Ethernet Cables
Ethernet Cable Types
| Type | Shielding | Frequency | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat 3 | No | 16Mhz | 10Mbps |
| Cat 5 | No | 100MHz | 100Mbps |
| Cat 5e | No | 100MHz | 1Gbps |
| Cat 6 | Sometimes | 250Mhz | 1Gbps |
| Cat 6a | Sometimes | 500MHz | 10Gbps |
| Cat 7 | Yes | 600Mhz | 10Gbps |
| Cat 8 | Yes | 2GHz | 40Gbps |
Notes
Category-3
Cat 3 cable is an early generation of ethernet cable, and it supports a maximum frequency of 16 MHz. This cable may have 2, 3, or 4 copper pairs. Cat 3 is used for two-line telephone systems and 10BASE-T networks. It can be used for some alarm systems.
Category-5
Cat 5 cables are slow compared to more modern cable types. Use this cable type if you have older hardware that demands outdated hardware but, otherwise more modern cable choices are available.
Category-5e
Cat 5e is one of the most popular ethernet types. It can support Gigabit speeds at a very reasonable price / benefit ratio. It is widely used in residential areas and is one of the least expensive cabling options currently available.
Category-6
Cat6 supports up to 10 Gbps. Cat 6 cables are more tightly twisted than Cat5e and feature two or more twists per centimeter. It only supports 37-55 meter runs if you wish to transmit at 10 Gbps speed.
Category-6a
Cat 6a ethernet cable is similar to Cat 6 but, supports frequencies of up to 500 MHz. Cat 6a cabling is thicker when compared to Cat 6 and therefore it is less flexible. Typically, it is more suited for industrial environments.
Category-7
Cat 7 promises speeds of up to 40 Gbps at 50 meter runs and 100 Gb at 15 meter runs. This type of cable features extensive shielding to decrease signal degradation. It is relatively stiff in compared to previous types. Cat 7 type of cabling is frequently found in large data centres.
Category-8
Cat 8 is used for operations of up to 2000 MHz. CAT 8 cables work with 25/40GBASE-T Gigabit which promises reduced power consumption in bandwidth intensive data centres. It should be used where cable runs are short but, CAT 8 is backwards compatible with previous generations.