Data & LAN Cables
Structured data cable (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A) carries Ethernet network traffic over twisted copper pairs, the backbone of any office, control room, or building management network. NLS sources LAN cable to ISO/IEC 11801 and TIA/EIA-568, in shielded and unshielded constructions, for IT and BMS network wiring on Saudi commercial and industrial projects.
Structured data cable carries Ethernet network signal over four twisted copper pairs, with the twist rate and construction quality determining how much bandwidth the cable supports and over what distance before signal loss becomes a problem. Cat5e handles gigabit speeds over the standard 100-meter run, Cat6 supports higher bandwidth and better handles 10-gigabit speeds over shorter distances, and Cat6A extends reliable 10-gigabit performance to the full 100-meter run, which matters more every year as network demands grow.
NLS sources LAN cable to ISO/IEC 11801 and TIA/EIA-568 as the two reference standards most Saudi projects specify against, in unshielded twisted pair (UTP) for standard office and light commercial environments and shielded twisted pair (STP/FTP) where the installation route runs near electrical interference sources, common on industrial sites where network cable and power cable share cable trays or ducts.
On Saudi projects, data cable wires office and building IT networks, building management system (BMS) sensor and controller networks, and increasingly, IP-based CCTV and access control systems that have moved off dedicated coax and onto the structured data network. Cable category selection usually comes from the IT designer's network specification rather than being an open choice, since it has to match the switching and equipment already specified.
A project team sends the cable category (Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6A), shielded or unshielded requirement, and reel length, and NLS returns a priced quote in USD. Structured cable is a standardized, widely manufactured product, and common categories typically source quickly compared to specialty cable classes.
Specifications
- ✓Categories: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A
- ✓Standards referenced: ISO/IEC 11801, TIA/EIA-568
- ✓Construction: unshielded twisted pair (UTP) or shielded twisted pair (STP/FTP)
- ✓Conductor: four twisted copper pairs
- ✓Typical use: IT/LAN networks, BMS networks, IP CCTV and access control
- ✓Shielded variants recommended near electrical interference sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A cable?+
Cat5e handles gigabit speeds over the standard 100-meter run. Cat6 supports higher bandwidth and 10-gigabit over shorter distances. Cat6A extends reliable 10-gigabit performance across the full 100-meter run.
When should I use shielded (STP/FTP) instead of unshielded (UTP) data cable?+
When the cable route runs near electrical interference sources, common on industrial sites where data cable shares trays or ducts with power cable or variable frequency drives.
Who decides which cable category to order?+
Usually the project's IT or network designer, since the cable category has to match the switching equipment and bandwidth requirements already specified in the network design.