There is a lot of misleading, inaccurate information in the world of fiber optic cables. For such an integral part of any operation’s technology setup, it’s a shame that many core points about fiber optic cables are misrepresented or overlooked. With our simple tips, you can take yourself one step closer to understanding the current technological landscape so that you make the best choices for you and your company.

In the simplest terms, fiber optic cables provide the foundation of your network, whatever the application may be. They transfer data and maintain network connections. They are made of copper and metal and coated with protective plastic that ensures your setup is able to resist elements like harmful UV rays and extreme hot or cold temperatures. Fiber optic cables also provide communication between telephone systems and transfer data over the internet. Although they are often overlooked, fiber optic cables are a crucial part of any productive work environment in today’s world.

There are a few basic considerations when it comes to the types of fiber optic cables that are available to you as a consumer. A zip cord fiber optic cable is often a great choice for a wide range of applications. This cable joins two or more connectors with a plastic jacket. The main advantage to such a design is that signals can be kept separate and you can avoid ending up with a tangled mess of ugly cables that make your workspace more cluttered than it needs to be.

Surge protectors are an equally important component of complex technology setups, whether in offices, small businesses, or home studio setups. Electrical safety should not be neglected, regardless of the size and scale of your endeavor. According to data from the Electrical Safety Foundation International, 82% of surveyed professionals reported that surge protection is a necessary part of protecting expensive equipment. Putting systems in place to ensure that your devices are protected is a simple step you can take upfront that will often end up saving you valuable time and money further down the road.

As you can see, everything from your networking cable to your power protection should be considered as you optimize your setup. If you’re looking for a reliable company to help you as you sort out your cables, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

As consumers, it’s easy to get distracted by the flashy appeals of modern technology. Often times a bright, colorful design feature can blind you to the functionality concerns of a device. Unfortunately, this means that the quality of things like ethernet cables are readily overlooked in today’s electronic marketplace. If you find yourself neglecting the cables you use to charge your devices and connect to the internet, then our simple tips will get you started on educating yourself so you can be a more informed consumer and make the right choices that will ensure your devices work to the best of their capabilities.

There are a few universal concepts that apply to all different types of cables. Take cell phone charging cables as an example. The quality of cable is as important as how you use the cable. It’s never a good idea to wait until your phone gets close to a 0% battery charge before you recharge it. According to expert recommendations, waiting until your phone gets down to around a 35% or 40% charge and then plugging it into a charger is the best way to charge your phone. Of course, the charging cable that you use will have an effect on the quality of your charge. You don’t want to cut any corners and waste your time with lackluster cables, as a bad cable can quickly short out, die, or even damage your device. In this way, ethernet cables, USB cables, and charging cables for your phone all share similar quality considerations on the part of the user.

Ethernet cables are often overlooked when people install new internet connections or rearrange their setup. Though many types of ethernet cables are available today, a few different classifications are best to be aware of. Cat6 ethernet cables provide higher speeds when compared to their predecessors Cat5e and Cat5. Cat6 cables also deliver more frequencies. However, a common disadvantage to this category of ethernet cable is that they are a bit more difficult to install. Cat5e ethernet cables can provide up to 1Gb/second speeds at 100MHz frequencies, which is excellent for users who like a little more speed on their connections. Cat5 cables are a solid option for those who don’t need the latest and greatest, as they are durable, functional, and tend to last for quite a long time, up to 10 years in fact. Keeping these cables in mind as you shop around will ensure that you have a working knowledge of some basic ethernet cable categories.

Regardless of your usage, choosing the right cables will have a dramatic impact on your overall productivity and workflow. With cables that work at sufficient speeds, last a long time, and provide you with options, you can be sure that your devices get the functional attention they deserve. If you’re looking for quality cables from a company you can trust, then contact us today.

Our cell phones power our day to day lives, making their charging cables essential to our daily activities. Different phones have different charging ports, requiring different cables that function very differently from one another. These smartphone cables have different abilities, speeds, and characteristics. If you’re in the market for a new cell phone, or just want to learn more about cell phone cables, here are the top 3 types of cables you will encounter and a little information about each.

Micro-B Cables

Micro-B cables are one of the most common versions of micro USB, powering most Andriod cell phones and portable electronics (speakers, cameras, headphones, etc). There are two variations of the Micro-B cable: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. The most common one is USB 2.0, supporting a transfer rate of 480 Mbps. The USB 3.0 variation is much less common, mainly used for external hard drives because it has higher transfer speeds.

USB C

USB C is one of the newer USB cables on the market. This type was introduced in 2014, and has since become more and more common in both laptops and flagship phones. USB C cables can support up to 100W (20v 4A) of power transfer, allowing laptop manufactures to use this type of cable for both power and data. Speaking of data, USB 3.0 Type C cables can support transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps, with the newer 3.1 version doubling that to 10 Gbps. By using different types of adapters, different cables can pass through, anything from normal USB A cables to Ethernet cables. Using these as cell phone cables allow for both higher transfer speeds from your phone to computer (or vice versa), as well as fast charging capabilities.

Lightning Cables

Almost 395 iPhones are sold every minute, and to power those devices, Apple has their own type of proprietary cell phones cables: the lightning cable. These cables also extend to their line of iPads, powering those alongside many Apple peripherals from their keyboards and mice to pencils and Airpods. On top of the normal power and data transfer, the lightning port can be used to transmit audio, through either an adapter or set of proprietary earbuds. While lightning cables are able to charge the newer iPhones extremely quickly, many consumers are upset about Apple’s choice to use these over USB C, due to the great transfer speeds, universality, and usability of USB C.

Understanding the different cell phone cables on the market can be a deciding factor in choosing a new phone, with how much dependency is placed on charging and data transfer. Regardless of the type of phone you have or cable you need, be sure to choose only the highest quality cables, ensuring the safety of your phone and a long time until you have to search for a new cable.

Ethernet is the technology that allows devices in a LAN setting to communicate with each other. To install ethernet, you’ll need a router, switch, ethernet cables, RJ-45 end, and computers. Proper installation and configuration of your ethernet connection increases the productivity of an organization because it makes sharing of data and information fast and conveniently.

However, choosing the right cable can be difficult. When selecting ethernet cables, there are factors you must put into consideration, and they are as follows:

1. Cable Category

Ethernet cables fall into different categories. If you have a small scale business, you will need a Cat5e which transmits 1Gb/s at a frequency of 100MHz. The cable eliminates interference during data transmission, but it’s not shielded. However, if you have a large business and require a larger bandwidth transmission, consider investing in Cat6 cables.

2. Shielded or non-shielded

Why is shielding important? Shielding is necessary when your data is at risk of noise and magnetic energy interference. Therefore, if you are setting up an ethernet connection in a high interference environment, you will need a shielded cable like Cat6a.

If your data transmission is low or isn’t a priority, then you can consider an unshielded cable. It might not reduce interference since it lacks shielding, but cancels out electromagnetic interference.

3. Length

Depending on the size of your room, you can buy a 75ft ethernet cable to 500ft ethernet cable. The point is, buy a cable slightly longer than you require because someday you might need to reroute it or move further in your room.

4. Supplier

Shopping online for ethernet cables allows you to compare the same product from different suppliers. Besides, you get to pick the best cable at a fair price.

5. Solid or stranded

Solid ethernet cables use one piece of solid copper for each conductor, while stranded combines several intertwisted wires. Solid cables should be used where there is less or no movement expected to avoid breakage. On the other hand, stranded cables are flexible and therefore can be moved frequently. You can use solid for permanent runs such as from a patch panel to, say, a surface mount box/faceplate, while a stranded is used for patch cables, which bridge permanent links.

Bottom line

The internet has become a necessity in running any business, whether on a large or small scale. Besides, a research that was conducted by the Pew Research Center stated that 77% of Americans use the Internet daily. Clearly, the internet is becoming a necessity to achieve daily goals.

Additionally, employees can share data and information over a network, which reduces paperwork. Besides having an internet connection, there is a need to install it correctly to maximize speed and uninterrupted data transfer. Whichever reasons you choose to establish an ethernet connection, do it right, and above all, invest in good cables.

Depending on your lifestyle, you may not deal with Ethernet cables on a day to day basis. Most people rely on Wi-Fi for internet connectivity in today’s age. However, the Ethernet cable is a cornerstone for everything from home use to corporate servers.

Ethernet started out very modestly, as a means to connect a series of printers to a computer. It has since transitioned into supplying internet to a countless number of people around the world.

When looking at Ethernet cables, you’ll encounter “Cat” on each cable. This is an abbreviation for the word “Category,” and is commonly followed by a number, which can be followed by a letter in some cases. In general, the higher the number, the faster the speeds and the higher the frequencies. The most common categories include Cat5e and Cat6, with Cat8 being defined for use in the server rack and/or datacenter.

The Ethernet cables used for home and work are most likely made up of pairs of wires that are twisted together inside of the cable. Both Cat5 and Cat6 cables use this. By doing this, the wires in each pair balance the surrounding electrical field, as one wire’s current is moving in one direction, and the other wire’s is moving the opposite way. In some cables, a shield is placed around each pair in order to prevent cross-talk between pairs and reduce other sources of outside interference. This helps maintain the base level of performance regardless of what electrical forces may be at play.

Going even further inside of the cable, the individual wires themselves might be different from cable to cable. For the wires, there are two different types: solid and stranded. A solid wire uses one single piece of copper. It isn’t the most flexible, however, it is more durable than stranded wire. Solid wires are used for “permanent” runs, while stranded wires are used patch cables that bridge devices to permanent links and vice-versa. A stranded wire uses a series of copper strands that are twisted together, allowing the wire itself to be more flexible, being much more conducive to moving.

Whether you connect your desktop at home for faster speeds or use Ethernet at your business to stay reliably connected, these cables have become one of the keystones of internet connectivity. With this knowledge, buying Ethernet cables will be a lot less daunting, and you’re better equipped to understand which will be the best for your needs.

As a digitally connected culture, how we work is as important as what we choose to work on. The technological setup and network configuration is a crucial piece of any business environment in today’s world. With a bad setup, you easily lose valuable chunks of time, energy, and resources. But when you ensure that your technology is up to date, every aspect of your business enjoys tremendous returns in the form of extra time, increased productivity, and an improved potential for upward growth. When it comes to ethernet cables, it’s easy to get confused and misled, which typically leads most businesses to cutting corners that end up costing them in the long run. When you understand the three main types of ethernet cables, and the unique advantages offered by each, you will be much more prepared to make the choices that enable and empower all parts of your business.

The invention and implementation of fiber optic cables have revolutionized the way the world conducts business, regardless of the industry. The very first fiber optic cable in recorded history was used to connect the U.S. to France and Britain in the year 1988. Since that point, hundreds more have been installed all across the globe. This is important because there have been vast improvements to cable technology since the invention of the fiber optic cable.

Cat5 Cables

Perhaps the most common type of cable that you will encounter in today’s market is what’s known as a Category cable, more commonly referred to as cat cables. In the world of Cat cables, Cat5 cables are the most basic option and are not readily available as they have been replaced by Cat5e. While they are not the newest variety of cable, and they don’t offer the advantages of Cat 6 cables bulk (more on that later) they are far superior to connecting to the internet with a WiFi connection. If your business is not in need of all the latest features, then Cat5 cables are a great option, as they deliver adequate speeds and last up to 10 years when properly installed and handled. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more difficult to find Cat5 cables for sale.

Cat5e Cables

If you’re in need of a slightly better networking cable, then Cat5e Cables are a great option. This category is differentiated in name by the “e” which stands for enhanced. Why are these cables enhanced? Well, they offer better connection speeds, up to 1GB/second at 100MHz frequencies. These cables are a great option if you need something faster than Cat5, but don’t have room in your budget for Cat 6 cables bulk. Cat5e is a great choice for businesses that have more network demand than the typical business environment.

Cat6 Cables

As you have probably guessed, Cat6 cables offer speed and performance that you won’t find in the other two cables we’ve discussed so far. With these cables, you can enjoy higher speeds and less crosstalk over your network. While they are a bit more expensive up front, and take a little more work to install, they are your best option if you want the best performance from your connection. To offset some of the costs associated with purchasing and installation, it’s wise to use a dealer that offers Cat 6 cables bulk.

Regardless of your business goals, using the right cables is an important piece of network infrastructure. By informing yourself and purchasing cables through a reliable company, you can be sure that your network performs to meet the standards of your operation.