Cat6 or 6a UTP or STP??

tododo · 17 Apr 2017 at 14:18

Hi all

About to get new house extension built soonish and want to run more cat 6 or 6a cable

Put in Cat6 about 10 years ago when we moved in and realise now that I should have laid more runs so as the new extension is going in now is the time to add more

Was hoping to run about 12 more runs

Did think of cat 7 but there doesnt seem to be a requirement for it in the home really

Im upgrading to a proper patch panel too as Ive just rj45 the ends so may aswell do it properly this time

Any 24port Cat6a Patch Panel recommendations??

Not sure what cable to go for either I have been reading that Excel cable is good?? Runs are going to be fairly close to electric so was thinking of sheilded cat 6a?? I will of course try to keep away where I can

Any thoughts??
Thanks

tododo · 17 Apr 2017 at 15:40

So excel Cat6 UTP cable should be ample? I cant remeber where the electric cables are and the existing cat6 - they were close and in some areas we couldnt avoid if I remember right. Will see what we can do when we take up the floor boards again. I dont particulary like drilling big holes through joists either!!! Not very longs runs I would say at most 30m. Will take a scan at those patch panels - I take the patch panels take all sorts of networking cable whether SFTP or UTP??? Not used them before - thanks again

tododo · 23 Apr 2017 at 08:01

Hi again - apologies for reviving this one....still making a decision on buying cable was just about to go for UTP Cat 6.....but still not sure. You read different things on different websites ie for 10gig spec you will have to use screened cable and what not. The excel cable has a HUGE difference in price when going from CAT6 UTP to the CAT6a standard too howeever I see 100m of CAT 7 (on website after a rainforest) for around £75. Dont mind buying Cat6 at all but just want to make sure that its not going to be substandard for the future. Definately want it to be 10Gig spec I would say (JUST IN CASE) its needed.

tododo · 23 Apr 2017 at 18:43

Thats potentially one application I would use yeh. Thats about it to be honest at present but just want to future proof as much as I can really and get the best cable for a reasonable price.

tododo · 23 Apr 2017 at 19:29

Good point guys - decision made then - there will be a bit of trunking visible as I cant be bothered chasing out and then once its in the floor boards it will then be put in some sort of conduit to the final termination points - possibly drainpipes so yeh upgrading in future shouldnt be an issue if its needed

Cat6 UTP it is then - thanks again all - common sense prevails!