What Type of Outdoor Internet Cable is Best?

Outdoor cables need to be sturdy and reliable in order to last. Rather than purchase low-quality cables that will need to be replaced constantly, shop Cables.com for outdoor cables that are built to stand the test of time. 

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. 

Cables.com's Datacomm outdoor cables are built to withstand exposure to the elements. Let's highlight some of the cables built especially for outdoor installation. 

Outdoor Internet 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?

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! 

Most ethernet cable is laid indoors, but there are occasions where you will need your network to traverse outside areas, such as:

• Connecting two or more external buildings
• Accessing internet-enabled outdoor surveillance cameras
• Connecting outdoor Wi-Fi access points

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 Fiber Optic Cable

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. 

Shop Internet Cables at Cables.com

What should you do if you're having a hard time figuring out exactly which cables are the best ones for your network? With so many options available on Cables.com, it might be difficult to decide. Luckily our Quick Patch Finder for Network Cables and Cords is free and easy to use. Use the drop down menus to identify your particular cable needs, and the tool will point you in the right direction. 

While we stock our cables in a variety of lengths and sizes, you have the option of ordering your cables in custom lengths and configurations. Contact Us or send us an email at sales@cables.com to discuss your custom cable order. We can also offer our cables for purchase in bulk pricing, guaranteeing that you'll be able to get all the cable you need for your job at the best prices!

SHOP NOW: Outdoor Fiber Optic Cable - RG6 Outdoor Coaxial Cable - Category 5e Outdoor Cable