Data & Communication Cable Categories

Wire & Cable Blog19

1. High-Speed Data Transmission

Ethernet Cables

  • Cat5e (ISO/IEC 11801/TIA-568-C.2):
    • Bandwidth: 100 MHz
    • Speed: 1 Gbps
    • Applications: LAN, VoIP, CCTV.
    • Jacket: PVC/LSZH (CM/CMR/CMP ratings).
  • Cat6A (TIA-568.2-D/ISO/IEC 11801):
    • Bandwidth: 500 MHz
    • Speed: 10 Gbps (55m for 10GBASE-T).
    • Design: Foiled twisted pair (F/UTP), 23 AWG.
  • Cat8.2 (IEC 61156-8/ANSI/TIA-568-C.2-1):
    • Bandwidth: 2000 MHz
    • Speed: 40 Gbps (30m for 40GBASE-T).
    • Applications: Data centers, 25/40GbE switches.

Fiber Optic Cables

  • Multimode (IEC 60793-2-10):
    • OM3 (850nm): 10 Gbps @ 300m, aqua jacket.
    • OM4 (850nm): 10 Gbps @ 550m, 100 Gbps @ 150m.
    • OM5 (Wideband): SWDM support (850-953nm).
  • Single-mode (ITU-T G.652.D/G.654):
    • OS2 (1310/1550nm): 10/100 Gbps @ 80km+, low attenuation.
    • Bend-Insensitive (G.657.A2): 7.5mm bend radius, FTTH/FTTA.
  • Armored Fiber:
    • Indoor/Outdoor: Corrugated steel tape, IP67-rated connectors.

2. Broadcast & Security Cables

Coaxial Cables

  • Low-Loss (IEC 61196/UL 1655):
    • RG6: 18 AWG, 3 GHz (CCTV/SAT).
    • LMR-400: 0.405" OD, 6 dB/100ft @ 900 MHz (5G backhaul).
    • Additions: LMR-600 (0.875" OD, 4 GHz).
  • High-Flex (MIL-C-17):
    • RG-179: 1.3mm diameter, medical/robotics imaging.

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

  • PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at):
    • Power: 30W (Type 2), 4-pair 100m.
  • PoE++ (IEEE 802.3bt):
    • Power: 90W (Type 4), 8-pair 100m.
    • Applications: PTZ cameras, LED lighting, access points.

Security & Surveillance

  • Siamese Cables:
    • RG59 + 18/2: Composite video + power (CCTV).
  • HD-SDI Cables:
    • 3G-SDI: 1080p @ 100m, Belden 1694A equivalent.

Supplemental Products

  • Industrial Ethernet (IEC 61784-5-3):
    • PROFINET/Modbus: Cat6A SF/UTP, IP67 M12 connectors.
  • Tactical Fiber:
    • MIL-DTL-24643: Field-deployable, crush-resistant.
  • Plenum-Rated Cables:
    • CMP/OFNP: Low-smoke/zero-halogen (NFPA 262/UL 910).