How to Pick the Right Ethernet Cable for Your Application
The Main Specs and Applications for Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7 and Cat8
Though there is a lot of talk about wireless and fiber optic connectivity these days, the business world still revolves around Ethernet cables. In most corporate offices, the PCs are connected via Ethernet cables to a central network hub or switch. The cables allow employees to communicate with one another on the network and to access files from servers.
Copper Is Still King
It’s true that copper wires cannot move data as fast as fiber optic cables, and take more work to install than wireless connections. But through the years Ethernet cables have become steadily faster and able to handle more and more bandwidth while remaining less costly than fiber. Also, they offer tighter cybersecurity and more control over access than Wi-Fi.
It is no wonder that most networking devices are still built with RJ-45 connectors. But Ethernet cabling can be confusing, considering all the cable categories that have been introduced over the past 20 years. To help you simplify your purchase decisions, we at ShowMeCables offer a summary of the main specifications and uses of the most popular categories: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7 and Cat8.
Specs:
- Bandwidth: 100 megahertz (MHz)
- Maximum data rate: 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) at up to 100 meters (328 feet)
- A big but affordable upgrade over the 10 to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) data rates of Cat5
Applications:
- The minimum standard unshielded, twisted-pair cabling used for LAN connections
- Used in 100Base-T Ethernet.
- Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Specs:
- Bandwidth of 250 MHz is twice that of Cat5e, with faster upload and download speeds
- data rates: 1 Gbps at up to 100 meters and 10 Gbps at up to 37 meters (121 feet)
- Cable with shielding (STP) protects the inner wires from interference, delivering less cross talk and system noise than Cat5e
Applications:
- Can carry gigabit Ethernet (GbE) in commercial buildings
- Also used for phone lines and in residences
- For those with an internet plan less than 1 Gbps and who want to improve their network’s stability
- PoE
Specs:
- Bandwidth of 500 MHz is twice that of Cat6
- data rate: 10 Gbps at up to 100 meters
- All Cat6a cable is shielded to eliminate interference
Applications:
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet in data centers and commercial buildings
- High-speed office networks
- For those with internet speeds exceeding 1 Gbps who want to ensure they are investing in a system that won’t be outdated in the next several years
- PoE
Specs:
- Bandwidth of 600 MHz is 100 MHz more than Cat6a
- data rates: 10 Gbps at up to 100 meters, 100 Gbps at up to 15 meters (49 feet)
- Shielded cable
- Instead of using the standard RJ-45 Ethernet connector of Cat6 and Cat6a, uses modified GigaGate 45 connector
Applications:
- 10 Gbps core infrastructure
- Data centers and server rooms
- High-speed direct connections between servers, switches and computer networks
- Uploading and downloading large files
- PoE
Specs:
- Bandwidth: 2 GHz over 30 meters (98 feet)
- data rate: 40 Gbps
- Extra cable shielding makes it less flexible in tight spaces
Applications:
- Switch-to-switch communications in a 25Gbase-T or 40Gbase-T network
- Data centers and server rooms
- PoE
Cable Jacketing
Jacket type is another key factor to consider when choosing an Ethernet cable. The jacket you need depends on where the cable will be located – indoors, outdoors, under a drop ceiling, near chemicals and so on. For a summary of jacket choices and features, click here.
ShowMeCables offers a big selection of all the types of Ethernet cables discussed here, from Ethernet patch cables to bulk Ethernet cable to custom Ethernet cables. Most of our 15,000+ items are in-stock and available for same-day shipping. If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you at 1-855-958-3212.
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