What Are the Differences Between CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, & CAT7?
August 24, 2010
The simple answer concerning the differences between cable is this:
CAT-5 is rated to 100M
CAT-5e is rated to 350M
CAT-6 and CAT6e is rated to 550M or 1000M depending on your source
CAT-7 is supposedly rated to 700M or presumably 1000M
Today there is no approved CAT-6 or CAT-7. While some folks are selling products they call Level 6 or 7, there aren’t even specs for them, making CAT-5e the best available option. CAT-6 cable is being made with 23 guage conductor wire as opposed to the slightly smaller 24 guage for CAT-5e and also has a separator to handle crosstalk better.
Both CAT-5 and CAT-5e have 100 ohm impedance and electrical characteristics supporting transmissions up to 100 MHz. The differences between CAT-5 and CAT-5e show in all aspects of performance: capacitance, frequency, resistance, attenuation, and NEXT. CAT-5e components were designed with high-speed gigabit Ethernet in mind. While CAT-5 components may function to some degree in a gigabit Ethernet, they perform below standard during high-data transfer scenarios. CAT-5e cables work with ATM and gigabit speed products. Simply, if you are using a 100Mbps switch, get CAT-5e cable instead of CAT-5.
CAT-5e is formally called ANSI/TIA/EIA 568A-5 or simply Cat-5e (the e stands for ‘enhanced’). CAT-5e is completely backward compatible with current CAT-5 equipment. The enhanced electrical performance of CAT-5e ensures that the cable will support applications that require additional bandwidth, such as gigabit Ethernet or analog video.
Whatever cable is right for you, make sure that the one putting in your cable is Allen Tel Certified. Only Allen Tel certified technicians can give you a warranty on your cable and work for 25 years. If you live or operate business within the Puget Sound Area of Washington State, Premiere Communications, Inc. meets and exceeds these qualifications. Cal today at 800-201-000.
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