What Causes an Ethernet Cable to Go Bad?

A stable internet connection is not something good to have, but a must-have, especially if you’re running a business in this digital age. What most businesses do is they often blame routers or service providers when the connection drops, but they overlook the real culprit, which is a faulty Ethernet cable. 

It is the Ethernet cables that make the wired internet networks thrive and serve as their backbone. The Ethernet cables are durable. But like any hardware, the Ethernet cables also wear out, degrade, or break over time. 

This makes it vital for you to check out the cable wear signs or the signs of network drops to understand what makes Ethernet cables go bad.

Hear straight from the Ethernet cable installers on the signs of signal degradation and get those fixed before it is too late.

Causes of Ethernet Cabling Going Bad

Wondering if your Ethernet cable is in good condition or not? The key is to make a note of the signs of signal degradation to find out about the Ethernet cable. Here are the possible causes outlined below.

Physical damage 

The foremost cause of Ethernet cable turning bad is physical damage. The thing is that Ethernet cables look tough on the outside, but their inner wires are fragile due to they can get physically damaged over time. The notable signs of the physical damage include: 

• Twisting or bending of the cable.

• The Ethernet cable was chewed by the pets. 

• Tripping hazard where people step on the cable. 

The structured cabling contractors reveal that you can prevent this from happening by routing the Ethernet cables neatly along the walls and avoiding the sharp bends.

Poor quality cables

Every Ethernet cable is not the same; but different. You might experience issues in performance or even total failure if you use poor-quality cables or cables that do not align with the speed and bandwidth requirements of your business. 

The key? Bear these compatibility concerns in mind. 

• Using Cat5 cable will not give you the desired performance. 

• There might be issues, such as connector issues or poor internal conductivity.

• Cheap cables are not properly shielded and are vulnerable to outside interference. 

The best way forward would be to use the Cat6, Cat 6a, or Cat 7 cables, and that too with verified ratings, especially if your network is built for high-speed data transfer. 

Connector wear and tear

The data cabling electrician reveals that the next possible sign of Ethernet cable going bad is the wear and tear of the connector. There are RJ45 connectors at the end of the Ethernet cables, which is also one reason why the Ethernet cable goes bad.

There are delicate metal pins that must align with the socket, and the plugging and unplugging of pins can wear down the contacts. All this results in: 

• Intermittent connection

• Loss of data packets

• No signal detection

The best way to fix this would be to replace the connector if the cable is in good condition or buy a new Ethernet cable with molded ends. 

Electromagnetic interference

Electromagnetic interference is another reason why Ethernet cables go bad. Running the Ethernet cables too close to the high-power electrical lines and transformers is what makes them go bad. 

The signs, such as slow speed, frequent disconnections, and increased packet losses, are the symptoms that reveal electromagnetic interference. 

The businesses can prevent this by using shielded twisted pair cables, as these cables have an additional shield to block outside interference. 

Internal cable degradation

Sometimes, you might not notice any visible signs of damage as the Ethernet cables go bad internally because of long-term use or manufacturing defects. This is the case with cables who are 5-10 years old. 

You can check this with the help of the network cable tester and come to know about the wiring faults, open circuits, or signal loss. The only alternative is to replace the cable if the tester shows misalignment or weak signal strength. 

Poor installation practices

The next comes the poor installation practices. Most businesses think that the problem is in the cable, but sometimes, the problem is in the way the cable was installed. The poor cabling practices also contribute to the Ethernet cabling going bad, and this includes: 

• Running cables near the power lines. 

• Using the wrong connector type. 

• Creating tight bends. 

• Ignoring proper grounding. 

This causes signal loss, crosstalk, or short circuits, which in turn reduce the cable’s effectiveness and lifespan. This is why it is crucial to follow the proper installation practices. 

Signs Ethernet Cable is Going Bad

Watch out for these common signs telling you that your Ethernet cabling is going bad. 

• Physical wear 

• Slow internet connection

• Devices are not detecting the cable 

• Heat built up at the connector points

Final Words

These are the reasons Ethernet cables go bad and might hamper your network performance. But the best part is that you can prevent most of the issues by having expert Ethernet cable installers beside you.