Did You Know? Fast Facts About Internet Speed

It’s easy to complain that your internet isn’t fast enough, but how much do you really know about internet speed? If you have unanswered questions, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn a few fascinating fast facts about internet speed.

internet speed

When the World Wide Web launched in 1993, dial-up internet was limited to speeds of 56 kbps. Not to mention the only connection was via phone line. Fortunately, the days of choosing between using the internet and answering the phone are over. Now, broadband service has taken over. The internet is an almost immediately accessible commodity in our daily lives.

In fact, as of 2010 Cisco reported that IP traffic hit 20.2 exabytes per month. One exabyte is equivalent to 1 billion gigabytes. Pair that with the fact that as of December 2018 there were over 4.1 billion internet users and you’ve got a global phenomenon.

But is it fast enough?

Fortunately, there are FCC guidelines in place that help determine what can and can’t qualify as broadband. According to the FCC, an internet service must deliver a download speed of at least 25 Mbps and an upload speed of at least 3 Mbps to actually qualify as broadband. So at the very least, you can count on these minimums. For reference, downloading a 50 MB file at 1 MB per second will take approximately 50 seconds.

And the internet continues to evolve. In fact, Google claims its service Google Fiber is up to 100 times faster than traditional broadband internet. We’re already thinking up speedier ways to utilize the World Wide Web.

A Beginner’s Guide to Cat6 Ethernet Cables

ethernet cables
Fiber optic cabling provides large bandwidth and is a staple of the internet age. The genesis of fiber optics was in 1988 when the first cable connected the United States to France. It has become a global phenomenon since then.

Ethernet cables, on the other hand, transmit data via electrical impulses and refer to cabling that connects a computer to a modem for online internet access. These cables have become an essential part of our digital society and come in various forms. We’ll examine one type in particular.

Some of the different types of Ethernet cables include Cat5 and Cat6, and their cousins Cat5e and Cat6a. These types of cables deliver excellent data transmission speeds and are relatively inexpensive. Cat6 Ethernet cables work well for online streaming when the cable is not too long. Let’s examine more closely the Cat6 Ethernet cable.

You’ll want to make sure you match your cabling with your internet router and modem. It’s a good idea to get new Ethernet cables whenever you update your computer or internet equipment.

Cat6 cables are an excellent option for internet connectivity and are often used as an upgrade from another popular type of cable: Cat5e. Cat6 costs more but is worth the price whether for first time use or if you’re upgrading your equipment. The major difference is the increase in bandwidth: 100 megahertz (MHz) for Cat5e compared to 250 MHz for Cat6. There is also less “crosstalk” noise, which is a barrier to data transmission.

It is important to note that the distance your Ethernet cable covers affects transmission speed. A run should cover a distance of no more than 320 feet. This is quite a distance, so this should not be a problem for the average user. Within these parameters Cat6 cables support 1 gigabit (Gb). A longer Ethernet cable could negatively affect transmission speed and carrying capacity.

It is important to know your internet connection speed. If your internet speed is 1 Gb per second or if you upload many files or stream high definition movies or videos, a Cat6 Ethernet cable will serve you well. Last but not least, your router is a player in data transmission speeds. Don’t negate the benefits of your Cat6 Ethernet cable with an older router that does not support the upgraded speed you desire. Also, if you and your family are heavy internet users and connected to more than one computer, Cat6 Ethernet cables are the way to go.

These USB-C Products Could Make Up for Lost Connections on Newer Laptops

bulk usb cables

While newer laptops and tablets may be sleeker, thinner, and faster, they’re all losing one thing: external connections. The number of ports on new laptops and other devices is shrinking, mostly for design purposes. But if you’re someone who needs a large number of external connections on your computer, these USB-C products could help. Let’s take a look at a few.

 

Bulk USB Cables

 

When you’re buying cables for an entire office of computers that don’t necessarily have the USB-C ports you need, bulk USB cables that transition from Type A to Type C can be extremely helpful. Not only do they make connecting computer towers to other USB-C devices easier, but buying in bulk has the added benefit of saving you money. When in doubt, bulk USB cables are your go-to lifesavers.

 

USB Micro to USB-C Adapter

 

USB Micro is becoming more and more popular for devices like smartphones, tablets, and other technologies smaller than a laptop. However, sometimes you don’t necessarily have the right cable to connect your smaller device to a USB-C compatible device. That’s where this handy adapter comes in. If you’re part of the 8.1% of customers Apple sold an iPhone to, you may have no use for this adapter, but Android users will likely need it sooner or later.

 

USB-C Mini Dock

 

Want a dock that converts more than one type of cable to USB-C? This is the perfect product for you. When you want all of your cables converted to USB-C in one convenient package, a three-in-one adapter is going to be a lifesaver. Not only will it save you time and effort, it will save space on your desk. Say goodbye to clusters of USB 3 cables getting tangled up underneath your desk.

 

Various USB-C Adapters

 

If you have a bunch of older USB cables, don’t throw them away just yet. We talked about a few different kinds of adapters here, but there are more to discover! These adapters can help you make the most of the cables you currently have and save you money in the future. You might be able to put off buying those bulk USB cables for a little bit longer this way.

 

Whether you need new USB cables or you’re itching to try the adapter route, these devices should help you make up for lost external connections on newer devices.

UPS – The Basics of Uninterruptible Power Supplies

Now that Zach has explained UPS basics and given you a walkthrough on models we carry, we thought you might be interested in more details on disruptions, types of UPS, and how to select the correct size for your application.

Common Electrical disruptions a UPS is designed to mitigate.

Surge: An intense but brief spike in electricity. Typically caused by lightning strikes or anomalies in the power grid when power is restored after a blackout. Surges can damage or destroy electronics

Blackout: A power outage that could last anywhere from seconds to days. Blackouts are most commonly caused by severe weather, utility power shortages, and power grid failures.

Brownout: Drops in voltage for an extended period of time whether it be intentional or unintentional. Power companies may lower voltage to avoid a total blackout condition.

Voltage Sags: A sag is another type of under voltage, but is sudden and brief in time.

Over Voltage: A higher than normal amount of incoming voltage. It lasts longer than a surge, but the increase in voltage is not high enough to be considered a surge or spike.

Line Noise: Can disrupt or degrade the performance of a circuit by injecting abnormalities into a system. Line noise is often referred to as frequency noise.

Frequency Variation: Can occur when using generators and power frequency fluctuates more than desired. This is not a common problem when power supplies are stable.

Harmonic Distortion: Is a departure from the ideal electrical signal on a given power source.

What kind of UPS devices are out there?

There are three types of UPS devices on the market today: Standby, Line-interactive, and Double Conversion. Each type offers protection for your equipment from electrical anomalies. Based on the type of electric anomalies in your area, you can more confidently decide the correct type of UPS that suits your needs.

Standby UPS offers protection from the following power-related issues: surge in power, blackout, and brownout.

The standby UPS essentially stays in a standby mode unless it is needed. The inverter and battery do not supply any power unless the main source of power goes out. The main source of power comes from a utility or power line. The system has a transfer switch that automatically selects the backup power provided by the battery once the main source of power goes out.

Line-interactive UPS offers protection from the following power-related issues: surge, brownout, blackout, voltage sags, and over voltage.

This type of UPS uses automatic voltage regulation (AVR) to correct abnormal voltages without switching to battery. Regulating voltage by switching to battery drains your backup power and can cause batteries to wear prematurely. The UPS detects when the voltage crosses a preset low or high threshold and uses transformers to boost or lower the voltage by a set amount to return it to the acceptable range. They also provide Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) filtering.

Double Conversion UPS provides protection from all the power-related issues we first described: surge, brownout, blackout, voltage sags, over voltage, line noise, frequency variation, and harmonic distortion.

This type of system works by converting power from AC to DC power and then back to AC. The primary power path is the inverter versus the AC mains. Failure of the input AC does not cause activation of the transfer switch, because the input AC is the back-up source. It provides the highest level of protection because it isolates your equipment from raw utility power.

UPS type selection chart - large.
UPS type selection chart - small.

How big a UPS do you need?

When selecting the correct size of UPS, VA or volt-amps is the measurement that must be considered. Fortunately, the calculations are rather straight forward. First, one decides everything that will be plugged into the UPS for power backup. Once you have decided what is being plugged in, you then have to read some power labels and do a little simple math. You will need to know the maximum voltage (V) and amperage (A) for each device.

Our webmaster supplies a quick example:

Computer tower:115 volts x  10 amps = 1150VA
21.5 in. monitor: 115 volts x 1.5 amps = 172.5VA
21.5 in. monitor: 115 volts x 1.5 amps = 172.5VA

1495

This adds up to a total of 1495 volt-amps. If we were to provide the standard suggested cushion of 20%, our total would bump to 1794VA. We would be looking for 2000VA or higher.

But how long will it last?

In order to figure this out, we are going to need to collect some info and do some math. We will need to know the draw of the attached devices in watts and the UPS battery’s amp hour rating. The formula for a battery’s runtime is ( volts x amp hours ) / watts. This formula does not account for inverter loss. The industry standard formula does so roughly by reducing the standard 12 volts to 10. Below is the formula we will use for this exercise:

( ( 10 x AH ) / watts ) * 60 = minutes of run time

For this example we have determined that the Vesta Pro 2000 UPS is our best fit. The manual informs us that it contains two 9AH batteries which gives us 18AH. We know that our max draw by the computer is 700 watts, and for this example we’ll keep it simple and work with that number. We also know, by a little research, that each monitor draws 30 watts.

( ( 10 x 18 ) / 760 ) * 60 = 14 minutes

14

In reality it is unlikely that the computer is drawing a full load very often, but this gives us the worst case for our scenario.

Hopefully this has been helpful to you. And a small apology from the webmaster to his Theoretical Chem professor from uni for being fast and loose with the units. 😉

Products related to post

Vesta Pro 2000 UPS
Vesta Pro 1000 UPS
Vesta Pro 600 UPS

XP 600 Surge Strip UPS
XP 400 Surge Strip UPS

What Are Display Ports and DisplayPort?

hdmi cables

Computers are endlessly fascinating. They can do almost anything with the click of a button! But if you didn’t have a visual display on your computer, you likely wouldn’t get much of anything done. That’s why display port and display port cables are so important. Let’s take a closer look at these essential tools for your computer.

 

What Are Display Ports?

 

Display ports are digital audio and video interfaces on your computer. The ports you see on the back of your computer tower labeled for HDMI cables, VGA cables, and DVI cables can be considered DisplayPorts. These ports are crucial to the function of computers as we know them today — without them, we wouldn’t be able to see anything on our computer monitors.

 

What Is DisplayPort?

 

DisplayPort (DP) is a form of display port developed by VESA. Beginning in 2012, products that use DisplayPort logos had to be tested by VESA in order to ensure quality. This has resulted in some of the highest quality display port products on the market today. DisplayPort and their cables are meant to be some of the fastest display connections in technology today. They’re similar to HDMI ports and cables in design but have the ability to transmit data at much higher speeds. For comparison, DisplayPort cables transmit data at speeds of up to 10.8 Gbps, while USB 2.0 devices transfer data at up to 480 Mbps.

 

Do HDMI Cables Work with DisplayPorts?

 

DisplayPort connectors are a little bit different than HDMI cables. While HDMI cables have 19 pins, DisplayPort cables have 20. This ensures a very uniform design for all DP cables, and makes DP design unique in comparison to HDMI. The nice thing about DisplayPort cables is that there’s only one variety. HDMI cables, on the other hand, come in four different designs, each with different applications. When you use a DisplayPort and Displayport cables, you have full understanding that those cables will all serve one specific purpose.

 

Whether you’re referring to display ports or DisplayPort, there’s no doubt these two technological developments have changed computers for the better.

The Benefits of Ordering Cat6 Ethernet Cable from a Reputable Company

cat6 ethernet cable

Current statistics in technology industry indicate that there are 305 iPhone sales per minute, which is a clear indication that equivalent USB cables are also sold per minute for charging the iPhones bought. This information is enough to show how cell phone charging cables are moving from the suppliers to the local stores and finally to the hands of the phone users.

Not only are cell phone cables in high demand, but the Ethernet cable industry has also changed considerably. There are many companies out there in the industry that are selling Ethernet cables. Therefore, if you are looking for a cat6 Ethernet cable supplier, you need to put various factors into considerations. Cat6 Ethernet cable is one of the most reliable wires in internet transfer, which explains why quality is of utmost importance.

So, what are some of the factors that you will need to consider when looking for a technology company that will be supplying cat6 Ethernet cable in your local store?

Technical Support

If you are in the Internet business, you’re already aware that this is not a theoretical industry. It is a hands-on business that requires individuals with hands-on experience in handling HDMI high-speed cables. Therefore, every time you are looking for a company to supply you cat6 cables, consider a company that will be providing technical support.

A cable supplying company that is willing to provide pre-installation technical support and post-installation technical support should be highly considered.

Warranty

Although cat6 Ethernet cable has no history of being damaged, there is always a probability that the Ethernet cable that you have on your hands could be damaged at any given time. This means that you should order your cables from a company that is willing to provide a warranty for its products. Most of the Ethernet network cable supplying companies around the country offer 2- to 3-year warranties. In this period, most of the Internet cables will be working as expected, and they will be supplying the Internet at very high speed. How about going to a company offering a lifetime warranty? This means your cables will be maintained and repaired by the selling company for a lengthy period.

Different Categories

There are different categories of Ethernet cables that you can consider. If you are looking forward to dealing with Internet cables, you need to hire a company that can supply all Ethernet cable types so that you can have something different to offer to your customers. Remember that customers are different and they have varying tastes and preferences, which explains why you should stock different cables. If you are looking at cables for your consumption, you would also be interested in getting different cables so that you can leverage on speed and durability differences. Some of the different Ethernet cables that you can consider include but not limited to; cat5 cables, cat5e cables, and cat6 cables, among others.

Bulk Cables

Buying Ethernet cables has always remained to be a bonus to both the distributors and users. You cannot order a cat6 Ethernet cable and expect to get quality results. You need to make sure that you order different categories of cables in bulk and ensure that each category has been supplied as you wanted. One of the benefits of ordering in bulk is that you will be getting discounts and bonuses from your distributor. You will also cut a considerable amount that you would have otherwise spent if you were ordering a single cat6 Ethernet cable. You can as well cut on transportation expenses and save time.

Multiple Distribution Centers

As a cable user, nothing is frustrating, like experiencing slow Internet in your office, but you cannot get a similar cable because you don’t have a distribution center from your local area. You don’t want to get frustrated and sometimes experience downtime in your company. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you get your Ethernet cables from a company that has multiple distribution centers so that you can access them easily.

Top 3 Categories of Bulk Ethernet Cable

cat5 cables

When it comes time to set up internet in your office or another large space with a large number of computers, it’s essential to look into your bulk ethernet cable options. Whether you’re experienced with setting up bulk ethernet cables or not, here are a few of the best categories to choose from.

Category 5 Cables

This category does not contain the most advanced Ethernet cables in the industry, but you will still get the necessary service while using them. Cat5 cables transfer internet at a higher speed than Wi-Fi, which means that you can use them for your network without any problem. Cat5 cables are durable and can be effective for more than 10 years.

Category 5e Cables

These are enhanced Ethernet cables that offer much more speed compared to Cat5 cables. Another essential benefit of cat5e cables is that they are able to transfer the internet at higher speed even when they are passing between wires inside the cables. They’re also able to operate in spite of any interference from outside influences.

Category 6 Cables

Cat6 Ethernet cables are the best because their qualities outperform any Cat5 cable. A considerable number of people prefer them as compared to the other two categories. If you feel that your network just needs to function, cat5 cables will do that for you. However, for any speed beyond that, you will have to consider cat5e cables and cat6 Ethernet cables, which will come at additional expenses.

Here are some of the benefits that you will get by choosing our bulk cable as compared to other alternatives in the industry.

Lifetime Warranty

We all know that Ethernet cables need careful handling to function as intended. That’s why we offer a lifetime warranty agreement. We might as well replace broken Ethernet cables with a new one because we would like your Ethernet connection to be top notch.

Technical Support

As a rule of the thumb, we provide technological and technical support to our customers. We want our customers to get the value for their money. For example, we all know that the HDMI 2.0 hardware is supposed to support a bandwidth of a maximum of 18 GB in a second. We help by ensuring that our clients get the maximum bandwidth and the internet connection they have paid for.

Lastly, it is important to highlight that our cables are of the highest quality. For internet speed and excellent connectivity in your network, make sure you’re looking into the right category of cable.

Identifying your power cord

A commonly asked question of our tech support team is for help figuring out the power cable needed for a specific application. We are often met with confusion by the customer when we ask what type of connection they are looking for. NEMA 5-15P, C13, C7, and other terms are not widely known. We’ve put together some brief descriptions and pictures of power cables we carry at CableWholesale. We hope this will be a useful sheet to help people identify what kind of power cable they need:

Common Power Cords (NEMA 120V 15A)

  • NEMA 1-15P: Two-prong plug.
    NEMA 1-15P: Two-prong plug.

    • The Non-polarized version has two equal straight blades.
    • The Polarized version features 2 blades with one being wider.
  • NEMA 1-15R: Two-prong receptacle.
    NEMA 1-15R: Two-prong receptacle.

    • ‘receptacle’ connectors would have holes that would accept a plug with prongs to be inserted.
  • NEMA 5-15P: Three-prong plug.
    NEMA 5-15P: Three-prong plug.

    • Features 2 straight blades with a third round or U-shaped ground pin. The ground pin is longer than the two blades which ensures the device is grounded before the power is connected.
  • NEMA 5-15R: Three-prong receptacle.
    NEMA 5-15R: Three-prong receptacle.

    • This will be what you would typically see in your home (USA & Canada) as a power outlet or on the female end of a power extension cord. You would also see this as the receptacles on a surge strip.

Laptop

  • C7: Figure Eight.
    C7: Figure Eight.

    • Non-Polarized connector featuring a ‘figure 8’ shape with two holes.
    • Although we list as a notebook power cord, the C7 connection is used in many devices.
  • C7PW: Polarized connector.
    C7PW: Polarized connector.

    • Has basically the same shape as C7, but instead of rounded ‘figure 8’ style, one of the sides is flat, allowing the connector to only be inserted one way.
  • C5: Three-pin connector.
    C5: Three-pin connector.

    • Typically connects a laptop power brick to a wall outlet.
    • Polarized connector. The shape of the connector prevents shocks. Sometimes called a ‘Mickey Mouse’ cable due to the resemblance to a certain cartoon character’s silhouette. Also called “cloverleaf.”

Computer/Monitor

Server/Appliance

  • C19: Three-slot connector.
    C19: Three-slot connector.

    • Used in Enterprise-class servers and data center rack-mounted PDUs.
    • Rectangular with four rounded corners, and three staggered blades in the same orientation (horizontal).

Protecting Your Home From Power Surges

When you’re at home, it’s easy to think all of your electronics are safe. But there’s a hidden danger you might not even notice: power surges. One of the most common causes of power surges is lightning, which strikes U.S. soil upwards of 20 million times a year.

Fortunately, there is a way to protect your electronics at home. Keep reading to learn how to use surge protectors to their fullest ability.

surge protectors

There are four types of electrical power disturbances: voltage dips, electromagnetic interference, radio frequency interference, and power surges. Surge protectors are designed specifically to defend against power surges, which are considered to be the most damaging of those four types of power surges.

So how does a surge protector work to defend your electronics? Surge protectors offer protection in joules. So when you see a surge protector with 1,000 joules-worth of protection, it can withstand 10 surges of 100 joules each.

Power surges can offer protection in a few different areas. Since power surges can occur in hot, neutral, and ground lines, it’s important to look for a surge protector with 3-line protection. That way you’re covered on all fronts. In addition, a surge protector with a UL rating of 1449 will likely offer the highest level of protection.

Are you ready to protect your home electronics?