When utilizing Ethernet Cables, we hear the phrase CAT5e Cable and CAT6 Cable, so what exactly is the real difference? Both these cables are called twisted pair copper cable, both have 8 individual insulated copper wires and both are normally terminated with an RJ-45 connector. What is the top deal?
The initial Ethernet data standards used copper coaxial cable to transfer data for the early packet switched networks.
10Base5
10Base5 networks used fairly stiff 0.375 inch, 50 ohm impedance coaxial cable, and was often characterised by its Creamy Yellow external insulated coating. It had been often coupled to the wall much like a Dado Rail and it was often known as Thick Ethernet. It was built to pass Ethernet signals at 10 Mbps more than a maximum distance of 500 metres, and this might be extended as much as 2500 metres using 4 repeaters.
10Base2
10Base2 networks utilised 50 ohm impedance coaxial cable that has been much thinner and more flexible than 10Base5, nevertheless the Ethernet signals remained meant to be transmitted over this medium at 10 Mbps, albeit over a much shorter distance of around 185 metres, that may be extended approximately 925 metres with the addition of 4 repeaters. Both the 10Base5 and 10Base2 standards have become largely obsolete and twisted pair cable is now the common wired network medium.
Twisted Pair Ethernet Cable
10BaseT was created noisy . 1980s and yes it mainly used Category 3 cable for transmissions as much as 10 Mbs over distances approximately 100 metres. Ethernet standards evolved to feature faster data rate transmission and also the 10BaseTx 100 Mbps and 1000Baset 1000 Mbps standards were introduced. Cat3 cable was no longer had sufficient bandwidth reply to handle these faster technologies and so the Cat5 and Cat5e cable standards were introduced which allowed data speeds at as much as 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps respectively. The initial Cat5 standard was acceptable for the 100BaseTx transmissions but was quickly superseded by Cat5e since the 1000BaseT standard became commonplace.
So what is the difference between CAT5e and CAT6 Cable? Well the cables are constructed in a similar way with 4 copper pairs, making 8 wires in whole. Each set of wires are colour coded and twisted around one another to help reduce Crosstalk. The Cat5e cable is rated as much as 100Mhz and supports as much as 1 Gigabit Ethernet, whilst the Cat6 cable is rated around 250Mhz and will support 10 Gigabit Ethernet signals.
Cat6 Ethernet Cable has over 2 twists per centimetre whereas Cat5e Ethernet Cable has only 1.5 to 2 twists per centimetre. This means that Cat6 Cable better protects against Crosstalk. Another difference is that the sheath thickness is also greater comparing Cat6 with Cat5e. Some of the Category 6 cables also have a Nylon Spine along with the mix of this spine as well as the thicker sheath control Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) and Alien Crosstalk (AXT), which could increase because the frequency increases.
Most Ethernet Cables being used are UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair), because they include the cables recommended to use between peripheral devices like computers and the wall socket. STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) Cables are recommended to use for outdoor installations and also for cable runs inside internal walls.
Stranded cables will be more flexible and therefore are often useful for computer to wall socket as well as general home network use, but often businesses usually prefer the solid cables in terms of the wiring inside walls and wiring ducts because of its superior strength and enhanced network performance.
In summary, Category 5 enhanced cables are sufficient for some applications for boosts to a single Gigabit per second, though if you anticipate using 10 Gbps Ethernet later on then Category 6 cable will future proof your investment. Also Category 6 cable, even in the 1 Gbps speeds gives enhanced protection against errors.
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