What’s the Difference Between CAT5e and CAT6 Ethernet Cables?
When using Ethernet Cables, we hear the phrase CAT5e Cable and CAT6 Cable, so what is the real difference? Both of these cables are referred to as twisted pair copper cable, both of them have 8 individual insulated copper wires and are both normally terminated by having an RJ-45 connector. What is the top deal?
The initial Ethernet data standards used copper coaxial cable to transfer data around the early packet switched networks.
10Base5
10Base5 networks used fairly stiff 0.375 inch, 50 ohm impedance coaxial cable, and it was often characterised by its Creamy Yellow external insulated coating. It turned out often coupled to the wall much like a Dado Rail and was referred to as Thick Ethernet. It turned out made to pass Ethernet signals at 10 Mbps more than a maximum distance of 500 metres, which may be extended approximately 2500 metres using 4 repeaters.
10Base2
10Base2 networks utilised 50 ohm impedance coaxial cable that was much thinner plus more flexible than 10Base5, nevertheless the Ethernet signals were still designed to be transmitted over this medium at 10 Mbps, albeit more than a much shorter distance of about 185 metres, that may be extended around 925 metres by building 4 repeaters. Both the 10Base5 and 10Base2 standards are becoming largely obsolete and twisted pair cable is currently the normal wired network medium.
Twisted Pair Ethernet Cable
10BaseT originated in early 1980s and yes it mainly used Category 3 cable for transmissions up to 10 Mbs over distances approximately 100 metres. Ethernet standards evolved to feature faster data rate transmission as well as the 10BaseTx 100 Mbps and 1000Baset 1000 Mbps standards were introduced. Cat3 cable had not been longer had sufficient bandwidth a reaction to take care of these faster technologies so the Cat5 and Cat5e cable standards were introduced which allowed data speeds at up to 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps respectively. The initial Cat5 standard was fine for the 100BaseTx transmissions but was quickly superseded by Cat5e as the 1000BaseT standard became commonplace.
So what is the real 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 two wires are colour coded and twisted around one another in lessening Crosstalk. The Cat5e cable is rated around 100Mhz and supports approximately 1 Gigabit Ethernet, and the Cat6 cable is rated approximately 250Mhz and will 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 that the sheath thickness can also be greater comparing Cat6 with Cat5e. A number of the Category 6 cables also have a Nylon Spine as well as the blend of this spine as well as the thicker sheath protect against Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) and Alien Crosstalk (AXT), which can increase because the frequency increases.
Most Ethernet Cables in use are UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair), as these will be the cables recommended to be used relating to the add-ons including computers and also the wall socket. STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) Cables are suggested to be used for outdoor installations as well as cable runs inside internal walls.
Stranded cables will be more flexible and they are more frequently employed for computer to wall socket and for general home network use, but often businesses usually choose to solid cables in relation to the wiring inside walls and wiring ducts because superior strength and enhanced network performance.
To conclude, Category 5 enhanced cables are sufficient for most applications for speeds up one Gigabit per second, however if you anticipate the usage of 10 Gbps Ethernet in the foreseeable future then Category 6 cable will future proof forget about the. Also Category 6 cable, even in the 1 Gbps speeds will give enhanced protection against errors.
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