Cat6A plenum and Cat6A riser cables are two Ethernet cables commonly used in commercial buildings. Both cables are made of twisted pairs of copper wires, but they differ in the wire gauge size and insulation material. Cat6A Plenum cable is thicker and has fire-resistant insulation, while Cat6A riser cable is thinner and has non-fire-resistant insulation.
Introduction: Cat6a Ethernet Cable
Cat6a cable is a faster, larger, and more advanced version of the Cat6 cable. It can transfer data faster, with higher bandwidth and longer distances than the Cat6 cable. While Cat6 cable has a maximum bandwidth of 250 MHz, Cat6a cable allows 500 MHz bandwidth. Cat6a cable enables you to use a 1080p display resolution over a 250 MHz bandwidth, which is impossible with a Cat6 cable. Besides being faster than Cat6 cable, Cat6a cable is more resistant to interference. Therefore, it is recommended to use Cat6a cable in environments requiring higher bandwidth.
What is Plenum Cable?
Plenum Cable is a type of cable designed to be used in the larger cavities of buildings. Plenum cables can be used in air handling spaces and the plenum of a building. The plenum is the air-handling ductwork in the walls of a building between the ceiling and the drop ceiling. The plenum cable is resistant to heat, fire, and smoke. The fire resistance of plenum cable makes it a better choice for computer rooms as well as areas that may have a fire risk.
The performance of the plenum Cat6a cable is identical to that of its riser counterpart. Broad compatibility with high-speed ethernet applications, 10 gigabits of data transmission rate, 750 MHz of bandwidth, and active resistance to electromagnetic interference and crosstalk.
What is Riser Cable?
Riser cable is the cable that is used to move data within a building or floor. Riser cable is a type of horizontal cabling used to provide higher bandwidth and greater capacity than is available to work area cabling. The riser cable is made up of solid unshielded twisted pairs that are strung through the walls and floors of a building.
This cable offers you a bandwidth capacity of 750 MHz. It can transport data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps over a distance of 100 meters. With this speed and power, you can use it for practically any high-speed ethernet application with this speed and capacity, including 10G ethernet, gigabit ethernet, PoE+/++, audio/video applications, etc.
Plenum vs. Riser: What’s the Difference?
A plenum is a space created by suspended ceilings in large areas such as basements or warehouses. Plenum cables have a waterproof jacket enclosing a bundle of individual cables. Since it’s in an air-containing space, it’s fire-retardant. You can save money by buying plenum-grade cable over riser-grade because the plenum-grade cable is thicker, has more wire inside, and can carry more data. Plenum-grade cable is the same exterior size as riser-grade cable. It has the same insulation, but the number of wires is different.
Cat6a plenum cable is more expensive than Cat6a riser cable. Installation of Cat6a plenum cable is more labor intensive. Fire safety is a significant consideration when installing plenum cable, as it is more difficult to contain a fire in a plenum space. Cat6a plenum cable is made with fire-retardant materials and is more difficult to damage than Cat6a riser cable.
Difference in Cost
It seems to sense that the Cat6a plenum cable costs a little bit more than its riser equivalent due to its cutting-edge features. Additionally, it’s crucial to note that installing the plenum cable outdoors is optional but possible.
Running a riser cable outdoors is an excellent option if your project is budget-constrained. You can also use the riser outside if you don’t want to spend more money on a feature that isn’t highly suggested or encouraged.
Conclusion
Finally, the most significant difference between Cat6a Plenum and Cat6a Riser cable is the material used to make the cable. Cat6a Plenum cable is made with a flame retardant material called Halogen free (HFR) or FRP. This unique material will not ignite or melt when exposed to fire. Cat6a riser cable is made with a flame retardant material called Halogenated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC). It is important to note that CPVC is not used for regular Cat6a cable. It can be used for Cat6a riser cable, but it is mandatory for Cat6a plenum cable.
