Different Ethernet cables – Cat5e cables, Cat6 cables, Cat6a cables – have different speeds and support different sets of applications. Let’s dive a bit deeper to find out what applications run on Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a ethernet cables?

Cat5e Cables

Cat5e cables are 5th category enhanced cables. This cable offers a maximum data transfer speed of 1 Gbps and supports the same over a length of 50 meters or 164 feet. The minimum data transfer rate supported by a Cat5e cable is 100 Mbps over a length of 328 feet or 100 meters.

With a bandwidth capacity of 350 MHz and a wire gauge of 24AWG, Cat5e cables support PoE and PoE+ (IEEE 802.3af/at) up to 30W and 300V DC.

Cat6 Cables

Cat6 Cables render data transfer rates of 10 Gbps over a distance of 50 meters and 1 Gbps over a distance of 100 meters. The cable runs 23AWG and has a bandwidth capacity of 550 MHz.

The cable is available in the riser, plenum, and PVC jackets and in pure copper and CCA [copper clad aluminum conductors]. PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ (IEEE 802.3af/at/bt) up to 60W and 300V DC are the applications supported by Cat6 cables.

Cat6a Cables

Cat6a cables are augmented category 6 cables as they can maintain a data transfer rate of 10 Gbps up to a distance of 100 meters or 328 feet. The cable runs 23 AWG and has a bandwidth capacity of 750 MHz.

PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ (IEEE 802.3af/at/bt) up to 60W and 300V DC are the applications supported by Cat6a cables.

It is pertinent here to mention that ethernet jackets do not influence data transfer speed or bandwidth capacity. A Cat5e Riser cable will support the same set of applications as are supported by a Cat5e plenum. Likewise, a Cat6 plenum cable will support the same set of applications as are supported by the Cat6 riser.

Cat7 Cables

These cables render a mammoth data transfer rate of 40 Gbps with a bandwidth capacity of 1500 MHz. However, the maximum data transfer rate can be up to 10 Gbps over a cable-run length of 100 meters. Cat7 ethernet cables come shielded and twisted pairs of  30 AWG conductors.

To achieve high-speed data transmission, both the individual conductor pairs and the overall bundle are shielded. It minimizes all sorts of crosstalk and electromagnetic interference to a minimum and thus, the high-speed data transmission.

The seventh category of ethernet cables obviously support all ethernet applications including PoE.

The connector used for this advanced category of ethernet cables is a GigaGate 45 (GG45). It was designed specifically for high-speed ethernet connections, particularly Cat7. Another new connector, namely, TERA, is also used to connect Cat7 ethernet cables. It is a shielded twisted pair connector and it was also designed specifically for the seventh category ethernet cables.

Cat7 ethernet cables are fast and provide reliable connections in almost all of the ethernet technologies available, but it comes at cost.  It is far more expensive than previous categories of ethernet cables. Since it is a relatively new category of ethernet cables, the options available in the market do not necessarily provide the right value for money.

Cat8 Cables

The 8th category of ethernet cables can support a whopping bandwidth speed of up to 2000 MHz and data transfer rates of up to 40 Gbps over a cable-run length of 40 meters.

These cables are entirely backward-compatible with the preceding categories and still terminate in RJ45 connectors. The conductors are shielded and twisted in pairs of two to contain the electromagnetic interference created due to the signal transmission through the conductors. And the bundle of the conductors is foiled for the optimum performance of the cable. But unfoiled cat8 cables can also be found in the market.

This category of ethernet cables was developed for application in networks where the patch cable length is short such as data centers. If it is installed at average cabling lengths, it will not deliver its intended results.

The conductors are made of Pure Copper because CCA conductors can not support the Cat8 standard transmission speeds and bandwidth capacities. It is also UL-listed because of its safety features.

It supports PoE, PoE+, and PoE++  connections and all the other ethernet applications, particularly, 25GBASE-T and 40GBASE-T.

Why SmarTech Cables?

SmarTech Cables manufactures and distributes high-quality ethernet cables that meet and exceed all industry standards such as TIA/EIA, ISO/IES, CE, and CSE. Also, all of our products are in compliance with RoHS standards.

Our Ethernet cables come with a 10-year warranty (terms and conditions apply) and we offer free shipping on orders above $99. Rest assured, when you shop ethernet cables from Smartech Cables, you get the best value for your money.