Ethernet cable breakin period?

Posted by: antmast on 27 June 2013

Recently I bought CAT6 Ethernet cables for my UnitiServe, Nas and switch. Do these cables normally require a break in period? 

Posted on: 27 June 2013 by MangoMonkey

Yes, a fairly long one. Mine took about 2 years to break in.

Posted on: 27 June 2013 by MangoMonkey

Ok - I was just kidding. No, there is none.

 

What's breakin going to do? Transmit data better? Did you find internet becoming faster once your internet connection was a few days old?

 

Buy some cheap ferrite chokes and put them on the Ethernet cable though...

Posted on: 27 June 2013 by pcstockton
Originally Posted by MangoMonkey:

Ok - I was just kidding. No, there is none.

 

What's breakin going to do? Transmit data better? Did you find internet becoming faster once your internet connection was a few days old?

 

Buy some cheap ferrite chokes and put them on the Ethernet cable though...

Just wondering..... then why do other cables and components "require" it?  Ive never understood the "break in" dealio.

 

 

-p

Posted on: 27 June 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Antmast, almost certainly there is no breakin. Ethernet leads carry signals that are abstracted away from the audio.

The area that Ethernet leads impact audio system is as far I am concerned through EMI and RFI coupling. These aspects i would expect to typically deteriate over a very long time through distortortion of the cable geometry... Not improve.

 

With audio cables, the only breakin, or perhaps more accurately settle in time, that I have (knowingly) come across, and it varies on design, is from insulation charging (some cables are really noticeable here) and connectors bedding in, ie moving over a short space of time to a non stressed position so as to provide a stable contact connection.

Simon

 

Posted on: 28 June 2013 by pcstockton
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

Antmast, almost certainly there is no breakin. Ethernet leads carry signals that are abstracted away from the audio.

The area that Ethernet leads impact audio system is as far I am concerned through EMI and RFI coupling. These aspects i would expect to typically deteriate over a very long time through distortortion of the cable geometry... Not improve.

 

With audio cables, the only breakin, or perhaps more accurately settle in time, that I have (knowingly) come across, and it varies on design, is from insulation charging (some cables are really noticeable here) and connectors bedding in, ie moving over a short space of time to a non stressed position so as to provide a stable contact connection.

Simon

 

that makes some empirical sense.

 

thanks!

Posted on: 28 June 2013 by KRM

Hi Simon,

 

Could there also be earthing issues? 

 

Keith

Posted on: 01 July 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Keith, sorry I missed this. Earthing issues with respect to what? Shielded CAT 6a leads and earth loops for example? Well there shouldn't be.. But if in doubt use a regulat Cat 5e UTP lead.

Simon

 

PS, I have just seem MM's post and perhaps his slightly tongue in cheek query about your Internet getting faster after bedding in... I smiled.. Because if you use ADSL2 with your ISP this will be the case as the profiling on your link is adjusted to suit your line conditions between you and the exchange within the first few days of bedding in.... 

Posted on: 01 July 2013 by KRM

Hi Simon,

 

I have been told that there can be issues with shielded cables and metal ethernet plugs, such as those found on Naim components. The wrong combination can cause the cable to act as an ariel.

 

Keith