When working with Ethernet Cables, we hear the definition of CAT5e Cable and CAT6 Cable, so what exactly is the main difference? Both of these cables are known as twisted pair copper cable, each of them have 8 individual insulated copper wires and are normally terminated having an RJ-45 connector. So what’s the large deal?
The main 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 absolutely was often linked to the wall similar to a Dado Rail and it was generally known as Thick Ethernet. It was built to pass Ethernet signals at 10 Mbps more than a maximum distance of 500 metres, this also may be extended approximately 2500 metres using 4 repeaters.
10Base2
10Base2 networks utilised 50 ohm impedance coaxial cable that’s much thinner plus more flexible than 10Base5, though the Ethernet signals were still built to be transmitted over this medium at 10 Mbps, albeit on the much shorter distance close to 185 metres, that could be extended approximately 925 metres with the addition of 4 repeaters. The two 10Base5 and 10Base2 standards are becoming largely obsolete and twisted pair cable is currently the normal wired network medium.
Twisted Pair Ethernet Cable
10BaseT was made in the early 1980s and yes it mainly used Category 3 cable for transmissions approximately 10 Mbs over distances approximately 100 metres. Ethernet standards evolved to feature faster data rate transmission and the 10BaseTx 100 Mbps and 1000Baset 1000 Mbps standards were introduced. Cat3 cable was not longer had sufficient bandwidth reply to take care of these faster technologies therefore, the Cat5 and Cat5e cable standards were introduced which allowed data speeds at approximately 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps respectively. The first Cat5 standard was fine for the 100BaseTx transmissions but was quickly superseded by Cat5e since the 1000BaseT standard became commonplace.
So what is the main difference between CAT5e and CAT6 Cable? Well the cables are constructed in a similar manner with 4 copper pairs, making 8 wires in whole. Each pair of wires are colour coded and twisted around one another in lessening Crosstalk. The Cat5e cable is rated around 100Mhz and supports around 1 Gigabit Ethernet, whilst the Cat6 cable is rated around 250Mhz and can 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 could be that the sheath thickness is also greater low-priced Cat6 with Cat5e. Some of the Category 6 cables also have a Nylon Spine and also the blend of this spine and the thicker sheath drive back Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) and Alien Crosstalk (AXT), that may increase since the frequency increases.
Most Ethernet Cables available are UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair), because they are the cables recommended to use relating to the add-ons such as computers as well as the wall socket. STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) Cables are recommended to be utilized for outdoor installations as well as cable runs inside internal walls.
Stranded cables tend to be more flexible and so are more regularly useful for computer to wall socket as well as general home network use, but often businesses usually like the solid cables in relation 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 many applications for speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second, however if you anticipate the use of 10 Gbps Ethernet later on then Category 6 cable will future proof neglect the. Also Category 6 cable, even in the 1 Gbps speeds can give enhanced protection against errors.
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