On May 31, 2005, at 3:56 PM, James Fraser wrote:
Well, if nothing else...this email can serve as a subject of scorn and
derision I suppose...
Hello All,
I'm in the process of trying to pick up some cheap-a55 Cat 5
Ethernet cable
for home networking.
[holds head in hands]
The problem? The cheapskate in me is currently clashing with the
anal-retentive. >:/
Here's what one seller has to say about his cable:
# 50-micron gold plated connectors to insure a clean and clear
transmission.
# Contact Gold Plating 50u"(Short Body)
ATTENTION : We're selling cables with 50u" module plugs while most
other
sellers are selling cables with less than 10u" one. Higher value
of (u") means
higher quality !!]
My questions (try not to laugh):
What does the "50u" refer to? Is the "u" = "mu" as in "microns?"
Is the point the seller is trying to make: that his cables
(allegedly) have
50-microns of gold plate vs. his competitors, whose cabling has a
paltry 10
microns? Please educate me if I've entirely missed the point here;
I really
am earnestly trying to understand what he's attempting to tell me.
Finally: Is his point _complete BS_...or what?
What I'm hoping for is this: purchasing Ethernet cable is not
something that
one has to fuss over unduly: it's all the same. Everyone (but me)
knows that
Ethernet cabling is, for the most part, a "parity product," and
that there
are three generic factories in China that make it. Any perceived
"differences" are in the packaging and/or entirely in the minds of
anal-retentives.
I can just see myself getting the Ethernet equivalent of "Monster
Cable"...and experiencing *exactly* _no difference_ in performance
(much
like buying Monster Cable for audio applications, or so I'm told).
I would greatly appreciate guidance on this before I turn a simple,
straightforward, quick-and-dirty, cheap-a55 fit of networking into
the most
needless piece of overengineering since the Air Force decided it
was more
important that toilets survive impacts rather than, say, passengers.
Best,
James Fraser
More importantly than the 'u' or whatever rating of the cable is: How
are the connectors made?
I, for one, always make sure to get patch cables that have the
plastic from the connector's strain relief injected into the
connector itself.
I have a tendency to be rough with patch cords and manage to short
out the connectors constantly. The injection molded connectors stand
up a lot better (i.e. most Belkin cables I've seen are made this way)
than the handmade crimp connectors. Although, if it's for in wall and
won't be moved, then any connector should work fine.
As long as the cable is UL Cat5e rated (plenum for in-wall), then go
with the best price you can find.
-Rob
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