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What are the differences between ca
- Thread starter K2MERLIN
- Start date
franklin97355
Technical User
There are standards for crosstalk and attenuation that have been established to quantify the performance of wire. Cat5 has an accepted standard for 100mhz. Cat5e isn't a true standard as I understand it but is rated for 350mhz (I think).
daronwilson
Vendor
The EIA/TIA standards (among others) define the characteristics for the classifications of cable you are concerned with. Among the parameters are attenuation, delay skew, near end cross talk, far end cross talk, total length, etc.
Essentially, Cat5 provides a 100 Mhz bandwidth channel on two pairs of wire. Cat5e provides a 100 Mhz bandwidth channel but tests all more complex and demanding. Both of these are 24 gage wire. Cat6 offers a bandwidth of 250 Mhz and is 23 gage wire.
There is much hype offered by the manufacturers, and the Cat5e was offered with 250 Mhz and 350 Mhz bandwidths, trying to get you to install the product and be totally ready for whatever is next.
Cat5e is the current minimum standard (EIA/TIA 568B) for data cabling, in the latest revision they dropped Cat5 out. Cat6 was recently (this last summer) ratified as a standard, and we are watching as the manufactures struggle to make the wire and all the hardware work together for a complete channel performance.
The amount of twist in the pairs was an obvious change when we went from Cat3 (very little twist) to Cat5. As they began increasing the bandwidth on the Cat5, going to Cat5e we saw more changes, different techniques, different materials, different rates of twist on different pairs, etc.
Hope that helps, there are plenty of references on line regarding the different cables. I would start with Anixter, Leviton, Berktek, etc. Almost all these companies have white papers on their web sites that explain the differences.
Good Luck! It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com
Essentially, Cat5 provides a 100 Mhz bandwidth channel on two pairs of wire. Cat5e provides a 100 Mhz bandwidth channel but tests all more complex and demanding. Both of these are 24 gage wire. Cat6 offers a bandwidth of 250 Mhz and is 23 gage wire.
There is much hype offered by the manufacturers, and the Cat5e was offered with 250 Mhz and 350 Mhz bandwidths, trying to get you to install the product and be totally ready for whatever is next.
Cat5e is the current minimum standard (EIA/TIA 568B) for data cabling, in the latest revision they dropped Cat5 out. Cat6 was recently (this last summer) ratified as a standard, and we are watching as the manufactures struggle to make the wire and all the hardware work together for a complete channel performance.
The amount of twist in the pairs was an obvious change when we went from Cat3 (very little twist) to Cat5. As they began increasing the bandwidth on the Cat5, going to Cat5e we saw more changes, different techniques, different materials, different rates of twist on different pairs, etc.
Hope that helps, there are plenty of references on line regarding the different cables. I would start with Anixter, Leviton, Berktek, etc. Almost all these companies have white papers on their web sites that explain the differences.
Good Luck! It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com
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