Template:Info:Exakt-Cables

ALL FOUR pairs of the cables are used in the Exakt-Link cable. This is NOT an ethernet transport cable but an Exakt transport cable.

These pairs are used to transmit the

• audio data,
• power triggers and a
• master timing control to ensure that the audio from all channels are in perfect sync.
  
  

The Exakt-link has been designed to operate with the CAT-5 cable electrical specifications for signal timings. There have been NO changes to this design for any other CAT, (category), cable standards. (updated 2024)

We recommend using the 100Base-T4 / 568B ethernet cable pairing

Exakt Link uses readily available network cables:

• CAT 5/5e UTP/FTP
• CAT 6/6a UTP/FTP

Note:

• There is no change in the audio performance of the Exakt Link between Cat 5 or Cat 6 Cables.
• Cat-7 and Cat-8 cables may not work reliably with an Exakt system..

• Cat-7 & Cat-8 are designed for much higher data speeds, (with different cable twist rates and incorporating extra shielding).
• Using Cat-7/8 specification cables: (We have performed a lot of testing to confirm this.)

• Degrade the "master timing control" and reduce audio performance.
• Cause more data losses & recovery in the audio data transport. (Cat-7 or Cat-8 cable are designed for much higher data rates).
• The use of the additional shielding will also reduce the usable cable length due to the lower Exakt-link data and "master timing control" attenuation.

Typical Ethernet 100Base-T length restrictions guide:

Patch cable < 30M

Solid core cable < 100M

EXAKT-LINK CANNOT be used with:

• Ethernet Network Routers,
• Ethernet Network Switches,
• Ethernet Isolators,
• Ethernet conditioners,
• HomePlugs/Ethernet-over-Mains devices
• WLAN bridges etc

Exakt-Link can ONLY be a CAT5/6 cable from Exakt socket to Exakt socket