When working with Ethernet Cables, we hear the phrase CAT5e Cable and CAT6 Cable, so what is the gap? Both these cables are called twisted pair copper cable, they both have 8 individual insulated copper wires and both are normally terminated by having an RJ-45 connector. So what is the top deal?
The initial Ethernet data standards used copper coaxial cable to transfer data on 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 coupled to the wall similar to a Dado Rail and was referred to as Thick Ethernet. It had been built to pass Ethernet signals at 10 Mbps over a maximum distance of 500 metres, this also could be extended around 2500 metres using 4 repeaters.
10Base2
10Base2 networks utilised 50 ohm impedance coaxial cable that has been much thinner and much more flexible than 10Base5, though the Ethernet signals remained designed to be transmitted over this medium at 10 Mbps, albeit over a much shorter distance of around 185 metres, that could be extended up to 925 metres by having 4 repeaters. Both the 10Base5 and 10Base2 standards have grown to be largely obsolete and twisted pair cable is the most popular wired network medium.
Twisted Pair Ethernet Cable
10BaseT was made in the early 1980s plus 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 the 10BaseTx 100 Mbps and 1000Baset 1000 Mbps standards were introduced. Cat3 cable was no longer had sufficient bandwidth reaction to take care of these faster technologies and the Cat5 and Cat5e cable standards were introduced which allowed data speeds at up to 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps respectively. The original Cat5 standard was acceptable for the 100BaseTx transmissions but was quickly superseded by Cat5e since the 1000BaseT standard became commonplace.
So what is the real difference between CAT5e and CAT6 Cable? Well the cables are constructed in the likewise manner with 4 copper pairs, making 8 wires in total. Each couple of wires are colour coded and twisted around each other in lowering Crosstalk. The Cat5e cable is rated around 100Mhz and supports approximately 1 Gigabit Ethernet, as 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 merely has 1.5 to 2 twists per centimetre. Consequently Cat6 Cable better protects against Crosstalk. Another difference is the sheath thickness is additionally greater low-priced Cat6 with Cat5e. Many of the Category 6 cables actually have a Nylon Spine along with the mixture of this spine and the thicker sheath control Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) and Alien Crosstalk (AXT), which may increase because the frequency increases.
Most Ethernet Cables in use are UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair), since these will be the cables recommended for use between add-ons for example computers and also the wall socket. STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) Cables are suggested for use for outdoor installations and for cable runs inside internal walls.
Stranded cables are more flexible and they are more regularly used for computer to wall socket as well as for general home network use, but often businesses usually choose the solid cables in relation to the wiring inside walls and wiring ducts due to the superior strength that has been 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 application of 10 Gbps Ethernet later on then Category 6 cable will future proof neglect the. Also Category 6 cable, even at the 1 Gbps speeds will give enhanced protection against errors.
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