Ethernet cables are very common cables used for connectivity in most office and home environments. Ethernet cables help in connecting devices such as PCs, routers, and switches with Local area networks.
Though, Ethernet cables are optimized to perform certain tasks in specific situations. These physical cables are limited by length and durability.
There are various types of Ethernet cables available that can obtain speed variations, crossover cables. Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat 7 are the most commonly used cables out there.
These are network cables that are used for connecting a variety of network elements from Ethernet switches to Ethernet routers to computers.
Let’s know what these cables are and where are they used:
1. Cat 5 :
Cat 5 cable is one of the oldest networking transmission cables. Cat 5 uses 10BASE-T up to 100BASE-T standard for data transmission.The maximum suitable frequency is 100 MHz and 100Mbps is the highest rate of data transmission. It uses two pairs of cable to signal over copper wire. Cat 5 replaced the Cat 3 cable as it is having more speed and frequency. But in the present time, they are slow and now have been discontinued.
2. Cat 5e :
This form of cable is recognized by the TIA/EIA and is defined in TIA/EIA-568. It has a slightly higher frequency and speed than the Cat 5. So it is called Category 5 enhanced (Cat 5e).
Cat5E Cable is just physically the same as Cat 5 but a difference in speed and frequency.
The speed is slightly more than Cat 5 (100Mbps); Cat 5e (125Mbps). Cat 5e is tested to a higher specification to ensure better performance at a higher speed.
3. Cat 6 :
This cable is defined in TIA/EIA-568-B provides a significant improvement in performance over Cat5 and Cat 5e. During manufacture, Cat6 cables are more tightly wound than either Cat 5 or Cat 5e. They often have an outer foil or braided shielding. The shielding protects the twisted pairs of wires inside the Ethernet cable, helping to prevent crosstalk and noise interference. Cat-6 cables can technically support speeds up to 10 Gbps, but can only do so for up to 55 meters.
The Cat 6 Ethernet cables generally have 2+ twists per cm and some may include a nylon spline to reduce crosstalk, although this is not actually required by the standard.
4.Cat 6a :
The “a” in Cat 6a stands for “Augmented” and the Cat6a cables are able to support twice the maximum bandwidth, and are capable of maintaining higher transmission speeds over longer network cable lengths.Cat 6a cables utilize shields which are adequate to all but eliminate crosstalk. This makes them less flexible than Cat 6 cable.The improved specification and shielding allow CAT6a to provide more consistently reliable speeds in difficult environments.
5.Cat 7 :
CAT7, also known as Class F cable, supports transmission frequencies of up to 600 MHz. It supports 10GBASE-T Ethernet over a full 100 meters, and it features improved crosstalk noise reduction. While CAT6e is the current standard when it comes to 10GBASE-T, it will inevitably be replaced with CAT7.
Well, there are many major types of Ethernet cables that are used according to your needs and suits according to your work. The easiest way to select a cable is to pick one with the range and performance you need. Each cable has its own benefits and can perform the best at their displays. To get these specified cables, visit us at Fruity Cables Ltd.
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