To Discuss Your Next Electrical Project?

If you're searching for a licensed electrical contractor you can trust to get the job done right, Suncoast Power is here to help. We have provided commercial and industrial electrical services throughout Florida for more than 30 years. Call us today or fill out our quote request form to schedule a time to speak with our team about your project requirements.