Does the length of the Ethernet cable affect the speed of the Internet?

 

Does your use of the Internet require a stable connection? Or that you want to connect more than one device in separate places inside the workplace or in your home, and the Wi-Fi signal cannot cover it? Here, the wired connection "Ethernet" or "LAN" becomes the best and most appropriate option, as it is superior to Wi-Fi in terms of the stability of the connection. But using Ethernet is not as easy as some might think, it's not just a cable you plug in and you're done! Some considerations must be taken into account to ensure a stable and fast connection, including the type and length of the ethernet cable. And the most important question is does the length of the Ethernet cable affect the speed or the quality of service as a whole? In our article, we will answer this question in detail.

 

It is known that the Ethernet cable enables you to connect directly to the Internet or to the LAN of the router, and it consists of copper wires that pass data in the form of electrical signals. Since the Ethernet cable consists of copper, the electrical signals passing through it are attenuated as a result of the resistance, and therefore, all Ethernet wires are restricted to a maximum length. Meaning, if you use an Ethernet cable that is longer than the range it is designed for, you will notice a drop in internet speed, and even, at other times, a permanent disconnection.

 

What is the maximum length of an ethernet cable?

 

As you probably know, Ethernet cables are divided into several categories, each category has its own capabilities and capabilities, the priority of which is the speed of data transmission. For example, CAT-5 can provide data transfer speeds of up to 100Mbps, and as such, CAT-5e can deliver speeds of up to 1000Mbps.

 

All Ethernet cables, regardless of their type and capabilities, have the same maximum cable length, which is 100 meters. This makes sense because the further you go into higher types of Ethernet, the stronger specifications you get, such as providing better isolation to reduce crosstalk, which keeps speeds stable. The thickness of the copper wire also plays a role in reducing the resistance. Therefore, higher grades of Ethernet cable contain thick copper wires or less.

 

Let's highlight three classes that are exceptions to the maximum length problem, namely CAT-6, CAT-7a, and CAT-8. In general, you can benefit from the CAT-6 category, whereas the CAT-7a category is manufactured according to specific standards, so it is unlikely that you may need it as a regular user, and the CAT-8 category, is used in data centers and with units that send data in an image Huge.

 

Although CAT-6 can deliver speeds of up to 1 Gbps at a length of 100 meters, at a length of 37-55 meters (i.e. 121-180 feet), it is capable of delivering speeds of up to 10 Gbps, depending on the intensity of electromagnetic interference. CAT-7a, can deliver speed up to 50Gbps at 50m and descends to 10Gbps at 100m. As for CAT-8, its maximum range is only 30 meters, and its speed reaches 40Gbps.

 

One last thing to keep in mind regarding the length of the Ethernet cable is the "Channel Length". The length of the channel refers to the full length between the device (computer, TV, etc...) and the router, switch, or hub. So, if you are connecting the cable directly between the device and the router "for example", it is not possible to skip the total length, the same as using the joints to extend the length.

 

Is it possible to exceed the length limits of the Ethernet cable?

 

All Ethernet cables are restricted to a maximum length of 100 meters, but this does not mean that the size of the network is restricted. You can use the switch to strengthen the signal so that you can transmit data over greater distances. You can also use ethernet to fiber adapters. Optical fibers rely on glass wires and light to transmit the signal and are less likely to deteriorate or weaken the signal, as is the case with copper wires, so they can be relied upon to transmit signals over greater distances.

 

Although Ethernet cables have a maximum length, this issue should not be a concern for the average user, given that he will most likely not need more than 10 to 20 meters. However, if you have multiple devices and need to run cables over longer distances, it is important to consider the issue of maximum length to avoid performance issues.