Month: March 2019

Here are your Completed Ethernet Types – the Differences between Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat7

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In the world of Ethernet, there’s a lot of misunderstanding between what Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat7 cables are.

Ethernet itself is the wire through which Internet passes through. Any Internet cable is effectively an Ethernet cable. Internet network installers and system integrators, they’re likely familiar with Cat5e and Cat6 cables. Both of which are equipped with RJ-45 connectors which makes them easy to swap in-and-out. They are also the industry standard right now, in home and business Internet connections. That said, speeds are increasing and Internet needs are growing which means a new upgraded standard is coming to be. That’s where Cat7 cables come in.

 

Each of these cables operate a little different, with subtle changes in their design and capability. Category 5e Ethernet cables are UTP-style, have a bandwidth of 100 MHz, and have a max data transfer speed of 10/100/1,000 Mbps. Category 6 Ethernet cables are UTP-style or STP-style, maintains a max data transfer rate of 10,000 Mbps, and is capable of handling a maximum bandwidth of 250 MHz or 500 MHz depending on whether it’s a Cat6 cable or Cat6a cable. Category 7 Ethernet cables utilize a S/FTP-design, a maximum bandwidth of 600 MHz, and they carry a maximum data transmission speed of 10,000 Mbps.

 

Cat5e cables are similar to the Cat5 standard however are a little more advanced. The ‘E’ indicates ‘enhanced’. The design involves better low-noise standards meaning less crosstalk interference from adjacent wires. Cat5e cables are the most common Ethernet network cable used as they’re cost-effective, support an Internet speed faster than what most homes are capable of, and are flexible for small space installations.

 

Cat6 cables are a sizeable improvement over Cat5e cables, carrying significant increases on speed and higher frequencies. The Cat6 cable is more tightly wound as well, sports a thicker sheath in comparison, and has other design improvements. For offices, small businesses, and commercial environments, Cat6 cables are recommended as they provide a stronger performance in this type of high-need workspace.

 

Lastly, Cat7 cables are the Ethernet cable of the future and have been approved as the cable standard in telecommunications. They have extensive shielding, are relatively stiff, and thereby, can be difficult to install. Please note that Cat6a cables perform almost just as well as any Cat7 cable and can be purchased at a lower price so if you have your eyes set on Cat7s, we recommend going with some Cat 6a network cables instead.

 

Shop your favourite Ethernet cables at PrimeCables and receive them at a fraction of the cost you’ll pay elsewhere. Also, any time you shop with PrimeCables, enjoy fast, free shipping to anywhere in Canada on all orders above $49.

Understanding Cat6 Ethernet Cable for your Internet Cable Knowledge

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Replacing your Cat5 and Cat5e networking cables is a smart move as Internet speeds are increasing. Cat6 Ethernet cables are far and away an installation you won’t regret making.

 

Considered the sixth generation of Ethernet cables, Cat6 cables are used today across thousands of homes and buildings all over Canada. Cat6 Ethernet cables are also ‘backwards compatible’ with the Cat5 and Cat5e standard ensuring that any sort of replacement or connection that needs to be made is easily done.

 

Cat6 cables, otherwise known as ‘Category 6’ cables, support Gigabit Ethernet data transfer at one gigabit per second. Up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections can be accommodated over a distance of 164 feet per cable. Inside, you’ll notice 4 pairs of copper wire, used to obtain the highest level of performance. You’ll see that Cat6 cables also carry with them the same RJ-45 connector found on all Ethernet cables.

 

Now, there is an enhanced version of Cat6 cables which are known as Cat6a or ‘Category 6 Augmented’. The augmented version of the Cat6 cable enables 10 Gigabit Ethernet data rates over a single cable run of up to 328 feet – roughly double the distance the original Cat6 cable can handle. If you have the right speed with Cat6 cables but are concerned about distance, Cat6a cables are added certainty. Cat 6a cables cost a little more and are generally thicker however they’re well worth the purchase for some residents.

 

As an alternative to Cat6 Ethernet cables, you may choose to go with Cat5 or Cat5e cables. Although they come at a slightly lower cost, Cat5 cables aren’t as fast as the Cat6 cables. Cat5 cables also lack the advanced technology of their counterpart. For the average home, Cat5e cables are oftentimes enough to get by. For commercial enterprises and business environments, Cat6 cables are a necessity as they provide more support and will carry the high Internet speeds shared on the network. The only limitation on Cat6 cables are the length at which they can perform at before the data transfer rates begin to go down. Alternatively, if you’re replacing Cat5 cables, you’ll immediately notice a big difference in Internet speeds as it’s like day and night. Cat6 cables are up to 10 times faster than Cat5 cables.

 

For high-speed Cat6 Ethernet network cables, there’s only one place in Canada to go and PrimeCables is where it’s at. Shop your Ethernet network needs at PrimeCables and receive fast, free shipping on all orders above $49.

How to Wire Ethernet Cables

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Wiring your own Ethernet cables and connectors can be a good skill to have while saving some time. What you need is, first, your chosen Ethernet cable – whether that’s Cat5 cables, Cat5e cables, Cat6 cables, Cat6a cables, or Cat7 cables. Then, you’ll need some wire cutters, some RJ45s, a cable tester to verify the connection post-installation, and either a punch-down tool if you have fixed wiring or a modular connector crimper for patch cables.

 

How to wire Ethernet patch cables starts with stripping off 2 inches of the sheath. You can untwist the pairs down to what you have exposed. Align the colored wires appropriately. Trim all wires down to the same length, leaving 1/2″ exposed from the sheath. Insert the wires into the RJ45 plug and ensure everything’s connected correctly. Now, crimp the RJ45 plug with the crimper tool. Verify everything’s in place and that the wires are extended to the front of the RJ45 plug. Next, cut the Ethernet cable to length and repeat all these steps again for the second RJ45 plug.

 

How to wire fixed Ethernet cables begins with running the full length of the cable in place, from end to end, leaving some excess. Then, cut the wire to length on one end ensuring some length is left but not too much. Then, strip off 2 inches of the Ethernet cable sheath. Align the colored wires according to design. Use your punch down tools to insert each wire into the jack. Lastly, repeat the above steps for the second RJ45 jack.

 

When it comes down to it, this is the way to wire Ethernet cables. If you’re looking for bulk supplies of Ethernet cables to wire with, pick up your favored length at PrimeCables. You can browse a range of Cat5 cables through to Cat7 cables all available at different lengths. Cat5 cables are sure to provide fast speeds, functionality, and support, particularly in residential homes. In commercial environments or places where there will be multiple people on the network using it in some intense ways, you’re going to require the Cat6 cable at least to keep up.

 

Browsing bulk Ethernet cables, you’ll notice they come in two types – solid and braided stranded cable. Stranded Ethernet cables work better in patch applications for desktop use, as it’s more flexible, more resilient, and easier to work with than solid Ethernet cables. Solid cables are wonderful for longer runs though in a fixed position. Above a ceiling or below a raised floor, solid cables are worth the investment.

 

For all sorts of Ethernet cables in bulk, visit PrimeCables today. Browse your favourites and enjoy ‘free shipping’ to anywhere in Canada on all orders above $49.

Wiring your own Ethernet cables and connectors can be a good skill to have while saving some time. What you need is, first, your chosen Ethernet cable – whether that’s Cat5 cables, Cat5e cables, Cat6 cables, Cat6a cables, or Cat7 cables. Then, you’ll need some wire cutters, some RJ45s, a cable tester to verify the connection post-installation, and either a punch-down tool if you have fixed wiring or a modular connector crimper for patch cables.

 

How to wire Ethernet patch cables starts with stripping off 2 inches of the sheath. You can untwist the pairs down to what you have exposed. Align the colored wires appropriately. Trim all wires down to the same length, leaving 1/2″ exposed from the sheath. Insert the wires into the RJ45 plug and ensure everything’s connected correctly. Now, crimp the RJ45 plug with the crimper tool. Verify everything’s in place and that the wires are extended to the front of the RJ45 plug. Next, cut the Ethernet cable to length and repeat all these steps again for the second RJ45 plug.

 

How to wire fixed Ethernet cables begins with running the full length of the cable in place, from end to end, leaving some excess. Then, cut the wire to length on one end ensuring some length is left but not too much. Then, strip off 2 inches of the Ethernet cable sheath. Align the colored wires according to design. Use your punch down tools to insert each wire into the jack. Lastly, repeat the above steps for the second RJ45 jack.

 

When it comes down to it, this is the way to wire Ethernet cables. If you’re looking for bulk supplies of Ethernet cables to wire with, pick up your favored length at PrimeCables. You can browse a range of Cat5 cables through to Cat7 cables all available at different lengths. Cat5 cables are sure to provide fast speeds, functionality, and support, particularly in residential homes. In commercial environments or places where there will be multiple people on the network using it in some intense ways, you’re going to require the Cat6 cable at least to keep up.

 

Browsing bulk Ethernet cables, you’ll notice they come in two types – solid and braided stranded cable. Stranded Ethernet cables work better in patch applications for desktop use, as it’s more flexible, more resilient, and easier to work with than solid Ethernet cables. Solid cables are wonderful for longer runs though in a fixed position. Above a ceiling or below a raised floor, solid cables are worth the investment.

 

For all sorts of Ethernet cables in bulk, visit PrimeCables today. Browse your favourites and enjoy ‘free shipping’ to anywhere in Canada on all orders above $49.

How to Pick the Right Cables for your Home Network

Andrew the Cable NingaLeave a comment

Building a home network, you may be asking yourself what the right kind of Ethernet cable is for you. Some may also be wondering about the differences between and whether Cat5, Cat6, or Cat7 network cable is preferable. For all of the PrimeCables customers across Canada, we hope to provide some insight here into these questions.

 

For those completely new to Ethernet cables, ‘Cat’ stands for ‘category’. In your home, you probably already have Cat 5 or Cat 5e wire. Although this was once the standard for Ethernet connections, it has since become Cat 6 which is more reliable, has higher speeds, and which is backward compatible with earlier Ethernet cables making it highly adaptable.

 

Now, Cat5 can still be used in some cases and supports gigabit speeds however its performance can be lacking. When you’re connecting Cat5 cable to a Gigabit Ethernet router, you’re really pushing its limits. Cat6 cable is far and away the recommended cable. It can easily handle Gigabit speeds and also carries with it more specifications relating to limitations on crosstalk or system noise than its predecessor.

 

Although the benefits of Cat6 cable are well understood by industry players and Ethernet fanatics, there are many who believe Cat6 Ethernet cable is more difficult to install. Its conductors are twisted more tightly and there’s more insulation to work out. Therefore, one must go slower when cutting the cable. Cost-wise, Cat5 cable is going to be a little bit cheaper than Cat6 however in short, Cat6 networking cable is always going to be our recommendation. The Internet’s speeds are always increasing and you need to ensure you have a cable that can handle what’s happening.

 

Now, if you’re cheap or if your budget is not where it needs to be to afford Cat6 cable immediately, Cat5e should serve you well for now. Cat5e is a little more advanced than Cat5 cable and should be equipped with enough tech to stay around for the next few years at least. That said, down the line, you’ll want to switch out to Cat6 cable to get everything up to par. Thankfully, you can browse all these Ethernet cables at PrimeCables and you can compare lengths, prices, and types according with what you need it for and what you need it to do.

 

Buy Ethernet networking cables online from PrimeCables today and pay a fraction of what you would elsewhere. Get it all on-sale and receive fast, free shipping to anywhere in Canada on orders above $49.

How to Make an Ethernet Cable | Present by PrimeCables

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Have you ever wondered how you can make your own Ethernet cable – well, now you can. Purchasing Ethernet cables are expensive and pre-made lengths can be problematic. You receive either too much or too little.

To get around all those headaches, seek out bulk Ethernet cables which you can cut yourself and connect using RJ45s. This way, you can customize the length without sacrificing any of the design or safety.

First things first though, you need to choose what standard you want. Whether you want Cat5 cables, Cat5e cables, Cat6 cables, Cat6a cables, or Cat7 cables, each comes with different speeds and different costs. To make your own Ethernet cables, you’ll also need a crimping tool.

Now, there are straight-through cables and cross-overs. Straight-through Ethernet cables, otherwise referred to as ‘patch cables’, is perfect for longer wire runs. Then, there are crossover cables which are meant to connect one computer to another device, be it another computer, router, switch, or hub.

To make your own Ethernet cable, cut into the plastic sheath about 1 inch from the end. Then, unwind and pair similar colors. Pinch the wires between your fingers and straighten them. Use scissors to make a straight cut across 8 wires to shorten them to ½ inch from the cut sleeve at the end of the wire.

Now, push all 8 unstripped colors into the RJ45 connector. There should be no short wires. The wires should go all the way to the end. Then, carefully place the connector into your crimping tool and press down on the handles tightly. The copper splicing tabs on the connector should pierce into each of the eight wires. When you remove the cable from the crimper, this end is ready to use. All steps will need to be repeated on the other end.

Any time you’re cutting, crimping, and creating your own Ethernet cable, test them prior to installing. The last thing you want is to have installed your cable only to find out it’s not working and/or there’s something wrong.

An inexpensive Ethernet cable tester can save wasted time and/or effort. Invest in one alongside your crimping tool and you’ll be glad to have it. It’s a gift being able to customize your Ethernet environment like this and it’s exactly how professional installers do so.

Buy bulk Ethernet cable in Canada today from PrimeCables, one of the fastest growing eCommerce sites for all things Ethernet. Browse Ethernet network cables on-sale for a limited time and save on shipping with an automatically applied ‘free shipping’ coupon on all orders above $49.

How to Choose a TV Antenna | PrimeCables Antenna Buying Guide

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An HDTV antenna picks up free over-the-air television broadcasts, as a great way to cut your cable bills and save $100s every year. Most areas in Canada have anywhere from 4 to 20+ channels to tap into.

 

Though not all TV antenna channels come in high-definition, a lot do. In fact, you may find picture quality on an antenna to actually be quite a bit better than a cable or satellite as the signal’s not as compressed. Choosing the right HDTV antenna for your home however comes down to several things.

 

First thing is you want to look up are how many channels are available in your region. This information can be seen online and searched out. Now, there are indoor and outdoor TV antennas. You’ll find many indoor TV antennas work just as well as outdoor antennas and therefore, for most Canadians, it will come down to preference on which one is sought out.

 

The other thing which can determine how many channels you receive, other than your physical location, is how much range your antenna has. Some come with ranges as sizeable as 70 miles out whereas others have much shorter ranges and come at a more affordable price. Browsing the PrimeCables catalogue, you’ll find several TV antennas with different ranges and at different price points. While selecting your favourites, keep in mind price, range, and region.

 

Now, to this last point, a simple indoor TV antenna is going to be good enough for some households. Others will want a larger antenna outdoors which will pick up signals stronger and further away. If you’re concerned about installing an antenna outdoors, shopping an indoor high-definition TV antenna is still a great option. They’re much easier to set up and can be hung on a window, set up beside the TV or on a table, and/or can be completely obscured from view.

 

Something else which could affect which TV antenna you buy in Canada is where the TV broadcast tower is located. In some cases, you may not be able to successfully angle the antenna from indoors and your best bet might be to use an outdoor TV antenna. That isn’t to say you wouldn’t pick up anything on an indoor antenna but just that an outdoor antenna would work better and likely have more power to it.

 

Attention cord cutters! Browse the ultimate selection of TV antennas at PrimeCables. Choose from indoor and outdoor models, all in high-definition and with reaches extending to 70 miles and beyond.

Here is the HDTV Antenna Basic that you Should Know About

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Imagine a basic HDTV antenna for under $6 from an established Canadian-made brand. That’s what you get when you browse the pages of PrimeCables. In our catalogue, you’ll find an amazing HDTV antenna which easily stands up as one of the best in Canada.

 

So what makes it special – well, it’s flat, super thin and easily concealed if you don’t want it on public display. The price is also right, at under-$6. The basic HDTV antenna will pick up FM, VHF, and UHF signals, all free over-the-air and in high-definition full HD quality. The installation is also fast and easy. Unwrap it, plug it in, and scan for channels. Within minutes, you’ll have anywhere from a few channels to 20 or more.

 

Let’s say you want to take things a little further though. Maybe you want an outdoor HDTV antenna, further range to receive more channels, or a different antenna setup. That’s understandable. PrimeCables has plenty of HDTV antennas in a wide range of styles, different price points, and with different features. These are all worth exploring if you’re going beyond the basic. That said, to get started, all you need is a basic under-$6 high-definition antenna!

 

Setting up a TV antenna, you’ll receive TV signals with less compression which means they have the potential to look better than what you see on cable or satellite. There’s also no monthly fees, no monthly bills, and no subscription required. After you have your 1080p HDTV antenna, the rest is absolutely free.

 

If you live within a few miles of a TV broadcast tower, you’re as good as gold. If you’re not and are in a rural area, you may need an HDTV antenna which is outdoors and which may have some additional range to it. This way, you’re most likely to maximize your channel selection. Using the basic HDTV antenna, you can still receive channels in a rural area however there may not be as many. To learn what’s reasonable to expect for your location, input your location online and browse one of the databases relating to broadcast towers and where to position your HDTV antenna. Save $100s this year by getting rid of your cable bill and choosing a TV antenna.

 

Needless to say, the basic HDTV antenna is our top pick and very impressive! At this price point, nothing comes close to the basic in performance. Shop this antenna and dozens of others at Canada’s own PrimeCables today. Free, over-the-air TV is just a purchase away!

HDTV Antenna Selection Guide

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On the average HDTV antenna in Canada, you have the potential to get anywhere from 4 to more than 20 channels. Some of what you can expect to find in channels over-the-air from an antenna include Canadian favourites like CTV and Global, and the big six American networks which are ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and The CW.

PrimeCables’ HDTV antenna selection guide hopes to give some insight into what channels are accessible and what’s possible using your antenna. Now, if you live in a metropolitan area, you’re going to be able to access more channels than if you are living in a rural area. That’s because you will be closer to local broadcast towers. Similarly, if you’re located closer to the US-Canada border, you’re likely to pick up more American stations as well compared to residents further up north.

Now there are indoor and outdoor TV antennas. Indoor antennas work well and can have pretty good range however they are usually not as powerful as outdoor HDTV antennas can be. Depending on what your budget is and whether you want to install something on the outside of your home, one of these options may appeal more than the other.

After you have your antenna in hand and it’s ready to set up, you need to locate where the nearest broadcast tower is. This is where your antenna is going to need to be pointed towards. Thankfully, this information is easily found online. If you have a single tower near you, it’s easy to angle your HDTV antenna in accordance with it. If you have multiple towers and you want to capture stations from both, you may need a multi-directional bay-type antenna. These multi-directional antennas are usually strictly manufactured for outdoor use – another reason why outdoor HDTV antennas often come recommended.

In browsing different antennas, you may see terms like UHF, VHF, etc. In North America, over 75 percent of all over-the-air TV signals are broadcast using UHF signals while 23 percent use high-VHF and the remaining 2 percent uses low-VHF. Keep this in mind when examining the channels which are possible to receive in your area as they will oftentimes indicate what frequency the channel is using.

After you have the right HDTV antenna for the frequencies you want and you know where the broadcast tower, all that’s left to do is install it in an appropriate location and scan your TV for channels. Shop your HDTV antenna with PrimeCables today.

Cat5 vs. Cat6 Cables – What are the Differences

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Cat5 and Cat6 cables are installed in thousands of Canadian households, although few homeowners precisely how they work or what they’re capable of. Homes that need an upgrade may not even know they require one.

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Cat5 and Cat6 Ethernet cables are used to connect computers, servers, and other Internet devices to modems and ISPs. As Internet speeds have progressed in the last decade and a half, Ethernet cables have come a long way as well to accommodate the need for greater performance.

 

Although Cat5 cable has become obsolete, the standard has an alternative in Cat5e which stands for ‘Cat5 Enhanced’. Released roughly 15 years ago, the Cat5e cable provides stronger performance with speeds up to 10 times faster and the ability to travel over longer distances without crosstalk.

 

Comparatively, Cat6 network cables have been around for over a decade and are used throughout numerous networks. Cat6 cables can process 10 Gigabits of data at a time with bandwidth limited to 164 feet. It’s about ten times faster than Cat5e cable. If you’re looking for improvements on distance, there’s also the Cat6a cable which keeps up the same speed over longer distances of up to 328 feet.

 

There are many similarities between Cat5 and Cat6 cables. They utilized a lot of the same hardware, including the RJ-45 Ethernet jack. They plug into the same ports and can easily be switched out one for the other. The materials used to manufacture them is sometimes different. Their capabilities certainly vary. That said, there is a standard for all Ethernet cables out there ensuring that no matter what you’re using, it’s compatible with every Ethernet port.

 

Once a consumer understands the difference between Cat5 and Cat6 cables, their next question’s typically which one do you use – well, it depends. Cat6 cables have better, more advanced technology however if you’re looking to install Ethernet cables in a residential home, you can get by with Cat5e easy. Cat5e cables will meet every need you have, with a capacity to handle speeds your Internet connection won’t even be able to provide.

 

If you’re a small business, office, or commercial enterprise, you’re going to require faster Internet, faster internal speeds, and may have a lot of processing requirements. In most cases, Cat6 Ethernet cables are going to be the way you want to go. They’ll service your commercial needs better and you also won’t need to replace them five or six years down the road when the Internet’s expanded to the point where you need a faster cable.

 

Shop Cat5 cables, Cat5e cables, and Cat6 cables as well as all your network Ethernet cable accessories at Canada’s own PrimeCables.

5 Tricks to get the Best Reception with your TV Antenna

Andrew the Cable NingaLeave a comment

Correct placement of your TV antenna, whether you’re working with an indoor or outdoor antenna, is what’s going to yield the best reception. For some quick tricks and tips on how to maximize your channel pick-up on your TV antenna, here are five things to keep in mind.

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Locate the broadcast towers.

If you don’t know where to aim your antenna, you could be getting as less as half as much channels as you could. Aim your antenna in the direction of the broadcast tower. There are sites online showing where the broadcast tower is in various Canadian regions which can help.

 

Place your HDTV antenna near a window.

The less obstructions between your antenna and the broadcast towers, the better. Yes, ceilings and thick walls count as obstructions. Placing your indoor HDTV antenna near a window is your best bet. They’re your best chance at getting a clean line of sight however beware of heat absorption from the sun which could damage your antenna by bending or warping.

 

Place your antenna high.

To get the best reception, place your HDTV antenna as high as you can. This is why outdoor antennas pick up more channels typically than the indoor alternative. If your TV’s down in a basement, consider placing your antenna on a higher floor with a longer coaxial cable heading down.

 

Keep your antenna away from metal.

Metal can cause interference with the digital signal and block reception. If you place your HDTV antenna near metal burglar bars, a metal bug screen outside the window, or anything metal in close proximity, you may run into trouble. Furthermore, if you have a metal roof, installing an antenna in an attic space or on your roof is unlikely to yield the best results.

 

Testing different placements.

Plugging in your antenna and receiving maximum channel pick-up is unlikely. You may have to experiment a little. Test different locations and find the position you like best. Receiving the best reception, you’re going to need to move things around, scan, re-scan, and keep going.

 

TV antennas from PrimeCables are a cord cutters’ delight! Pick up free, over-the-air TV just like thousands of other Canadians are doing. It comes with no monthly bill, and you can save hundreds of dollars off your utility bills by getting rid of your cable or satellite subscription. There’s no need to mess around with the rising costs of cable TV. Instead, become a cord cutter and choose an HDTV antenna from PrimeCables.