Solid or Stranded Wire UTP Cable

[Rossua]

I am planning to run a Cat 5e UTP cable in my home of length approx 40 metres, and have read that there two types of such cable, ie. solid wire and stranded wire, the solid wire cable being for longer runs where the cable is fixed in position, and the stranded wire cable for shorter length "patch" type cables.

I wouldn't classify 40m as a short length, and wonder if I should purchase solid wire cable instead of the stranded wire type found in most patch cables.

Can anyone advise me if this will make a noticeable difference to the reliability and transfer speeds of my network (currently just linking 2 PC's with a crossover adapter, though later expanding to more PC's using an Ethernet switch), or will the stranded wire UTP cable be just as good in this situation.

Many thanks for any advice.

[doctorgonzo]

If the cable is going to be behind a wall where it won't move, then I would go with solid. Stranded allows for more flexibility, which is what you want if you are going to be plugging, unplugging, coiling, or otherwise moving the cable around a lot.

Solid has slightly better electrical performance, but I really doubt it would make a huge difference in your situations.

[Mr N8]

If you are running the cable, I would definitely go with solid. The cost difference isn't worth the supposed reliability of stranded. In fact, I'll usually make a patch cable out of solid cable, if it's just going to be sitting behind a computer that's never moved.

[edfair]

Did a fast scan for the specs. Total run for stranded is 33 feet. Sounds like you are well past the "maybe" range.

[Rossua]

Thanks for replies - I will be going for the solid wire and use short patch cables at either end for flexibility, using straight through RJ45 couplers to join them.