HDMI CL2, 26AWG good enough?

Question

We recently bought a new house and the previous owner installed HDMI cables in the wall. I don't know much about HDMI but know enough that for long distance you might need higher quality cables. The previous own said he installed these a while ago. I pulled up the outlet panel and was able to read "E139956 (UL) type CL2 shielded 26AWG ----- AWM 20276" on the wire. I don't know what the numbers and letters on the cable mean. Clearly it is CL2 and 26gauge, but I don't know anything else and my searches online haven't really found anything. I do not know what brand. I don't know what certification (1,2,?) nor do I even know what certification really means in terms of quality.

I'm in the process of trying to buy a 1080p HDTV and I want to know if this cable is good enough. The distance is probably about 20ft. Or will I have to upgrade the cable in the wall as well?

Answer 1

If the former owner said it was HDMI cable, the best thing to do would be to try it and see if it works.  20ft is not too far for HDMI.  If the connectors are HDMI, I would just try it and see if the signal is good.

HDMI is a digital medium, so either it will work or it won't.  If it works, call the guy and thank him for saving you a lot of trouble.

Answer 2

A HDMI cable is a HDMI cable, expense of cables is a complete myth. Buying more expensive cable to meet the needs of longer lenghts without degradiation of the signal is complete rubbish.

One good guide-line to stick to, and this is fact, is that for every 10 to 15 metre cable lengths you will need to add a HDMI signal booster (google them) If you dont use boosters, you can get a grainy picture, and in some cases no picture at all.

There is nothing more to them, all thge hype you read is rubbish, enhancing colours and images becoming sharper, complete non-sense. its the placebo effect, because you know and attached a $500 HDMI cable, your brain tells you that its better. If you did a test, one set-up with a $2 cable and 1 with a $500 on two identical systems and you were unaware which set-up had which attached, you wouldn't notice any difference.

And the 20ft cable you mention of getting, that will be fine, you wont need any kinda booster for that length. Should be no need to upgrade/change the cable already in place, unless its faulty, broken wire in the inner sleeve ect.

Answer 3

E139956 is the specific Underwriters Laboratories (UL) File Number that is used to identify Copartner Technology, Taiwan, and their products.



It is common for manufacturers such as Copartner to design and manufacture products that are intended to comply with various domestic and international safety and (in some cases) performance standards including those of Underwriters Laboratories in the United States. Products that meet stringent industry safety and/or performance standards often entitles a manufacturer to use one or more authorized product marks (see resources below) on applicable products. Such product marks are used to convey to consumers that the product was designed and/or tested and certified to meet the minimum requirements of one or more published industry standards. That said however, the only true guarantee that any product, especially cabling, meets specific performance and/or safety requirements is for the consumer or end-user to test the products themselves or rely upon a compent, reputable, independent third-party source for such information.



AWM 20276 is the Appliance Wiring Material Style Number for cabling constructed with multi-conductor, thermoplastic (typically PVC) insulated and jacketed wire rated to operate up to 60°C or 80°C, 30 V for use in internal wiring or external interconnection of electronic equipment used in (NEC compliant) Class 2 power-limited circuits only. (See Article 725 of the ANSI/NFPA 70 National Electrical Code for more detailed information.)



HDMI cabling, not unlike like copper twisted-pair structured cabling used for (Ethernet) networking applications, is categorized into performance classifications, i.e., Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 cable is rated for standard performance applications and Category 2 cable is rated for high speed, higher performance applications. Cabling that is not marked or imprinted with a specific performance classification on the outer jacketing is invariably assumed to be classified no higher than the lowest performance classification. Cable performance (including the performance classification) becomes more important as the length of the HDMI cable increases, especially when working with cable distances longer than 8 to 10 meters (or approx. 25 to 30 feet.)



In your case 26 AWG, CL2-rated, Category 1 HDMI cabling should be sufficient when working with video signals no higher than 1080i/30 and 1080p/30 and cable lengths under 25 to 30 feet. For video applications that exceed 1080p/30 you should use equivalent Category 2 rated HDMI cabling. When in doubt (or for peace of mind,) especially whenever you’re dealing with cable lengths greater than 25 feet, choose HDMI cabling and interconnects that have been tested and certified to meet higher performance (Category 2) standards.



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Blue Jeans Cable Articles

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Online Certifications Directory

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Online Certifications Directory - Quick Guide

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Info Guide: Power-limited Circuit Cable

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