Monthly Archives: April 2022

With the popularity of wireless computer connectivity, it’s easy to forget about the advantages that Ethernet-wired networks provide. In the IT world, wired connectivity is still king for most organizations worldwide. Here are five reasons why:

More Secure

As long as firewalls and other security measures protect your wired network, it is safer from unauthorized access than wireless networks are. Your business’s wired network is completely contained, accessible only by connecting a cable to the network from inside your building. Wi-Fi signals are broadcast outside of the building, leaving them potentially open to hackers.

More Reliable

A wired signal is rarely influenced by another wired signal. But with two wireless networks located in promixity, the chances are higher for losing your connection or experiencing latency delays. Also, signal strength is more consistent with wired. Mobile workers who change locations find that their wireless signal strength can vary. Even something like a wall or a large object can affect their signal.

Faster

If you’ve ever transferred large files from one computer to another, you know that it’s usually faster over wired Ethernet than Wi-Fi. Though wireless has gotten faster in recent years, the speed can be inconsistent, and it is still slower than most wired connections. With gigabit routers, wired Ethernet can get up to 1 Gb/s with Cat5e cable and up to 10 Gb/s with Cat6. The speed doesn’t lag with unexpected or unauthorized traffic, since users must connect using an Ethernet cable.

More Control

An organization’s network administrator has more control over user access with a wired system. That makes it easier to ensure t

It usually costs more to buy custom products. At ShowMeCables it can cost less. Our wide selection of bulk cable costs considerably less than shorter, pre-cut lengths. And yet with bulk cable you can wire your installation to the exact custom lengths you need.

Also, with less excess cable, it is easier to install, remove or re-route cords and to troubleshoot wiring problems. Faulty connections are easier to find in a well-ordered installation, which means less downtime during maintenance.

If you decide to try bulk cable, you might wonder what the differences are between our indoor cable and our many CMX-rated outdoor offerings. Following are the top three.

Outdoor Cable Resists Sunlight

A signature feature of outdoor-rated cables is a UV-resistant jacket, usually made of polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Indoor-rated cables have no UV protection, which means that under daily exposure to direct sunlight their jackets would degrade and crack over time.

Outdoor Cable Resists Moisture

Another main feature of outdoor cable is that it is waterproof for protection from the elements. Its PE or PVC jacket has low water absorption. An outdoor-rated CMX cable will protect your connection even if the cable jacket is submerged.

A related option is oil-resistant cable. It is made from materials that will not corrode or break down when exposed to most chemicals or oils that are found in industrial settings.

Outdoor Cable Can Go Underground or Overhead

There are two other types of outdoor cable that can go where indoor cable would not survive for long. Direct burial cable is designed to be installed underground. It is “flooded,” meaning the core is filled with gel that blocks any outside moisture seepage.

Aerial cable is used between two poles in the air. A rigid cable called a “messenger” runs pa