What are the types of Ethernet cable?

Views: 10     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2022-07-15      Origin: Site

Ethernet is a local area network (LAN) technology that uses wired connections to connect multiple computers or devices. It also has a wired area network (WAN) application.

What does an Ethernet cable do?

You can use an Ethernet cable for a stable connection to the Internet. Ethernet cables are used for file sharing and transferring information for wired, high-speed DSL connections. You can also find it in router connections, hubs, switches, printers, telecommunications, voice and data transmission, workstations, and gaming interconnections.

How does network Ethernet cable work?

Ethernet cables consist of twisted wires, each pair eliminating EMI or electromagnetic interference and external interference. The cables are terminated with the 8P8C modular connector (RJ45) used in short patch cords. Ethernet bulk cables are used for longer installations and structured cabling.

Types of Ethernet Cables

Category cables are built to different specifications to support different bandwidth capabilities for certain applications.

What does “cat” mean?

You may often find this term when you browse google on Ethernet cables. “CAT” is short for Category, located at the beginning of the Ethernet cable type name. For example, Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables.

What does the Category cable number stand for?

The higher the category number of a cable, the higher its bandwidth capability and frequency. With that, it is naturally also more expensive. But that doesn’t mean you have to buy an Ethernet cable with higher speed capabilities just because you need a strong and stable Internet connection. If you’re a small business owner, you can buy Cat5e or Cat6, depending on which is right for you.

Category 5e

Cat5e is the next generation of Ethernet cable after the Cat5 cable. It offers enhanced data transmission and lower crosstalk than Cat5. Unfortunately, Cat5 is now obsolete. Today, the Cat5e version is the popular cable for network communications, handling up to 10/100 Mbps TIA/EIA standards at 100 MHz bandwidth.

Category 6

Cat6 cables offer higher data rates than Cat5e cables. Cat6 cables can support the high speeds required by the 10G-BaseT (10Gig) Ethernet standard. It is designed to further reduce crosstalk and noise compared to categories with a lower generation. It is also backward compatible with Category 5 cables and devices.

Category 6A

Cat6A is an “enhanced” Category 6 cable that outperforms its lower generation counterparts. Notably, its improved foreign crosstalk characteristics allow 10GBASE-T runs of 100 meters. Compared to Cat 6 cables, Cat 6a cables support twice the bandwidth. They can be run over longer cable lengths without losing their transmission capability.

Category 7

Cat7 cables represent the seventh generation of cable standards. They are the preferred choice for future-proofing data centers and network convergence. Of course, the Cat7 cable is more expensive than other lower-generation cables.

The cable is shielded for enhanced protection against RFI and EMI, enabling completely noise-free and high-security applications. It can be terminated with modular connectors, such as the 8P8C GG45 connector, ARJ45, or the popular TERA connector.

Category 8

Category 8 cable is the latest and fastest network cable to be released in early 2019. It is designed to enhance the future of copper cable as it offers many benefits for data centers. Cat8 cable supports four times the bandwidth of Cat6A copper cable. It is approved to support standard distances of 30 meters to 36 meters at up to 2000 MHz. Cat8 is available for 25 and 40GBASE-T applications.

The following is a summary of the categories of cables:

Category Frequency Ethernet Signal Supported Shielded Connector Applications
Cat5e 100 MHz 10/100Base-T Optional 8p8c, RJ45 Small office, home office, schools
Cat6 250 MHz 10/100Base-T Optional 8p8c, RJ45 Small office, home, schools
Cat6A 500 MHz 10/100Base-T, 10 Gigabit Ethernet Optional 8p8c, RJ45 Large enterprise, universities, high speed application
Cat7 600 MHz 10/100Base-T, 10 Gigabit Ethernet Foiled and Shielded GG45, TERA Data center backbone, high speed and bandwidth intensive applications
Cat8 1000 25/40GBASE-T25 Gigabit Ethernet Foiled and Shielded 8p8c, RJ45 High Speed Data center backbone, super high bandwidth applications

Customized high quality Ethernet cable, choose dedicated Ethernet cable manufacturer-Dehui

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