OT Cat-5 request

[Dustin Decker]

On Wed, 18 Sep 2002, Jared wrote:

[snip]
> BTW, I was unaware of the difference between stranded and solid wires;
> this will be the first cable I install. All I know is to keep from
> ganagling it up because the twisted pair generates a field which
> shields the wire from RF but cain't do so very well if it's all
> gangliated upon itself.

In general, the stranded cable is recommended/designed/intended for
patch cords and in environments in which the cable has human interaction
and movement applied to it.  Solid conductor cable is generally used for
in-wall installations and the like, and isn't meant to be moved around a
great deal.  

My experience, however, is that the solid will make a decent patch cable
as well - you might need to crimp it a little bit harder with most
RJ45's designed with stranded cable in mind.  I _suppose_ a patch cable
made with solid conductors could get fouled up if it's moved a lot, but
I've never had a significant problem with it. (I believe bend radius
measurements apply to solid conductors as well, but I break those
frequently myself also.)

I guess if I were to make a recommendation, I would say solid is fine
for patch cables that are installed in permanent fashion in the tel-co
closet if they test out OK after crimping.  On the client side I always
recommend strand...  but who else here makes recommendations like this,
only to find themselves in the "do as I say, not as I do" category?  
(That is to say, I do what I say for clients, but am posting from a 36'
run of solid copper to my laptop.)

<grin>
Dustin

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