Outdoor Network Cables for Changing Seasons

Outdoor ethernet cables will face abuse from the elements presenting increased likelihood for damage or disconnection, posing a very real threat to your data network. They must be sturdy and reliable in order to last. Cables.com stocks the best outdoor network patch cables for the most affordable prices on the market. 

It's officially autumn in the Northern hemisphere, and changing weather brings with it new sources for wear and tear on your outdoor cables. Whether you’re powering your hobby or your livelihood, it’s important to invest in safe, reliable cables like the ones you can find on Cables.com that are specifically manufactured for outdoor use. There's no one "best" outdoor internet cable - the right cable for you will depend on your setup and your needs. 

Outdoor Network Cables

Outdoor Ethernet Cables

Depending on the size and build of your work space, running indoor network patch cables might be difficult or even impossible. But have you considered having your ethernet or fiber optic cables set up outdoors instead of in? While your first instinct may be to balk at the idea of installing valuable cables outdoors, this can be done safely and affordably when you're shopping from Cables.com.

Ethernet Cables belong to a class of wired computer networking technologies remaining in popular use today. They were originally developed in the 1970s and have evolved a great deal since. This has meant increased speed, bandwidth, and reliability, with many cables offered with a protective layer called shielding. Today, the most commonly installed ethernet cables are Cat6 or Category 6 ethernet cables, which makes them the industry standard. Cat6 and Cat6A cables are capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 10Gbps compared to the original 10Mbps - a huge technological leap! 

In many cases, the outdoor ethernet cable will be buried rather than running through the open air, but it will depend on the application. In both cases, the choice of ethernet cable is critical to ensuring a secure connection that will endure the elements. 

Cat6, or Category6 ethernet cables are still the industry standard for data center installations. We stock outdoor Category6 ethernet cables that are shielded and rated for direct burial. You can be sure that the high quality jacket of the cable will withstand years of harsh weather, whether in your backyard, around the siding of your house, or in a factory setting. It's made from rugged and durable HDPE rather than PVC, making it much more sturdy. These Cat6 outdoor ethernet cables are also built with RJ45 connectors, and 550 Mhz rated wire. They're capable of supporting POE (Power Over Ethernet) at 802.3bt up to 100W. They're waterproof, UV resistant, and because of the tough quality of their jackets are resistant to damage from insects and burrowing pests like rodents. 

Outdoor Optical Fiber Cable

Optical fiber cable, also known as fiber optic cable technology works by transmitting data through pulses of light traveling to and from your device across glass filaments at the speed of light. The word "fiber" here refers to the many superfine glass or plastic filaments contained within the cable jacket, whereas other types of cable would typically contain traditional copper instead. These glass or plastic cores consist of a flexible, transparent fiber drawn to a diameter that's even more fine than a single strand of human hair.

Optical fiber cables contain such a core, with a fine protective coating further encased within a layer of "cladding," which is made from a material with a lower refractive index. It's this cladding that contains the traveling pulses of light. Further protected by a strengthening material, the contents of fiber optic cables are finally sheathed in a sturdy jacket that (in most cases) indicates the cable's type and speed. 

There's no need to sacrifice speed or connectivity if you need to run an outdoor fiber optic cable. Cables.com stocks both multi mode and single mode fiber optic cables that are built to weather the elements. Our LC to LC OM3 Direct Burial Duplex Multimode Fiber Cable is direct burial rated for easy installation outdoors, and it features high quality duplex LC connectors on both ends. This 10gb OM3 rated fiber optic cable is factory tested to pass signal, but we recommend giving it a quick test before running it outside. 

If it's a single mode fiber optic cable you require due to a need for higher bandwidth, Cables.com has you covered. Like the OM3 multi mode cable we mentioned above, this OS2 Single Mode Duplex Fiber Cable is rated for direct burial and you can count on it to keep your connection strong and steady. 

Cables.com's Outdoor Cables are Manufactured in the US

If you haven't quite found just what you're looking for, no need to worry - we can manufacture an entirely custom cable for you at our New York warehouse based on your own specifications, right down to printing on the sleeves, at the most reasonable possible cost for custom cable assemblies. Feel free to Contact Us using our webform, or email us at sales@cables.com. You can also reach us by phone at 1-800-372-3725. We look forward to working with you!

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