How much do you know about your LAN cable features? Just like Cat6 cable Speed or the outer jacket ratings Plenum vs Riser. One is necessary for the performance and the other guides you towards installing your bulk ethernet cable. 

Like different ethernet cables like Cat 5e Cables or Cat6 cables difference, it is also imperative to know the outer jacket difference to install the cable at the right destination. For that, a brief knowledge will help to decide the right jacket between the plenum vs riser. 

Read this blog regarding the Riser vs Plenum to know the best combination of the Bulk Ethernet Cable. It is not rocket science to understand the bulk ethernet cable features. 

Is Plenum Better Than Riser?

The plenum vs riser, which is a better choice for the residential, commercial, and industrial is a simple debate. There are no hard things to know about the chemical composition of the Plenum and Riser cables. 

The main thing is that the bulk ethernet cable you need for installation requires maximum fire safety or is just to be used indoors. Also, there are two indoor installation spaces — Horizontal and Vertical. Which one do you prefer the most? 

So let’s delve into the depth of understanding the Riser vs Plenum. But there are some common things that you will also be aware of while discussing the Plenum vs Riser. 

Plenum Installation Points

Starting with the plenum jacket the plenum is also known as the fireproof cable used for Plenum HVAC spaces of the buildings. The plenum HVAC spaces include heating, ventilation, and Air conditioning. However, the plenum cables are not limited to installation in these spaces; they are also used for drop ceilings, attics, above-raised floors, and horizontal shafts. 

Cat6 plenum 1000ft cable is FEP-rated material highly fireproof and is hard to catch fire. The plenum spaces are enriched with the maximum air and oxygen. The main element that exaggerates fire and helps in fire progression along the floor. 

Thanks to the LSZH material of Cat6 plenum ethernet cable which halts the toxic smoke emission and upon exposure to fire the plenum jacket is hard to burn. 

Riser Jackets 

The Riser Jacket is a PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) material which is a fire-resistant material but if compared to the plenum, the plenum is a highly protective jacket. 

As far as installation is concerned, the riser jacket is only for indoor use and especially for the vertical spaces of the buildings. The riser space has a demand for fire protection. The installation locations are elevator shafts, inside walls, and the riser shafts. The riser jacket cannot be used as a substitute for a plenum. It must meet the fire safety code of the buildings to avoid major consequences. 

To get a clear and precise review you can see the difference between the Plenum vs riser in the tabular format below. 

Plenum Vs Riser Cables Comparison
Features	Plenum Cable	Riser Cable
Chemical Composition	FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene)	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Fire Safety	Max. Fire safety hardly burn	Compared to plenum cables the riser is less fire-resistant
Installation	Can be used for Horizontal and vertical spaces of the building	Only for vertical installation spaces within the building
Performance	Protect the cable from external damage and provide superior performance	The riser cables are used to install inside the walls so depending on conditions it delivers supreme performance
Cost	Most expensive	Cost-efficient
Environmental Impact	Less environmental impacts due to LSZH (Low smoke zero halogens) properties	Emits toxic smoke upon burning so has a major environmental impact

The Riser vs Plenum Cat6 Ethernet Cables can be used for residential and commercial setups but you must look for the right need for installation of the cable. 

Can You Bury Plenum or Riser Cables Underground?

Whatever you do, don’t bury the plenum or riser cables directly underground by doing so the bulk ethernet cable becomes more susceptible to damage due to the moisture, water, or the rodents might chew the cable. 

If you have spare bulk Plenum or Riser cables, you could use an extra conduit (protective layer) that can protect the cable from damage and other external risks. Or if you could go with the Cat6 direct burial option that is a way better option for outdoor installation and the best thing is simply install the cable underground without spending on the protective layer. 

Is Plenum or Riser Shielded?

There are two variants of bulk ethernet cables. Like Cat6 plenum 1000ft cable or Cat 6 riser cable in the UTP variant which are general ethernet cables for easy installation when there is less EMI or crosstalk influence. These cables are without an additional protective insulation layer. 

It is not mandatory that plenum vs riser cables are always shielded but you have to decide whether to use shielded or unshielded. 

Cat6 shielded plenum cables are more often used due to the best combo of speed and cable safety. The use of copper will streamline the data transmission and the plenum (CMP) cable will protect the cable from catching fire. 

Which One is More Secure — Plenum or Riser

Installation of bulk ethernet cables depends on the ethernet speed. The Cat6 ethernet speed is 1/10 GbE with a maximum bandwidth of 550 MHz. The 23 AWG conductor size is ideal to use for major applications. 

Now, when you choose the Cat6 plenum ethernet cable it will cost you a high price ($$$$) due to the copper and plenum combination. On the other hand, riser cables are cost-effective and you still cannot use them for horizontal runs. 

• Use plenum cables to future-proof cabling infrastructure
• Plenum cables can be used for plenum spaces and non-plenum spaces
• Use riser cables when you have a limited budget.
• Riser cables can be the best to use in vertical spaces.

In a Nutshell

Despite all the bulk ethernet cables (Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a) are widely used for securing the performance of your network. Buying cat6 plenum ethernet cable is a great investment for your cabling infrastructure and choosing the right cable jacket “Plenum vs Riser” is the main distinction regarding installation. 

Choose the plenum cable, a high-quality material to withstand fire safety, and also an industry standard cable to maximize your cable performance. The cable has excellent installation and operating temperature ratings. -10 to 65 degrees Celsius. 

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