It’s important to note that the biggest difference between outdoor and indoor cables is the jacket. This article will specifically discuss outdoor vs. indoor Cat6 network cables and their uses.

Indoor

Cat6 cables are most commonly used because of their increased connectivity, as they’re the next generation from Cat5e cables. While residential settings may use these, it’s much more common to use these cables in industrial or commercial facilities. This is because businesses often need the best quality connection possible to serve their customers efficiently. Another thing to note about indoor cables is that since they’re designed for indoor use, they’re also typically designed for shorter connections. Though others will say differently, indoor cables should never be used for outdoor installation, and this includes burying them.

Outdoor

To reiterate, the main difference between indoor and outdoor cables is the outer jacket. The jacket on outdoor graded cables are specifically designed to handle the weather and temperature changes. For example, an outdoor Cat6 cable can be buried and will last for many years, and it can handle the temperature changes underground. If you do not plan on burying the cables, that’s okay too, because they can also withstand UV rays. Some have mistakenly made the argument that you could use indoor cables and put an exterior paint over them, however, that will not work, and it certainly won’t last. In general, outdoor cables should always be used if the cable will be near any outdoor elements such as humidity, moisture, UV rays, and changing temperatures.

In other words, the question of outdoor vs. indoor Cat6 network cables answers itself. The indoor cables are typically used for shorter distances and in office buildings or factories. Outdoor cables, on the other hand, are designed for outdoor use. These have a stronger jacket that can hold up against the environment and it’s elements, which is a huge benefit when burying cables.