which CAT6

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I need cat6 cable to run throughout a new build.
Are some Cat6 cables better than others?
Should I go for solid core? Does it need to be shielded?

Thanks All
 
Yes, there are better and worse cables. You should use solid core cables for running through the house. Avoid CCA cables (copper coated aluminium) at all costs.

Use the tool-less keystone modules which will fit the euromod faceplates and also into a patch panel. These will save you countless hours of terminating and re-terminating the cheaper ones using a punch down tool. Buy pre-made patch cables in various lengths rather than try to make your own using a crimping tool.

As it’s a new build, you may as well future proof and go for Cat 6e cables and connectors to make sure you can operate a 10gig network. The additional cost isn’t as much as it used to be. Motherboards, wifi routers and NAS devices are now commonly coming with multi gig Ethernet ports. If you are on a very tight budget, then Cat 5e will work just fine and may well support 10Gbe throughout the house if the cable runs aren’t too long.

Run at least two cables to each room, and at least 4 to any room where you are likely to have a home cinema setup. Even if some of these are just there as backups and not terminated, it’s far easier to run them all now, than having to re-run additional ones later when you are moved in, decorated etc.
 
Excel cat6 cable is one of the better ones. about £120 a box or £100 on ebay inc del. part number 100-070 the purple cable its solid core pure copper.
 
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I disagree regarding CAT6A. CAT6A adds nothing over CAT6 in a domestic install except significant cost. Yes, it will give you roughly double the distance for guaranteed 10GbE speeds (100m vs 55m) but it’s significantly more difficult to terminate because if you want the full crosstalk elimination you need to terminate the shielding as well. It needs bigger ducting and it has a higher failure rate during the install process because folks just can’t help themselves bending the cables too tight. And do you really need anything over 55m in a domestic install?

If you’re concerned enough about future proofing to demand CAT6A then you’re really better off running optical fibres and having 10GbE SFP+ or 25GbE QSFP+ switches in each room. In terms of installation cost there is nothing in it and while the switches will add cost you can always upgrade to 25 or 100Gbps later on.
 
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