Are my CAT5 and router my weak link?

Al, Thank you. I often tend to think in absolute terms while boundaries in reality are not that sharp. Tubeking sugested that shielding might compromise twist density making it worse instead of better. It is easy enough to compare since Ethernet cables are not expensive. I would use shortest possible cable as far as possible (since field drops rapidly (inverse square) with the distance. I would also avoid setting router at full power in close proximity if there is no need for that (no dropouts).

Do shielded cables require special connectors? I thought that plug has 8 pins (4 twisted pairs) with no room for the ground. Ground would have to somehow clip to chassis.

Do shielded cables require special connectors? I thought that plug has 8 pins (4 twisted pairs) with no room for the ground. Ground would have to somehow clip to chassis.

Hi Kijanki,

Excellent question. The connectors on all of the shielded ethernet cables that I have seen have metallic housings, that are presumably connected to the shield. And when inserted into the ethernet connector on all of the computers I am familiar with, that housing will contact a metallic tab which is in turn grounded to the chassis.

Best regards,
-- Al

I had my PWD system wired with CAT 5. It sounded good. Then I started adding CAT 6 with each piece it sounded better. I thought I was done. Then I saw CAT 7 on Amazon. I tried a piece or two. Drat it sounded better. Now I'm slowly replacing every thing with CAT 7. Anyone need some wire?

I am jumping ship when CAT10 hits the market. Meanwhile, am am sorting out the directionality of my fuses.

08-07-12: Sgr
...I saw CAT 7 on Amazon. I tried a piece or two. Drat it sounded better.

This comment made me buy some CAT 7. Today I changed the 50 foot run between my computer and my ethernet switch. I replaced shielded CAT 6 with CAT 7.

To begin with, it improved my internet speed by about 3Mbps. Theory? Maybe...

Better shielding = less RFI/EMI = fewer errors = fewer resends = faster speed.

Also, it sounds better. More resolution. More relaxed at high volume. Too audible to be placebo, IMO. Maybe...

Better shielding = less RFI/EMI = ??? = less jitter.

Don't know what "???" is.

Bryon