Ethernet cables are the rightful source to transmit data and other related information in less time. But if we go further deep into the debate of their usage the most sophisticated and careful decision is while deciding on the cable for the hospital. 

The world of healthcare is not feasible if there is no proper and convenient internet connection. Likewise, from monitoring vital reports to sending or receiving medical images, billings, scans, and MRIs are the major points to think twice while selecting the cable. 

Continue reading this blog as it will cover the discussion about the right category cable to choose for a hospital network and also why a plenum or riser is a necessity when choosing ethernet cable for the corridors of a hospital. 

Understanding the Specs Of Ethernet Cable

All the ethernet cables are just alike having a plastic outer body and twisted pair design but if we further break down the specs of the Cat6a or Cat6 ethernet cable we might know the actual difference between these two types of cables. 

The need for developing Category 6 or Augmented Category 6 cable is to cater to the high demand for fast internet or to cater to bulk data transfer in various high-speed ethernet applications. Using Cat6a plenum is viable but if you are budget restricted then you can also choose Cat6 plenum cable for the installation and it will make a big impact in healthcare cabling solutions. There are some of the major benefits of these two ethernet cables. 

  • Bandwidth – The major reason is the bandwidth for Cat6 plenum cable is 550 MHz and for Cat6a cable marked the highest – 750 MHz. Both cables possess gigabit speed and are sufficient for basic image transfer for most healthcare applications.
  • Crosstalk and Impedance – Both show minimal crosstalk but if we compare the Cat6a with the Cat6 ethernet cable, Augmented Cat6 is the winner. Due to its tight twisted pairs to surpass the electrical current seamless and intact. The impedance is the major issue in barricading the signals. 
  • Future-proofing – Cat6 is considered the industry standard due to its low price and high durability but still there is room for Cat6a ethernet cable as it offers a high potential future-proof cabling system. In the future, if you need to upgrade the speed of your server then you will not need to upgrade the cables. 
  • Conductor – The Core part of the ethernet cable is the conductor lies inside the insulation layer. Cat6a comes with a pure copper conductor whereas, the Cat6 cable comes in a solid copper or CCA conductor. Choose the conductor wisely to get benefit from the cable
  • Fast Ethernet Applications – This is the demand for the network. Fast ethernet applications include PoE/+/++, audio/video streaming, 100BASE-T (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet), and various major applications.
  • Plenum or Riser – The main reason to adopt is to keep the environment clean from hazardous smoke in case of fire. The plenum jacket is more secure and also the LSZH material emits non-toxic smoke to prevent the building from outrageous results. 

Shielded Or Unshielded Ethernet Cables

The debate on STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) or UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) is important. The main reason for the Cat6a shielded cables is to cater to the complex environment for installing cables. 

Hospitals are covered with various power cables so there are huge chances of interference, also, there are many machines that generate strong interference (Artificial Interference) so to abduct the outer signals from overlapping — shielded cables are used. It's up to you to choose foil-shielded cables or braided-shielded cables. 

Furthermore, the STP cables provide the right speed and performance without compromising the limit of the data transmission or receiving. Contrary to UTP cables, these are marked as the general ethernet cables for installation. Only use when there is no or less interference in the field. 

Plenum Or Riser – The Furious Competition

Plenum — CMP (Communication Multipurpose Plenum) is an FEP-rated material known to be very famous for the restriction of flames and also an LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogens) to prevent toxic smoke emissions. In the complex wiring environment, plenum cable is mandatory to avoid the spreading of fire along the floor. 

Cat6a plenum or Cat6 plenum can be installed in the horizontal or vertical spaces of the buildings. The plenum is enriched with maximum air and oxygen so there are high chances of fire ignition. 

The Riser is a PVC material with flame-retardant properties. But the riser jacket on burning emits less toxic smoke which is a very serious matter for the hospital environment. The riser is designed for riser spaces only – vertical shafts of the buildings. 

Hospital-Specific Considerations

Limiting the technical specs of the cable other factors induce the choice of ethernet cables for the hospital. 

  • Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) – In hospitals, there are several huge machinery like X-ray, MRIs, and Ultrasound that result in emitting high EMI, which can cause network failure or poor signal quality. Cat6a shielded plenum superior noise immunity can handle this effect and hence attain a streamlined connection.
  • Durability and Sterilization – Processes like sterilization are vital procedures in hospitals so the plenum jacket of the Cat6a cable offers halogen-free and flame-retardant properties that offer better safety and durability in harsh and challenging environments. 
  • Long-Term Investment – investing in the Cat6a plenum cable seems very costly but its longevity, future-proofing, and gigabit speed (Performance) may positively impact your networking solutions and reduce the chances of upgrading the entire cabling infrastructure.

The Verdict – Cat6a Takes The Lead

So, without any doubt, the winner is the CAT6A cable — either shielded or unshielded. The reason is that the cable offers many potential benefits and is more secure to install in harsh environments. Cat6a plenum cable is the preferred choice for several reasons. 

  1. More crucial for managing sensitive medical data and smoothing the optimal device performance. 
  2. Minimizes the interference hence helps in transmitting and receiving data flow without any interruption.
  3. Cat6a plenum ethernet cable through an expensive cable but it offers longevity and future-proofing your cabling solution. Upgrading speed is not an issue now. 

With these features, you can install Cat6a cable to the primary destinations of the building but wait it does not mean that Cat6 is overrated though it is a runner-up the specs still meet the requirements to use it for the operational procedures of the hospitals. Like in hospitals, there are several rooms so aligning Cat6a shielded cables is quite tough.

Cat6 can still be suitable for less demanding applications within the hospitals such as administrative tasks, or non-critical patient monitoring. However, when there is a need for hospital security and the safety of patients — Cat6a plenum is the right choice for adoption and installation. The Cat6a plenum shielded cable is a strong contender among various cables. 

The Final Note

Choosing the ethernet cable for a hospital is a tough decision. Discussing with qualified network professionals may provide the right solution. Well, you can also choose the right cable by following the factors of buying. Length, cable type (Category), Plenum or riser, Speed, Demand from the network, and Future prediction of the server speed. Remember investing in the right cable will benefit you for longer terms or else you will need the next upgrade very shortly.

Remember, in the critical world of healthcare, reliable connectivity is more than just a convenience – it's a lifeline. Choose wisely, and wire your hospital for wellbeing.