Bulk USB cables, and data-transferring cables of any kind, are essential to today’s ultra-connected world. Ethernet cables, fiber optic cables, hdmi cables, and more are ready to plug in and get the data moving. But only the right cable for the job can make today’s technology for the consumer possible.
Bulk Cables for the Job
Different modes of data transfer and Internet usage call for various cable types. One of the most common cable types are the ethernet cables. Often appearing as Category 5 and Category 6 types, these cables can connect computers to each other or, more often, to a router or switch. According to Lifewire, an ethernet cable contains eight wires (as opposed to a phone cable’s four) and come in solid and stranded varieties. The former has slightly improved performance and the latter are less prone to cracks or other damage, making them ideal for the rigors of travel.
Cat5 ethernet cables are the fifth generation of ethernet cables, being in use since the 1990s. They contain four pairs of copper wire, but for fast connections, only two of the four pairs are used. For Cat5e cables, or enhanced, all four pairs are used. The cat5e cables can maintain backwards compatibility as well. These cables have proven popular for home use and connecting to local area networks (LAN) for their speed and reliability.
Cat6 cables are the sixth generation, used both in the home and office. They can carry more data than the cat5 model and use all four of their wire pairs, and there is an augmented model, the Cat6a. These cables extend 328 feet, as opposed to the Cat6 model’s 164 feet. These cables are also generally more expensive than the Cat5 types.
HDMI (high-definition media interface) is another popular type of bulk USB cables. These cables are often used for HDTVs, home entertainment systems, and certain gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox One. According to How Stuff Works, HDMI cables can link devices with high-bandwidth connections. As long as every device in an intended network or system is HDMI-compatible, the system is set to create high-definition images, such as on a home entertainment system or HD-capable gaming console. 1080p signals are possible with an HDMI cable, along with uncompressed audio that can work with a 7.1 surround sound system. Users will have to keep the physical cable’s length in mind, however, when creating a system for home theaters or gaming setups.
Who is Using All These Cables?
The growth of the Internet is well-known, and bulk USB cables work hard to keep up. According to Statista, the Internet had 3.5 billion users in 2016, which accounts for 45% of the world’s population. Southeast Asia, especially China, is the biggest region for Internet use, along with the U.S.A. And South Korea’s 27 Mbps Internet connection speed is the highest in the world. And with the ever-increasing popularity of iPhones, gaming consoles, and PCs in general, it is clear that bulk USB cables will have a place in the world for years to come, and choosing the right cable for the job comes with the territory.
