When utilizing Ethernet Cables, we hear the definition of CAT5e Cable and CAT6 Cable, so what is the difference? Those two cables are called twisted pair copper cable, they both have 8 individual insulated copper wires and both of them are normally terminated with the RJ-45 connector. So what is the big deal?

The main 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 was often connected to the wall much like a Dado Rail and was referred to as Thick Ethernet. It absolutely was made to pass Ethernet signals at 10 Mbps over a maximum distance of 500 metres, and this could be extended around 2500 metres using 4 repeaters.

10Base2

10Base2 networks utilised 50 ohm impedance coaxial cable that was much thinner plus more flexible than 10Base5, though the Ethernet signals remained as designed to be transmitted over this medium at 10 Mbps, albeit over a much shorter distance of about 185 metres, that may be extended around 925 metres by having 4 repeaters. The 10Base5 and 10Base2 standards have grown to be largely obsolete and twisted pair cable is currently the regular wired network medium.

Twisted Pair Ethernet Cable

10BaseT was developed noisy . 1980s also it mainly used Category 3 cable for transmissions around 10 Mbs over distances approximately 100 metres. Ethernet standards evolved to feature faster data rate transmission along with the 10BaseTx 100 Mbps and 1000Baset 1000 Mbps standards were introduced. Cat3 cable was no longer had sufficient bandwidth reaction to cope with 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 The first Cat5 standard was fine for the 100BaseTx transmissions but was quickly superseded by Cat5e as the 1000BaseT standard became commonplace.

So what is the gap between CAT5e and CAT6 Cable? Well the cables are constructed in a similar way with 4 copper pairs, making 8 wires as a whole. Each couple of wires are colour coded and twisted around the other in reducing Crosstalk. The Cat5e cable is rated up to 100Mhz and supports as much as 1 Gigabit Ethernet, and the Cat6 cable is rated up to 250Mhz and may support 10 Gigabit Ethernet signals.

Cat6 Ethernet Cable has over 2 twists per centimetre whereas Cat5e Ethernet Cable merely has 1.5 to two twists per centimetre. The result is that Cat6 Cable better protects against Crosstalk. Another difference would be that the sheath thickness can be greater comparing Cat6 with Cat5e. Some of the Category 6 cables actually have a Nylon Spine and also the mixture of this spine along with the thicker sheath control Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) and Alien Crosstalk (AXT), which may increase because the frequency increases.

Most Ethernet Cables available are UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair), since these include the cables recommended to be utilized involving the peripheral devices for example computers as well as the wall socket. STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) Cables are suggested to be used for outdoor installations and for cable runs inside internal walls.

Stranded cables tend to be flexible and they are often employed for computer to wall socket as well as general home network use, but often businesses usually choose the solid cables when it comes to the wiring inside walls and wiring ducts because superior strength that has been enhanced network performance.

To sum up, Category 5 enhanced cables are sufficient for most applications for boosts to a single Gigabit per second, though if you anticipate the usage of 10 Gbps Ethernet in the foreseeable future 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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