PVC can be an abbreviation that stands for polyvinyl chloride. In terms of Ethernet cables, PVC is the term used to describe a PVC cable that refers to the jacket-rating on an Ethernet cable. PVC cables are offered in various categories like Cat6 PVC Cable, Cat5e PVC cable, and Cat6a PVC Cable.
What is a PVC rating?
In the case of Ethernet cables, PVC is the term used to describe the jacket rating. Ethernet cables that have these jackets are designed to install in outdoor areas. As opposed to plenum-rated and riser-rated cables, PVC cables do not include features like fire resistance; however, they have characteristics that allow Ethernet cables to endure in the harsh outdoor environment. It consists of the capability of PVC jackets to withstand sunlight, acids, oil and weathering, abrasion, and heat.
PVC cables are specially designed for use in outdoor areas.
Categories of PVC cables
The most sought-after and commonly utilized PVC Ethernet cables include Cat5e PVC cable, Cat6 PVC cable, and Cat6a PVC cable.
Let’s look at the features of each one individually.
Cat5e PVC Cable
The Cat5e cable is the 5th generation ethernet cable, which can show the highest data transfer speeds that can reach 1Gbps over 50 meters. If the distance is increased by 100m, data transfer rates drop down to 100Mbps.
The cable boasts a staggering bandwidth of 350 MHz. It’s available in pure copper as well as copper-clad aluminum conductors. Eight conductors are tightly wrapped in four twisted pairs to block EMI and minimize the negative impact of crosstalk on the strength of signals.
This cable comes in both unshielded and shielded versions and has a 24 AWG rating.
This cable is compatible with IEEE 802.12:100 Base-VG 100 Base-X, IEEE 802.5:4/16 token Ring, ANSI X3T9.5 TP-PMD (FDDI), and ATM PMD 155 Mbps. IEEE 802.3 Fast Ethernet:10 Base T, 100 Base-T4.
Cat6 PVC cable
If you were to look at the “6” in the term Cat6 PVC, you would have already known it’s the sixth generation Ethernet cable. This cable is a far superior and more impressive data transfer speed than older generation cables – 10 Gbps for 50 meters. It decreases to 1Gbps when the distance increases up to 100m or 328ft.
The cable boasts a staggering capacity for bandwidth of 555 millimeters. Like 5th generation cables, it’s available in pure copper and copper-clad aluminum conductors, tightly wrapped in four connected pairs. The cable has a length of 23AWG.
This cable supports Broadband 550 MHz voice, video, and SDN 155/622 10BASE-T ATM PoE at Mbps 1000BASE-T (IEEE802.3) 100BASE-TX Applications for Fast Ethernet.
Cat6a PVC cable
The Cat6a PVC cable can be described as an enhanced cable that can provide higher data transfer rates of 10 Gbps over relatively large distances, up to 100 meters. The quality of the signal is ensured due to its increased bandwidth of 775 millimeters.
Similar to the other 2 categories, This cable is accessible in copper-clad aluminum and pure copper conductors. It also has 23AWG and is available in both shielded and unshielded varieties.
Cat7 PVC Cable
Utilized in the high-speed data center, it is used in high-speed data centers. Cat7 PVC cable is equipped with an incredible data transfer speed of up to 40 Gbps for 50 meters or 164 feet. The data transfer rate drops to 10Gbps when extended to 100 meters or 328 feet. Ethernet cables have an incredible bandwidth of 2000 MHz, which ensures that your signal strength is guaranteed no matter what it comes to.
Similar to the three categories mentioned above Similar to the last 3 categories, Cat7 PVC cable comes in pure copper and CCA conductors. The ethernet cable is also at 23 AWG and is commonly used in the high-speed data center. This cable is in the aviation and healthcare sectors.
Now, the question arises which one is the best for you among all the PVC Ethernet cables.
So, the answer to that question depends on the budget you have set and the speed you require for your data. For residential use only, Cat5e PVC will do the job. For gaming and commercial applications, Cat6 PVC is an excellent choice. In the aviation and healthcare industry, Cat7 is the ultimate option.
