spline or no spline?

[trevm999]

I got my first box of splineless cat6, I had forgotten that working with ethernet cable could be so easy. I'm pretty sure I can put on a plug 3x faster. What are you all using? Any real world concerns with going splineless?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

We get w/spline, going for the 500 MHz. I think the spineless is 350.

I've been doing just about all outdoor ToughCable over past months..that stuff is like working with steel rebar! Can't wait to go back to just plain indoor cable.

 

[DataMedics]

I'm pretty sure the spine is just for riser strength. If you're not doing any long vertical runs, then you're fine to go spineless. The spine just prevents the wire from stretching when you're running it up a highrise building between floors.

 

[fencepost]

The spline can help to keep the cables from having crosstalk, but if they pass testing without it it's not required. Cat6 is 250MHz tested, Cat6a is 500MHz and typically uses heavier-gauge wire.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I'm pretty sure the spine is just for riser strength. If you're not doing any long vertical runs, then you're fine to go spineless. The spine just prevents the wire from stretching when you're running it up a highrise building between floors.

helps for pulling cable also....gives it added strength, and helps prevent the "kinks" that sometimes happen as you pull cable across obstacles or around corners. Keeps those twists proper so they don't mess up if those little kinks happen.

 

[trevm999]

Thanks for the info. This stuff does feel like it wouldn't be as durable for fishing, I'll make sure I'm not as rough with it and enjoy it while it lasts. I don't have any plans to do anymore crawling through the attic, so it will just be simple runs. I'll probably go with the spline for the next box just to be safe.

 

[Markverhyden]

Up until now I've only seen Cat6 with a X spline, provided by others. Bought a box at a local supplier a few days ago not paying attention to that feature. It had the standard rip string but also have a flat plastic spline instead of the X spline I was used to seeing.

Edit: corrected to proper spline.

 

[DataMedics]

helps for pulling cable also....gives it added strength, and helps prevent the "kinks" that sometimes happen as you pull cable across obstacles or around corners. Keeps those twists proper so they don't mess up if those little kinks happen.

This too.

 

[iTek Connections]

helps for pulling cable also....gives it added strength, and helps prevent the "kinks" that sometimes happen as you pull cable across obstacles or around corners. Keeps those twists proper so they don't mess up if those little kinks happen.

++ This! It really helps not to have to walk down and fix all the twisties

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

I'm pretty sure the spine is just for riser strength. If you're not doing any long vertical runs, then you're fine to go spineless. The spine just prevents the wire from stretching when you're running it up a highrise building between floors.

Sorry, but the spline is in fact part of the standard for CAT6 cable, it is not there to be a support or anything else.

 

[mr m]

I was under the impression that the spline has the same number of twists per inch as the 4 pairs and keeps them separated from one another to minimize crosstalk at todays higher frequencies.

 

[DataMedics]

Sorry, but the spline is in fact part of the standard for CAT6 cable, it is not there to be a support or anything else.

Really, here's the ISO standard: https://gofile.me/6nc9a/YAXQVrYN

The section that spells out Cat6 requirements starts on page 58. Nothing in there specifies that you need a plastic spline. The standard specifies the need to shield from crosstalk, but that's accomplished with the foil inside the cable, and the twisting of the pairs, not the plastic center.

Don't forget, I was an electrician for 10 years before I moved over to data recovery. I've installed thousands of cable drops.

 

[Markverhyden]

Really, here's the ISO standard: https://gofile.me/6nc9a/YAXQVrYN

The section that spells out Cat6 requirements starts on page 58. Nothing in there specifies that you need a plastic spline. The standard specifies the need to shield from crosstalk, but that's accomplished with the foil inside the cable, and the twisting of the pairs, not the plastic center.

Don't forget, I was an electrician for 10 years before I moved over to data recovery. I've installed thousands of cable drops.

I commented above, corrected for accuracy, about this. I recently had a job where Cat6 STP was used. It did not have the X spline but rather a flat plastic spline. I'm thinking they are using the spline to insure that the 4 twisted pair twist is more accurate to insure that it passes QA/QC tests.

 

[NETWizz]

I have been buying Cat6a because it will do 10 G at 100 meters, but the spline is good.

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

Don't forget, I was an electrician for 10 years before I moved over to data recovery. I've installed thousands of cable drops.

Good for you.

I have been an Electronic technician for 37 years, IT for 33 years and I could go on and on.

The fact is the spline is not there as a support.

An old but useful article.

http://www.cablinginstall.com/artic.../getting-to-the-core-of-category-6-cable.html

Here is a quote from an TIA document.

Why did all category 6 cable used to have a spline, and now is offered without one?

Some category 6 cable designs have a spline to increase the separation between pairs and also to maintain the pair geometry. This additional separation improves NEXT performance and allows category 6 compliance to be achieved. With advances in technology, manufacturers have found other ways of meeting category 6 requirements. The bottom line is the internal construction of the cable does not matter, so long as it meets all the transmission and physical requirements of category 6. The standard does not dictate any particular method of cable construction.

You can find the complete document here.

http://www.broadbandutopia.com/caandcaco.html

Oh. I could make all kinds or negative remarks about electricians, but I'll bite my tongue