Coiling ethernet cable causes latency issues

[tom_1989]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I share my experience. Yesterday, I installed a new CAT6 UTP 50 metre Ethernet cable (24 AWG, 100% copper). I had previously used the cheap 30 metre CAT 5E cables off ebay and never had any real problems but since I was going to all the effort I thought I would go for something of higher quality.

Anyway, after installing it I had 10 metres excess so I decided to coil it tightly using tie raps. My download speed was still over 100 Mbps. But when I started to surf the web and watch youtube videos I started to experience huge amounts of lag.

After I uncoiled the excess cable, the lag issues have disappeared (as far I know). But most of the info from forums say that coiling an ethernet cable won't cause any interference problems, even is the cable is UTP. But unless my situation is just a coincidence, then it surely does, so I thought I would share it with others.

 

[tom_1989]

UPDATE

The lag is still reduced. Prior to uncoiling the cable, there would be a 4-6 second delay in a web page loading (if it loaded at all). Now there's just a split second delay.

The excess of 10 metres was coiled into about 10-11 circular loops and bond tightly together. All I have done now is run the cable back and forth a few times above 3 double wardrobes so that the cable is not touching each-other. Also, there was defiently no other electrical interference near the coil.

I did try to tightly coil a 3 metre cat 5e cable but found no interference issues. This means that the stricter bend radius requirements of the CAT6 is the issue or maybe there is some sort of damage to the cable. Anyway, I'm just glad it working after spending all Saturday fitting it