SG Broadband Community

When buying bulk cat5e cable, is stranded better or worse than solid? also, is sheilded cat5e better for runs **not** in pvc conduit?

Thanks

I may be wrong, but it's my understanding that solid gives you better signals than stranded, but stranded is more flexible. With solid, you have to make sure you don't bend the cable or have it make sharp turns, or the wire inside could break, and you'd have a helluva time figuring out what was wrong. As far as shielding goes, I have no idea.

Solid copper is better, primarily used for home runs (wall socket to patch panel). Then patched (stranded) to the desktop.
Solid copper cable can be used for long runs(50-300ft), where stranded is used more on short runs (5-50ft) or so (mainly used for patch cables).

Shielded IS better, but not necessary. Just don't run the cable over any electrical devices, you'll be ok.

Like ncswimmer says, don't bend the solid copper (2" radius max) or the copper will/can crack and cause signal strength issues, even total loss if bent too far (rare tho)

Thanks guys,

Just the kind of information I was needing.

Thanks again

No prob.