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Ethernet Cables

Buy Ethernet Cables online from Fruity Cables Ltd. We have been supplying cables all to the UK and Europe for over 8 years to more than 6,000 happy customers. On our website you will find every type of Ethernet cables to best suit your requirement. From Ethernet Patch Cables, Cat5e Cat6 and Cat6a cables from 0.25 mtr up to 50 mtr, to Ethernet bulk cable boxes and reels for lengths from 100 mtr up to 500 mtr all in a vast range of colours and options you will not need to find you cable anywhere else.
If standard lengths and all options available are not enough for you, we also offer bespoke custom made Ethernet Cables. All cables are made in our workshop in the UK. Just visit our custom cable page and let us know your requirements. One of our support team will be happy to assist you and provide the best Ethernet cables at the best price.

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WHAT ARE ETHERNET CABLES?

Since the inception of computer networks, the term ‘Ethernet’ is known as a standard way to connect computers on network over wired connection. The Ethernet cables are used to connect devices such as personal computers, router, switches and hubs on Local Area Network (LAN) or Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). A special type of Ethernet cable used to connect two computers is called crossover cable

BENEFITS OF ETHERNET CABLES OVER WIFI

Using WiFi is more convenient than a wired Ethernet cable, but Ethernet still offers advantages in terms of faster speed, less interference, less latency and increased security which are discussed as follows.

  • Faster Speed: Ethernet cables provide faster speed up to 10 Gbps whereas WiFi technology has maximum supporting speed of 866.7 mbps. Ethernet cables are best to use for fast file transfers between computers.
  • Less Latency: latency time is the reaction time of response between router and your device. In WiFi connections the latency time is high as compared to Ethernet connections.
  • Less Interference: While using WiFi many objects can interfere with signals like neighbour WiFi signals, walls and other obstructions. But this is not in the case of Ethernet cable connection. The interference can be easily fixed and avoided in Ethernet cables.
  • Security:If you are using WiFi, anyone in the range can attempt to connect with wireless router whereas; in case of Ethernet cables physical connection is required to connect to the router.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CAT5E CABLE VS CAT5E CABLE VS CAT6 CABLE: CATEGORIES OF ETHERNET CABLE

Ethernet cables are categorized into different categories. The mainly used categories are discussed in following table. The speed is measured in Megabits per second (Mbps) or Gigabits per seconds (Gbps) and frequency is measured in megahertz (Mhz).

Ethernet cable category

Specifications

Description

CAT5 cable

Speed: 10 Mbps to 100 mbps

Frequency: 100 Mhz

CAT5 cable is the oldest and slowest UTP cable. Now these cables are not available in the stores, but are available with older router or any older networking device.

CAT5e cable

Speed: 10 Mbps to 1000 mbps

Frequency: 100 Mhz

CAT5e is enhanced CAT5 cable with additional increase in speed and reduced interference level. They support upto 1000 mbps or 1 Gbps of speed so they are often called ‘gigabit Ethernet’.

CAT6 cable

Speed: 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps

Frequency: 250 Mhz

CAT6 is successor of CAT5e with few more improvements in speed and frequency. The crosstalk (i.e. internal interference) is also reduced by making more twists in each copper pair. The new network infrastructures are using CAT6, so they are easily available in market. They require Gigabit compatible hardware for their installation.

CAT6a cable

Speed: 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps

Frequency: 500 Mhz

With reduced interference capabilities CAT6a allows connections up to longer range at speed of 10 Gbps. It has a plastic separator spine running in centre that decreases the interference.

CAT7 cable

Length: 100m

Speed: 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps

Frequency: 500 Mhz

These Ethernet wires are used for commercial purpose with maximum speed of 10 Gbps and need certified CAT7 infrastructure, failing to which will degrade their performance.