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Tech Tips
Shielded Network Cabling and Components

Ethernet networks are pushing into areas that traditionally have not been friendly to data communication. Today’s networks span both office and industrial areas. For this reason, L-com has expanded our selection of shielded cabling products to help meet these new demands. In this newsletter I will discuss what the different options are for shielded cables and where or why you might need them.

What is shielded network cable?

Traditional category 5E or category 6 cables have four twisted pairs and no shield. With shielded products, a shield layer is added to help reduce interference to network signals. There are several different types of shielding found on network cabling.

Where do I use shielded cable?

The choice of a shielded cable or non-shielded cable often comes with experience. The electrical environment around the area you are installing the cable determines what is the best choice for that job. An area such as a production/factory floor where heavy equipment is being used is a prime example of a place where you might consider a shielded cable.

Extending an Ethernet Network
Traditional 10/100Mbps Ethernet networks utilize Category 5,5E and 6 copper cabling which has a distance restriction of 100 meters before you must repeat the signal with a repeater. In many cases large buildings, campuses and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) require connection distances covering thousands of meters.
One of the most popular methods of extending an Ethernet network is to use fiber optic cabling.
   • Multimode fiber cabling can transmit data up to two Kilometers
   • Single mode fiber can extend a network up to 100 Kilometers
Advantages of Fiber over copper cabling:
   • Longer distances supported
   • Immunity to EMI/RFI and lightning
   • More secure than copper cable, harder to tap
Another widely used technology for extending an Ethernet network is wireless extension. By utilizing special external high-powered antennas, you can extend an Ethernet network up to 40 Kilometers! This is a great way to extend remote networks that may be far away from phone and cable lines.
Modulated Channels Fuzzy?
Most cable companies are switching to digital to compete with DBS systems.  These digital cable systems operate by adding a digital cable box much like a DBS receiver, the digital cable box enables the consumer to watch digital channels. Where the problem arises is when one of these digital consumers add a modulator for camera's and satellite receivers to view throughout the house.  These pictures will now come in fuzzy!  The reason is because the digital cable is broadcasting in the same frequency range.  To solve this you will need an inexpensive part called a low-pass filter.  This low-pass filter will block all frequencies above a given channel range, creating a clean white-board to place new modulated channels.  As the digital environment grows the use of low-pass filters will increase. Call us today if you have more questions on how to filter selective channels.
 

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