You may come across Ethernet cables filled with gel when you’re looking for the best ones to set up outdoors. This setup may seem shocking if you don’t understand the concept behind it. So, why are some Ethernet cables gel-filled? Continue reading to learn the answer.
Running Ethernet Outdoors
You could find yourself in a position where you need to run your internet network’s Ethernet cables outdoors. This might be due to various factors, such as the desire to connect more areas of your house without a tangle of wires inside or the necessity to link numerous homes or businesses to the same network. However, the conventional Ethernet cable doesn’t have a design to survive the elements since it is built primarily for indoor usage.
Outdoor-rated cables have a specialized design that helps them endure the heat and UV rays they encounter. UV protection is built into outdoor-rated lines to retain cable integrity and avoid damage down the road. As a result, you’ll almost certainly need to use outdoor-rated wires to ensure that they can withstand various weather and environmental conditions.
What Is Direct Burial
In specific environments, it makes more sense to bury your cabling under the ground rather than keep it exposed to the elements, even with the added protection that outdoor-rated cables provide. Direct burial’s interior architecture differs from outdoor-rated in that its framework empowers it to get buried without a conduit. Moisture damage is a significant threat to underground cable, so direct burial’s most notable feature is a waterproof design that protects the Ethernet cable.
What Is Gel-Filled Ethernet Cable
Why are some Ethernet cables filled with gel? Gel-filled Ethernet cable is perfect for direct burial methods. A gel gets pumped into the cable, sealing all gaps and recesses through the structure and coating the interior wire insulating layers to repel moisture and reduce conductor damage.
Essentially, the gel helps prevent any water damage to the cable, making it weatherproof while it lies underground. As a bonus, the gel is also non-toxic to the surrounding environment and will not irritate your skin if you touch it.
Gel-filled cables are the ideal answer for preventing water damage from the environment the next time you run your Ethernet outside. CableWholesale is your one-stop shop for all your bulk Cat5e Ethernet cables that are perfect for connecting devices over longer distances. Feel free to contact us with any questions about our products.
