We all apply ethernet cables in our homes and at workplace . And while it ’s unremarkably the IT guy who take care of it , if you are running your own media waiter , or just desire toshare files between two computers , it ’s good the difference between popular LAN cable .
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Ethernet Cable Types
Ethernet cables can be divided into unlike categories with each family having sealed strengths and weaknesses . Each family offer different data channel speed , electromagnetic shield , frequency range of a function , and caliber size ( SWGorAWG ) .
Each family of ethernet cable has been number consecutive , and sometimes , they are sub - dual-lane with alphabets to mean pocket-sized updates .
1. CAT 5 Ethernet Cable
Cat 5 ethernet cable succeeded Cat 3 and 4 and was project to meet the indigence for a transmission line that could substantiate gamey speeds . Cat 5cables backup 10/100 Mbps which translate into data transference velocity of either 10 or 100 Mbps . Cat 5 , a UTP cable television service , was the first ethernet cable system that also supported telecasting and telephone set signals .
TIA / EIA does n’t recognize Cat 5 which is mostly used for 100Base - T and 1000Base - tetraiodothyronine networks . big cat 5 is not in role these days and has go disused in most land .
2. CAT 5e Ethernet Cable
Cat 5e was inaugurate to remove the shortcomings for Cat 5 and summate some more functionalities to an already successful ethernet cable . It was heighten to reduce unwanted transmission of data and signal and increased the transmission speed to 1000 Mbps .
Unlike Cat 5 which expend only two out of the four uncommitted twisted yoke of wire , Cat 5e get to use of all four allowing for better mastery over speeding . Cat 5e , which are compatible backward with Cat 5 suffer installing , but maintains the bandwidth at 100 MHz .
Cat 5e has been defined by the TIA / EIA-568 - B and is recognized by the same .
3. CAT 6 Ethernet Cable
Cat 6 was developed with advancement in technology and the need to remove more datum at faster speeds . Caterpillar 5e was already handling gigabit velocity , Cat 6 was further ameliorate to offer a bandwidth of 250 MHz . The wires were fragile than before , occupied less space , and the insulation was improved as well .
The rise in electromagnetic interference at workplace also contributed to the achiever of Cat 6 which was capable of offer a serious signal to interference ratio , and more adept at deal the said hinderance .
Unlike the previous variation , Cat 6 ethernet cables are useable in both UTP ( shielded perverted pair ) and STP forms . Cat 6 is backward compatible with Cat 5 and Cat 5e .
It is to be noted here that Cat 5e Ethernet cables are more suitable for most average ferment environments , with Cat 6 being for special purposes . computed axial tomography 5e is also much cheaper than Cat 6 wee-wee it the obvious choice for households and small business sector .
African tea 6 ethernet cables are 55 measure only because they can suffer data transmission system at high speeds for the said distance only .
4. CAT 6a Ethernet Cable
kat 6a was inaugurate with some nonaged enhancements like bandwidth oftenness of up to 500 megahertz and data transmission speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps . The “ a ” in Cat 6a stands for augmented . Unlike Cat 6 , using Cat 6a will require you a special connector as it is not pronto available in UTP form . It affirm STP .
5. CAT 7 Ethernet Cable
Cat 7 or Class F ( ISO / IEC 11801 ) offers the same fastness as Cat 6a , 10,000 Mbps , however , increases the bandwidth further to 600 MHz . Cat & ethernet cables are amply shield with SSTP ( screened and shielded twisted pair ) wires as well as layers of insulation .
This realize the Cat 7 ethernet cable really thick , unmanageable fold , and bulky . One point to keep in mind is that if the cables ’ shielding layer are not grounded , you will not notice any deviation between a Cat 6 and Cat 7 cable . They will well-nigh work at the same speeds .
Although Cat 7 offer in high spirits focal ratio at 10 Gbps , they do work only at a chain of up to 15 meters . This is why they are more worthy for connecting your computers withLANand modem . The GigaGate45 connexion used by Cat 7 ethernet cables are backwards compatible with all Ethernet ports .
How to Choose an Ethernet Cable
Your ethernet cable television service pick will largely depend on your cyberspace association . If you Internet plan is in gigabits , you will want to prefer a cable length that will support those speeds .
If you are expect to install at your menage , I guess , you do n’t have to concern about this part , but if you are using in a professional setting , you will require to consider connection speeds . Think big file like movies and other content being moved around frequently .
You will also have to choose the router carefully . An cheap router will not support more than 100 Mbps . In an ideal scenario , if you are a plate user , Cat 5e should be secure enough , while for office utilization Cat 6 should do the whoremaster . You do not need Cat 7 . It is n’t even a veridical standard yet
Wrapping Up: Ethernet Cable Types
CAT5 , CAT5e , and CAT6 the difference in the twists . The maximal speed and distance of CAT5 and CAT6 are pretty much the same . In general , the higher you go , the more shielding you get and thus the transmission line are thicker and quicker .
Here is a graphical summary of all the dissimilar ethernet cable types and their features .
prefer the right ethernet overseas telegram will mostly depend on your penury and requirements . Also , computers can not tell the difference between CAT5 , CAT6 or CAT7 , but the web interface cards ( NIC ) . If your mesh speed is at 100mbit , then no matter what type of cable system you use , your connection outride at 100mbit .
Do you need to work in an expanse with high electromagnetic folie , need more speeds or want to cut monetary value ?
