Cables Used With A-Net Devices
Aviom suggests using Category 5e (Cat-5e) or better cables when making A-Net connections between devices (maximum cable run of 500 feet, 150 meters). The Ethernet specification requires the use of Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables for all interconnections for best performance. All Aviom A-Net products require unshielded Cat-5e cables. Category 6 (Cat-6) cables can also be used.
Do not use shielded Cat-5e cables with A-Net devices.
When purchasing Cat-5e cables, be sure to buy only standard Cat-5e cables, not those sold as crossover cables. A crossover cable is used for file transfer between two computers. A crossover cable is not compatible with your Aviom equipment.
Cable Lengths
Your cable length performance will be affected by a number of factors including the quality of the cables used, and the number of devices such as cable couplers used or wall panel interconnections in use.
To go longer than the maximum specified distance A-Net allows (500 feet, 150 meters), an A-Net Distributor product can be used as a signal repeater. Simply insert the A-16D or A-16D Pro into the A-Net stream at the 500-foot point and the A-Net signal will be refreshed. Another 500 feet (150 meters) of cable can then be added. This process can be repeated as many times as required to extend cables. In fact, any Pro16 A-Net device can be used as a signal repeater.
For long distance applications, fiber optic cable can be used to span distances up to 50 miles (80km) with the use of devices called media converters. A media converter changes the Ethernet-based Pro16 A-Net signal to fiber optic at the source location and then back to Cat-5 at the destination. Several companies make fast Ethernet to fiber media converters that can be used with your Aviom equipment.
Note: While the Category 5 cables and connectors used on your Aviom products look like typical computer network connections, do not connect computers, routers, or other home and business networking equipment to your Aviom products.