Have you ever wondered what separates a CAT6 cable from its predecessor, CAT5? You’re not alone! In this blog post, we explain what CAT6 cables are for and look at the key differences that make them the best choice for networking. Join us as we explain the differences between CAT5 and CAT6 for people like you who want to learn more about these significant cables. Get ready to upgrade your knowledge and enhance your connectivity!
What is cat5?
Cat 5 is an Ethernet cable type. It allows data transfer rates of up to 12.5 megabytes per second or 100 Mbps. Cat 5 cables operate at 100 MHz and have a maximum range of 100 meters between devices. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Category 5 Ethernet cables were extensively utilized for constructing local area networks. They were adequate for 100BASE-T “Fast Ethernet” networks since they enabled 100 Mbps transfer speeds. Cat 5e cables, compatible with 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet), began to replace Cat 5 connections in 2001. Currently, the majority of wired networks use Cat 5e or higher cables. Cat 5’s low maximum data transfer rate would cause a bottleneck in most current networks.
What is cat6?
Cat 6 is a twisted pair cable used in Gigabit (Gb) Ethernet-based computer networks. EIA/TIA defined and described it in 2002. Cat 6 cables are typically employed in computer networks with a data transfer rate (DTR) of 1 Gb, 1000 Mbps, or 1 Gbps. Cat 6 cables are compatible with Ethernet networks, such as 10Base-T, 100Base-TX, 1000Base-T, and 10 GBase-T.
What is the difference between cat5 and cat6?
We covered most distinctions between Cat 5 and Cat 6 cables in the definition above, so you should already know them. If you want to know more, there’s a lot to explore. So, we present all the differences between cat5 and cat6 here:
Bandwidth: Cat 5 and Cat 6 performance varies. This means their bandwidth and transfer speeds are different. Cat 6 can transmit up to 10 Gbps, compared to Cat 5’s 100 Mbps. This bandwidth is excellent for speedier internet connections and local file transfers.
Frequency: Cat and Cat 6 use different signal transport frequencies. Cat 5 uses a 100 MHz frequency, which is sluggish. This frequency is handled by the older 1000Base-T/TX standard, which has low performance. Cat 6 can reach up to 250 MHz for enhanced performance, especially with its newer 10GBASE-T standard.
Safety: Safety is crucial for industrial Ethernet cables. Cat 6’s plastic shell is thicker than Cat 5’s for the same reason. Hence, it is more crosstalk-resistant. This helps maintain high transfer speeds while using long-distance Ethernet lines.
What is the Purpose of CAT6 Cable?
One Gigabit per second data transfer speed is supported, and a maximum of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections are supported across a distance of up to 50 meters when using a single Cat 6 cable.
Four copper wire pairs are in a cable, all used for signaling to ensure optimal performance. If you’re using 10/100/1000 BASE-T, the maximum cable length you can have is 100 meters.
For 100m, 90m will be horizontal wiring connecting the wall jack and the patch panel. A five-meter stranded patch cable will connect the jack to the gadget. But, if you’re using 10GBASE-T, the cable length should be at most 55 meters.
After going through these specifics, you should understand the difference between CAT5 and CAT6. As we compared Cat5 and Cat 6 above, you can now choose one. If you do not have equipment compatible with Cat 6, its performance numbers are superior.