As a company with over two decades of experience in all types of properties from homes to businesses, we’ve seen firsthand how the choice of network cabling can make the difference between a robust, future-proof installation and a frustrating series of callbacks. Let’s dive into why investing in certified cables isn’t just a premium choice – it’s a necessity.
The Hidden Problems of Budget Cables
We’ve all been tempted by those attractively priced network cables on Amazon or various auction sites. They look great, maybe they have good reviews and a really obscure name with too many random letters. At first glance, saving money on cabling costs seems like a great idea and no doubt a lot of them are absolutely fine. It can be quite confusing when you’re buying cables as there are so many types and materials, it’s easy to get lost in the figures. We’ve had clients order in cable for us to install and we’ve not seen it before, it’s an unknown material and not certified so we can’t guarantee the installation. Some websites will print any old nonsense on them and it can look really convincing.
However, let’s pull back the curtain on what you’re often buying:
Budget Cable Reality Check:
- Copper-coated aluminium instead of solid copper cores.
- Inconsistent wire gauge measurements.
- Poor quality, thin or non-existent shielding.
- Unreliable connector terminations.
- No quality control testing.
- Zero performance guarantees.
- Fabricated data.
Now if you’re doing a short data cable run, say for an extra data point in your home, this might not cause any issues. If it’s only a few meters you might not even notice any difference in speeds even if you’ve got a LAN tester there. If however, you’re providing a full house network, or you’re installing a WiFi to your business, then it will. Once you’re talking about going over 10 meters or so, or if it’s a commercial property with hundreds of meters of cable then realistically, it could be a huge headache.
Also when you’re buying good quality, commercial cable you’ve got lots of choice, specific to your needs and property. For example: you’re installing in your home – you want zero halogen cable so it doesn’t release toxic fumes in the event of a fire. If you’re installing an access point in the garden, you may want shielded cable or you could use external with conduit. If it’s exterior cable, then you want to make sure there won’t be any degradation with UV damage. These all have to be certificated so you know exactly what you’re buying and what how it will perform.
Why Certified Cables Like Kordz and Connectix Stand Apart
We have always used quality, certified cables as we know the issues that can come from using uncertified ones. There isn’t any point in our team spending days installing a network to then test it and find a poor signal. If you invest in the right network kit with the latest technology to find poor speeds it can be quite deflating not to mention expensive. If there are other trades waiting on the cabling going in and there is a problem, it may set the whole job back.
Rectifying it can take more time than the initial installation as we have to check each cable individually and LAN test it to see where the problem is coming from. Then it’s a case of taking it out and reinstalling with better cable. This means doubling up on labour costs as well as extra materials. If cables are run internally it can really add time to the job.
That’s why we use manufacturers and suppliers that we know will give us exactly what we need consistently.
Superior Materials
Premium cables from respected manufacturers use high-grade materials that ensure:
- Pure copper conductors for optimal signal transmission
- Professional-grade insulation materials
- Proper shielding against interference
- Precise wire gauging for consistent performance
- No problem connecting and terminating
The Kordz Difference: Industry-Leading Testing Standards
When we talk about certified cables, Kordz stands out with their exceptional testing protocols. They’ve got over 20 years of experience in cable manufacture and have won many awards. Unlike budget cables that often skip quality control entirely, every Kordz cable undergoes:
Comprehensive Performance Testing
- Signal integrity testing up to 48Gbps
- Eye pattern analysis for precise signal quality
- Bit error rate testing for data accuracy
- Full bandwidth verification
Real-World Durability Testing
- Bend radius testing for installation flexibility
- Pull force testing (up to 5kg)
- Minimum 5,000 flex cycles
- 1,000+ connector insertion cycles
Environmental Resilience
- Temperature testing (-20°C to +80°C)
- Humidity resistance verification
- EMI/RFI shielding effectiveness
The Real-World Impact
Let’s talk numbers and how it actually could impact your installation. Here’s what we typically see when comparing budget vs. certified cables:
Budget Cables:
- Signal degradation over 20-50 metres
- Up to 40% packet loss during peak usage
- Frequent connection drops
- Average lifespan: it can vary depending on where the cable is but if outside it could be as low as 1-2 years
- Multiple service calls for troubleshooting
Certified Cables:
- Consistent performance up to 100 metres
- Minimal packet loss (<1%)
- Stable connections
- Average lifespan: 15-20 years (again this varies depending on where the cable is)
- One-time installation, minimal maintenance
The True Cost Calculation
While budget cables might save you money upfront, let’s break down the real costs:
Budget Cable Scenario:
- Initial cost: £0.30/metre
- Replacement every 2 years
- Labour costs for re-installation
- Lost productivity during downtime
- Damaged reputation from poor performance Total 5-year cost: Up to 3-4 times the initial installation
Certified Cable Scenario:
- Initial cost: around a pound or 2 a metre (depending on the cable)
- One-time installation
- Guaranteed performance
- Peace of mind
- Protected reputation Total 5-year cost: Just the initial investment
Professional Installer’s Perspective
As certified installers, we’ve learned that using quality cables isn’t just about better performance – it’s about trust. When we install certified cabling from trusted manufacturers like Kordz or Connectix cabling systems, we’re confident in:
- Meeting or exceeding promised network speeds.
- Delivering reliable and consistent WiFi coverage.
- Future-proofing installations as much as possible.
- Maintaining our professional reputation. There is no point in us installing a system where we are going to get callbacks, it’s not for you or us.
- Getting the right cable that will work well for you.
The Bottom Line
While the initial cost savings of budget cables might be tempting, the long-term consequences far outweigh any short-term benefits. Quality certified cabling is an investment in:
- Reliability
- Performance
- Customer satisfaction
- Our professional reputation
Remember: The cable you choose today will impact network performance for years to come. When it comes to network and WiFi installations, cutting corners on cabling isn’t just false economy – it’s a recipe for future headaches.
If you’re unsure about what cable you should get installed, get in touch today and we can help!