There are two types of Cat5 cable: Cat5 and Cat5e. Depending on the user's needs, Cat5 or Cat5e may suffice, while others opt for the slightly more expensive Cat6 cable. Knowing the differences between the cables, the details of your usage needs and your desired location for the wires can aid decision making. Armed with this knowledge you can improve your Internet connections and make your Internet use more efficient by choosing the most appropriate cable for your needs and environment.
Cat5
Standard Cat5 (or "category 5") cable generally supports network connections that run at 10 Mbps (megabits per second) and 100 Mbps. Cat5 cable is most often used for Internet connections, although it can be used for some other telecommunications and data purposes as well. Inside the Cat5 cable are four pairs of wires that may be aligned in a direct way in the connectors, matching the colors in the same order on both ends or configured in certain orders for different purposes. In general, Cat5 cable loses its signal strength when the cable runs longer than 100 meters. Cat5 cable supports a bandwidth of about 100 Mhz.
Cat5e
Cat5e is an enhanced version of the Cat5 cable that supports bandwidth of 350 Mhz and can replace Cat5 cable in any circumstance. Cat5e was enhanced to support network connections at 1000 Mbps, which is also known as "gigabit Ethernet." "Crosstalk," a term which describes the occurrence of the confusion of signals between cables, was reduced by the enhancements to Cat5e in comparison to the standard Cat5 as well. Cat5e cable is ideal for users of gigabit Ethernet looking to maximize their connection and data speeds.
Cat6
Cat6 (or "category 6") cable is similar to Cat5 cable and is often used for Ethernet, LAN and similar connections. Like Cat5, Cat6 cable also serves multiple telecommunications purposes, works with phone and video signals and may be used in place of Cat5 cable. Cat6 cable uses 23AWG (or American wire gauge) wires, which implies that the wires inside the cable are thinner than the 2AWG used in Cat5 cable and the Cat6 cable has better insulation. Like Cat5 and Cat5e, Cat6 cable works best at less than 100 meters in length. Cat6 cable supports bandwidth of 250 Mhz and so is greater than Cat5 but not quite up to what Cat5e provides.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the decision to use Cat5, Cat5e or Cat6 cable will depend on the use. For most home Internet connections, as long as the distance between the devices is less than 100 meters (about 330 feet), any of the cables will work but Cat5e or Cat6 will offer faster Internet speeds. If your Internet is primarily Wi-Fi, the cable used for the basic connections can be any of these. There is also a price factor that can be the underlying decision-maker: Cat6 cable is slightly more expensive than Cat5 or Cat5e.
References
- The Network Cabling Directory: Cat5 vs Cat5e vs Cat6 -- Which Should You Use?
- Cat5 vs Cat6
- Donutey: Ethernet Cable Identification and Use