Best Tools to Test Blackweb CAT6 Flat Network Cable
High-quality cables are very important for networks. Various categories of network cables are available at present. Blackweb CAT6 flat cables have a great reputation for network applications. However, no network cable should be used without testing. For CAT6 cables, there are various cable testers like iMBAPrice, ELEGIANT, Klein Tolls, Zoostliss, and Noyafa, etc.
Main Difference Between Flat and Round Ethernet Cables
For network cables, flat and round Ethernet cables are popular and efficient. There are some differences between these two cables.
Flat Ethernet Cable
A flat Ethernet cable is a copper wire with twisted pairs in a flat form. The twisted pairs have a side-by-side arrangement. These cables are usually unshielded, so a flat Ethernet cable’s external EMI protection isn’t readily available as the shielding tendency naturally provides round cables with safety against external EMI.
Round Ethernet Cable
A round Ethernet cable consists of insulated wire in a round form, and the wire contains layers of filler substances for keeping the original circular form, which is effective in reducing the heating due to friction. The filler substances protect the cord from some outer elements.
Flat Ethernet Cable Vs. Round Ethernet Cable
Both the flat and round Ethernet cables have some advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to analyze these two cables.
- Round cables are effective in reducing heat due to having layers of wires and some other materials. Flat cables aren’t much effective as compared to round cables.
- A flat Ethernet cable’s conductors can maintain constant electrical quality and physical strength. A round Ethernet cable struggles in this case.
- Round Ethernet cables have fillers or cables with low friction, so they can reduce weight and volume. Flat cables don’t have this quality.
- Round Ethernet cables have better durability, and their installation process is easy. However, flat cables aren’t very effective considering these factors.
- Flat Ethernet cables need more maintenance than round Ethernet cables. A flat cable also struggles in providing high uptime as compared to a round cable.
Which is Better Between CAT 5/5E or CAT6?
Among network cables, CAT5/5e and CAT6 are very popular. These cables have a wide range of uses.
CAT5e has significantly improved performance as compared to the CAT5 standard, including a maximum of 10 times quicker speed and better distance traversing without being affected by crosstalk. Typically, a CAT5e cable contains twisted pair wires of 24 gauge supporting segmented Gigabit networks for a maximum of 100m distance.
CAT6 Cable
This cable is a standardized twisted pair cable, which has backward compatibility with CAT3 and CAT5/5e cable standards. CAT6 has the feature of segmented Gigabit Ethernet for a maximum of 100m distance, but it’s usable in 10-Gigabit networks for a limited distance.
Better Cable Between CAT5/5e and CAT6
Considering bandwidth, CAT6 is better than CAT5e because CAT6’s operating frequency is up to 250 MHz, and CAT5e’s operating frequency is 100MHz.
Considering crosstalk, CAT6 is also better than CAT5e. CAT6 cables feature very stringent specifications for system noise and crosstalk. However, a CAT6 cable’s price is 10% to 20% higher than the price of a CAT5e cable.
Considering all factors, CAT6 has better features, but at the same time, CAT5e is available at a little cheaper price.
How to Test the Quality of Ethernet Cables with Network Cable Tester NF-8209
If we want to test Blackweb CAT6 cables, there are various cable testers like iMBAPrice, ELEGIANT, Klein Tolls, Zoostliss, Noyafa, etc. However, NF-8209 is a strong candidate to be the best tool for testing CAT6 cable. NF-8209 supports various testing methods like cable length testing, wire map testing, PoE testing, cable tracing, etc.
Cable Length Testing
NF-8209 is great in cable length testing and fault detection for LAN cable with a range of up to 200m. The cable measuring test is specially designed for LAN cabling with termination to RJ-45 connectors. Four wire pairs are present in this type of cabling, and the tester measures each wire’s length. The tester supports CAT6 (UTP & STP) cables. The tester’s accuracy is ±1.6m. In this test, the measured cable has a connection at one end the other end is open.
In this test, the tester sends signals through every wire in a twisted-pair copper cable to find out if the cable has a connection to the right pin at every end. The tester performs the wire map test by connecting the CAT6 cable being tested between the WIREMAP testing box and the CONT port. According to the device specifications, the test works up to 600m. The tester can test short, open, cross, etc., for UTP and STP cables.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) Testing
PoE helps network cables to carry electrical power over running data connections. There are many PoE standard versions, and things can go wrong in applications, so it’s necessary to have tests for debugging. There are many PoE testing features in NF-8209. The tester can identify and detect PoE standards. The tester can also test technical specifications like PoE voltage, power supply mode, power supply polarity, etc.
Cable Tracing
NF-8209 can trace CAT6 cables. For tracing a cable, the product can have a rating as a midrange toner having digital and analog modes. Three scan modes (PoE mode/ Analog mode/ Digital mode) are present on the device’s list. Both digital and analog toning work ok. The main unit functions as a signal transmitter, and a receiver listens to the signal.
NF-8209 supports a wide range of testing methods for the Blackweb CAT6 tests. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best testers available now.
