When working with Ethernet Cables, we hear the definition of CAT5e Cable and CAT6 Cable, so what exactly is the difference? These two cables are termed as twisted pair copper cable, both have 8 individual insulated copper wires and are normally terminated with an RJ-45 connector. So what is the big deal?
The initial Ethernet data standards used copper coaxial cable to transfer data about 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 attached to the wall much like a Dado Rail and was referred to as Thick Ethernet. It turned out built to pass Ethernet signals at 10 Mbps on the maximum distance of 500 metres, and also this could be extended around 2500 metres using 4 repeaters.
10Base2
10Base2 networks utilised 50 ohm impedance coaxial cable that has been much thinner plus more flexible than 10Base5, but the Ethernet signals were built to be transmitted over this medium at 10 Mbps, albeit over a much shorter distance of about 185 metres, which could be extended around 925 metres with the addition of 4 repeaters. Both the 10Base5 and 10Base2 standards are becoming largely obsolete and twisted pair cable is the normal wired network medium.
Twisted Pair Ethernet Cable
10BaseT was developed during the early 1980s also it mainly used Category 3 cable for transmissions up to 10 Mbs over distances around 100 metres. Ethernet standards evolved to add faster data rate transmission and also the 10BaseTx 100 Mbps and 1000Baset 1000 Mbps standards were introduced. Cat3 cable wasn’t any longer had sufficient bandwidth reply to cope with these faster technologies and so the Cat5 and Cat5e cable standards were introduced which allowed data speeds at approximately 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps respectively. The original Cat5 standard was acceptable for the 100BaseTx transmissions but was quickly superseded by Cat5e as the 1000BaseT standard became commonplace.
So what exactly is the real difference between CAT5e and CAT6 Cable? Well the cables are constructed in the same way with 4 copper pairs, making 8 wires as a whole. Each set of two wires are colour coded and twisted around the other in lessening Crosstalk. The Cat5e cable is rated approximately 100Mhz and supports up to 1 Gigabit Ethernet, whilst the Cat6 cable is rated approximately 250Mhz which enable it to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet signals.
Cat6 Ethernet Cable has over 2 twists per centimetre whereas Cat5e Ethernet Cable only has 1.5 to two twists per centimetre. The result is that Cat6 Cable better protects against Crosstalk. Another difference is the sheath thickness is additionally greater when you compare Cat6 with Cat5e. Some of the Category 6 cables also have a Nylon Spine and the blend of this spine and also the thicker sheath drive back 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 these include the cables recommended for use relating to the peripheral devices including computers and the wall socket. STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) Cables are recommended to be utilized for outdoor installations and for cable runs inside internal walls.
Stranded cables are more flexible and so are more often employed for computer to wall socket and for general home network use, but often businesses usually choose the solid cables when it comes to the wiring inside walls and wiring ducts due to its superior strength and enhanced network performance.
To conclude, Category 5 enhanced cables are sufficient for some applications for accelerates to a single Gigabit per second, but if you anticipate using 10 Gbps Ethernet down the road then Category 6 cable will future proof forget about the. Also Category 6 cable, even at the 1 Gbps speeds can give enhanced protection against errors.
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