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Unofficial Mackie User Forums => DL1608/DL806/DL32R/ProDX Mixers => Topic started by: Weogo on June 23, 2015, 01:08:32 AM

Title: Cat5E, shielded or unshielded?
Post by: Weogo on June 23, 2015, 01:08:32 AM

Hi Folks,

With the DL mixers, is there any benefit to using shielded or unshielded Cat5E cables?

In one venue cable length is 6', another is 15', another 25', and one it could be about 120'.

The cables will be semi-permanent installs in a couple venues, but in others they will be regularly dragged around, hung up on wall hangers, etc.
Any above-average cables you recommend?
Rapco-Horizon DuraCat looks surprisingly affordable; $65 for 125' with standard connectors.

Anybody using stranded conductors instead of solid?

Have you found Neutrik Ethercons helpful?  I have them installed in one venue.

Thanks and good health,  Weogo

Title: Re: Cat5E, shielded or unshielded?
Post by: Wynnd on June 23, 2015, 02:02:58 AM

As I recall Cat 5 cables are twisted pairs of differing twisting rates.  (To reduce cross-talk.)  Should be quite quiet.  And 6 feet is quite short for a cable that can run up to 200 feet in length without a repeater.

Title: Re: Cat5E, shielded or unshielded?
Post by: musicman7722 on July 02, 2015, 06:14:34 PM

Yes they are all twisted pair and a computer only uses 2 pairs out of the 4 pairs within.  Cat5 has a safe distance of 90 meters.  I think cat6 goes further.

Title: Re: Cat5E, shielded or unshielded?
Post by: Wynnd on July 03, 2015, 04:47:28 AM

90 meters = 295 feet    I've been out of the IT support field since 2000 so things are getting a bit hazy now. 

Title: Re: Cat5E, shielded or unshielded?
Post by: Harpman on July 03, 2015, 07:10:58 AM

CAT6 is 100 meters or 328 ft.  CAT6 is more twists per foot to support gigabit speeds.


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Title: Re: Cat5E, shielded or unshielded?
Post by: Wynnd on July 03, 2015, 12:06:34 PM

When I left IT, Cat 5 was the standard.  I was wondering how Cat 6 was different.  Thanks