I need to make some custom length network cables and I've been looking at bulk cat5e cable. I get that there is both riser and plenum rated cable, and I gather that I only need riser. I went to home depot to pick some up, but I was surprised how thin it was. So thin that the boots I was planning on using don't fit properly. It almost looked as though the sheathing was heat shrunk around the twisted pairs. The overall diameter was lumpy and not really round. All the patch cables I've bought and the wiring throughout my house are thicker and pretty much round. I even cut one of my patch cables and my boots fit it fine.
The plenum cable I looked at looked more like what I'm used to seeing, but it's twice the price and overkill for my needs. What do manufactured cables use? I assume they are not using plenum cable. So why is there such a difference between them and the riser cable I'm seeing?
I know the smaller diameter probably doesn't matter, but it just looks wrong when using boots and there's a gap around the cable and I rather the boot fit the cable (I know. I'm anal.). I'm especially concerned about buying online as I won't be able to see it before I buy it.
The plenum cable I looked at looked more like what I'm used to seeing, but it's twice the price and overkill for my needs. What do manufactured cables use? I assume they are not using plenum cable. So why is there such a difference between them and the riser cable I'm seeing?
I know the smaller diameter probably doesn't matter, but it just looks wrong when using boots and there's a gap around the cable and I rather the boot fit the cable (I know. I'm anal.). I'm especially concerned about buying online as I won't be able to see it before I buy it.