Network Ethernet Cables

When deciding whether to use Tripp Lite by Eaton’s Category 5e, 6, or 6a cables for an Ethernet network, cost, data transfer speed, and connection distance are key factors. The selection of Cat 5e, 6, or 6a cables is mostly about speed.

Category 5 enhanced (Cat 5e) is the least expensive but also the slowest. It supports data transfer speeds up to 1 Gbps (Gigabit per second) at 100 MHz up to 328 feet. Crosstalk among the wires within the cable is reduced, resulting in less interference and less chance of transmission error. It will provide capable performance for most of today’s applications, but Cat 5e also leaves less opportunity for upgrading in the future.

Category 6 (Cat 6) is pricier and faster than Cat 5e but also limited by distance. It supports data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps at 250 MHz with even less (or no) crosstalk interference due to the cable’s improved insulation; however, its 10 Gbps speed is effective only up to 164 feet. Despite this limitation, Cat 6 cabling is more qualified to handle the fast pace of Gigabit Ethernet networks. It is likely Cat 6 will eventually replace HDMI as the audio/video transmission standard in the future.

Category 6 augmented (Cat 6a) sets the user up for a successful long-term Gigabit Ethernet network. It is more expensive than Cat 5e or Cat 6, but the hardware being connected to the network in the future will only be more sophisticated than it is now. Cat 6a supports the same 10 Gbps transmission speed as Cat 6, but up to 328 feet and 500 MHz with even less crosstalk than Cat 6.

In a speed test, Cat 6 wins every time. While Cat 5e will likely provide the necessary performance a user requires, data transmission rates double every 18 months. If a cable installation is expected to remain unchanged for a few years, users may decide that future-proofing a network with Cat 6 or Cat 6a cabling is safer.

It should be noted that network transmission speed depends on all the components operating at a higher speed. The transmission speed rating for each standard is theoretical, so a legacy device incapable of Gigabit speeds will not be able to attain them just because a faster cable is used.