CAT5 vs CAT5e
The CAT5e specification improved upon the CAT5 specification by tightening crosstalk specifications and introducing new crosstalk specifications that were not originally in the CAT5 specification.
The bandwidth capability of CAT5 and CAT5e is the same (100 MHz) Gigabit. The physical cable construction of CAT5 and CAT5e is the same. The reality is that most CAT5 cables meet CAT5e specifications.
CAT5e vs CAT6
The CAT6 specification improves upon the CAT5e specification by improving frequency response, tightening crosstalk specifications, and introducing more comprehensive crosstalk specifications. The improved performance of CAT6 is 250 MHz and supports 10GBASE-T/10-Gigabit Ethernet.
CAT6 cable is a standardized twisted pair cable for Gigabit Ethernet and is backward compatible with the CAT5/CAT5e/CAT3 cable standards. Compared to CAT5 or CAT5e, CAT6 features more stringent specifications for crosstalk and system noise. The CAT6 cable standard provides performance of up to 250 MHz and is suitable up to 10GBASE-T/10-Gigabit Ethernet.
CAT6A
The latest standard from the TIA for enhanced performance standards for twisted pair cable systems was CAT6A, defined in February 2009. CAT6A is defined at frequencies up to 500 MHz, which is twice that of CAT6.
CAT6A performs at improved specifications, in the area of alien crosstalk compared to CAT6 unshielded twisted pair. CAT6 exhibited high alien noise in high frequencies.
CAT6 and CAT6A cables must be properly installed and terminated to meet specifications. The cables must not be kinked or bent too tightly. The bend radius should be at least four times the outer diameter of the cable. The wire pairs must not be untwisted, and the outer jacket must not be stripped back more than 0.5” (12.7mm).
Maximum cable length
CAT5 = 100 Meters
CAT5e = 100 Meters
CAT6 = 55 Meters
CATA = 100Meters
ECS is a Low Voltage Installation company located in Seattle, WA & Portland, OR.
ECS provides local technicians for on-site work installing and servicing a variety of voice/data equipment, ie; Avaya Aura Servers, Gateways, Messaging, Telephones, Firewalls, Ethernet Switches, Low Voltage Cabling, WiFi, CCTV, POS, Paging, etc.
ECS provides services in the states of Washington & Oregon, primarily in the greater Seattle & Portland areas.