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Data Cabling
Prepare your business for the future with a long-lasting, high-capacity data cable network ready to grow with you.
Our services
Structured Cabling
Data Cabling Design
We look at your network needs and design a high-performance cabling system that is specifically tailored for your business.
Cabling Installation
Our cabling installation teams cover the whole UK, deploying both copper and fibre optic cabling in warehouses, offices, schools and more.
Highly Organized Cabling
Our cabling is clearly labelled and highly organised, ensuring easy maintenance for your IT team.
Testing
Before we walk away, we’ll put your new network setup through its paces to make sure it meets your needs and expectations.
Data Cabling
Types of Copper Cabling
There are several types of copper data cables commonly used for network and communication systems. These cables vary in terms of performance, shielding, and application. Each type of copper cable is used for specific applications based on speed requirements, distance, and interference factors. Here are the main types:
1. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
- Cat5: Supports up to 100 Mbps at 100 MHz, typically used for basic Ethernet connections.
- Cat5e: An enhanced version of Cat5, supporting up to 1 Gbps at 100 MHz, with better noise reduction.
- Cat6: Supports up to 10 Gbps at 250 MHz over shorter distances (55 meters), commonly used in modern networks.
- Cat6a: An enhanced version of Cat6, supporting 10 Gbps at 500 MHz, with improved shielding and reduced crosstalk.
- Cat7: Supports 10 Gbps at 600 MHz with shielding around individual wire pairs, reducing interference further.
- Cat8: Designed for high-speed data centers, supports up to 40 Gbps at 2000 MHz, with excellent shielding.
2. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
- STP cables: Have additional shielding to protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk, suitable for environments with high interference. These can come in Cat5e, Cat6, and higher variants.
3. Coaxial Cable
- Used for older networks, telecommunication, and cable television. It has a central conductor, an insulating layer, and a metallic shield to protect against interference.
4. Twinaxial Cable
- Used for short-range, high-speed data transmission, primarily in data centers. It contains two conductors inside a single shield, commonly used for connecting servers and storage systems.
Data Cabling
Types of Fiber cabling
There are several types of fiber optic cables used in networking, distinguished by the core size, transmission method, and performance characteristics. The primary types are single-mode and multimode fibers, each suited for different applications. Here are the main types:
1. Single-Mode Fiber (SMF)
- Core Size: Small core (typically 8-10 microns in diameter).
- Light Transmission: Uses a single light path (or mode) to transmit data over long distances.
- Distance: Ideal for long-distance communication, typically over 10 km or more.
- Application: Used in telecommunications, WANs (Wide Area Networks), and data centers where high bandwidth and long-distance coverage are required.
- Common Types:
- OS1: Indoor single-mode fiber, optimized for distances up to 10 km.
- OS2: Outdoor single-mode fiber, designed for distances up to 200 km with less attenuation.
2. Multimode Fiber (MMF)
- Core Size: Larger core (50-62.5 microns).
- Light Transmission: Allows multiple light paths (or modes) through the fiber, resulting in more dispersion and attenuation over long distances.
- Distance: Best suited for short-distance communication, up to around 550 meters.
- Application: Commonly used in LANs (Local Area Networks), data centers, and within buildings.
- Common Types:
- OM1: 62.5-micron core, supports up to 1 Gbps over 275 meters.
- OM2: 50-micron core, supports up to 1 Gbps over 550 meters.
- OM3: 50-micron core, laser-optimized for up to 10 Gbps over 300 meters.
- OM4: Enhanced version of OM3, supports up to 10 Gbps over 550 meters or 100 Gbps over shorter distances.
- OM5: Designed for higher bandwidth applications, supporting up to 100 Gbps over 150 meters, optimized for shortwave wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM).
3. Armored Fiber Cable
- Construction: Contains additional protective layers, such as a steel tube or braided wire, to protect against physical damage.
- Application: Used in environments with heavy traffic, potential damage risks, or extreme conditions like construction sites or underground installations.
4. Simplex and Duplex Fiber
- Simplex: Contains a single fiber strand, used for one-way data transmission.
- Duplex: Contains two fibers, enabling two-way data transmission, often used in applications where both sending and receiving data is necessary.
5. Plastic Optical Fiber (POF)
- Core Material: Made from plastic rather than glass.
- Application: Used for short-range, low-speed applications, often in home networking or automotive systems. POF is less expensive but has higher attenuation compared to glass fibers.
Fiber Optic
Benefits of Fiber
In summary, fiber optic cables offer superior performance in terms of speed, distance, security, and reliability, making them the preferred choice for modern networking, particularly in high-performance environments.
1. Higher Bandwidth
Fiber: Capable of supporting significantly higher bandwidths, allowing for much faster data transmission rates. Fiber can easily handle data speeds in the range of 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, or even 100 Gbps, and beyond.
Copper: Limited bandwidth, typically up to 10 Gbps with Cat6a or higher cables, but performance degrades over long distances.
2. Longer Transmision Distances
Fiber: Can transmit data over much greater distances without significant signal loss. Single-mode fiber can cover distances up to 100 km or more without needing repeaters.
Copper: Signal quality degrades over short distances, with a maximum range of about 100 meters before requiring signal boosters or repeaters.
3. Faster Data Transmission
Fiber: Transmits data using light, which moves faster than the electrical signals in copper cables. This results in lower latency and faster data transmission.
Copper: Slower transmission due to the limitations of electrical signals and potential for higher latency.
4. Immunity to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
Fiber: Immune to electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) because it transmits data as light signals through glass, not electrical signals.
Copper: Susceptible to EMI from nearby electrical equipment, power lines, and other sources, which can disrupt signal quality.
5. Higher Security
Fiber: Immune to electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) because it transmits data as light signals through glass, not electrical signals.
Copper: Susceptible to EMI from nearby electrical equipment, power lines, and other sources, which can disrupt signal quality.
6. Lower Signal Loss (Attenuation)
Fiber: Experiences far less signal attenuation over long distances, allowing for more efficient data transmission without significant loss.
Copper: Suffers from signal loss over longer distances, requiring repeaters or amplifiers to maintain signal strength.
7. Lightweight and Smaller Size
Fiber: Lighter and thinner than copper cables, which makes installation easier, especially in crowded data centers or tight spaces. It also requires less physical space.
Copper: Bulkier and heavier, making it more cumbersome to install, especially for large-scale installations.
8. Durability and Longevity
Fiber: Less prone to environmental damage from moisture, temperature variations, or corrosion, ensuring a longer lifespan.
Copper: More susceptible to corrosion, environmental factors, and physical damage, leading to shorter lifespans and higher maintenance costs.
9. Energy Efficiency
Fiber: Consumes less power since it requires less amplification or signal boosting over long distances. This can result in lower operating costs over time.
Copper: Requires more power for signal transmission, especially over longer distances, leading to higher energy consumption.
10. Future-Proofing
Fiber: More future-proof due to its ability to support significantly higher data rates and distances, making it suitable for evolving technologies like 5G, cloud computing, and high-speed data centers.
Copper: Limited in terms of scalability and future upgrades, especially as bandwidth demands continue to grow.