Flat Ethernet cable

[Raistlin]

Looking at buying my network setup and saw that there is a flat Ethernet cable. This would look a lot better when running throughout my condo. I saw that it's unshielded but everything I read says should be fine, what did everyone here think?

[Needfuldoer]

Wiring for Ethernet is almost always unshielded. (UTP: Unshielded Twisted Pair.) Shielded Ethernet cabling exists, but it's not necessary the vast majority of the time.

 

For the lengths you're likely to run in a residential setting, the flat cables should be fine. I prefer running proper round cables whenever possible, though.

[DoctorNick]

46 minutes ago, Raistlin said:

Looking at buying my network setup and saw that there is a flat Ethernet cable. This would look a lot better when running throughout my condo. I saw that it's unshielded but everything I read says should be fine, what did everyone here think?

Its fine, but I like ultra thin /slim cables better, you can get those in cat6:

Edit: CAT6 UTP***

[Sant_HH]

Short runs seem to be fine, but longer ones I had some issues with (it could just be I used cheapo ones though), but I like slim ones better

[leclod]

check out the Ugreen cables on Aliexpress, mine works fine (they have a slim one)

 

[wseaton]

14 hours ago, Needfuldoer said:

Wiring for Ethernet is almost always unshielded. (UTP: Unshielded Twisted Pair.) Shielded Ethernet cabling exists, but it's not necessary the vast majority of the time.

 

For the lengths you're likely to run in a residential setting, the flat cables should be fine. I prefer running proper round cables whenever possible, though.

Shielded cat5/cat6 is a pain in the ass. Every once in awhile I get some wingnut who wants it run in their biz because they think their coffee maker might produce too much EMF. 

 

I mean, its structurally impossible to hurt, but like working with frikken hemp rope in the network closet.

[NobleGamer]

22 hours ago, DoctorNick said:

Its fine, but I like ultra thin /slim cables better, you can get those in cat6:

Edit: CAT6 UTP***

TIL slim non-flat cables are a thing. 

 

Visual preferences aside, people should know that with slim cables:

• Size difference is about 5.8 versus 3.8 mm in diameter
• The wires inside the cables are thinner (30 versus 24 AWG, larger number is smaller)
• As a result of the physical wire differences, it doesnt meet standard ANSI-defined specs for cat 6 including...
• Power over ethernet is more limited (30W)
• AND max distance is more limited than the 100m standard

I have used flat ethernet cables as well, and with the one I bought and cut open the internal wires seemed to be the same gauge as a normal round cable, but I also didn't take an exact measurement.

 

It's all about visual and physical preferences for however people use the cable as well as risk tolerance for a cable not confirming to existing standards.

 

Using a non round standard sized cable means it is less likely that the wires inside will be the same size, unless you trust who makes/sells the cable.