Skip to main content

CAT6 Ethernet Cables and Their Workings


CAT6 Ethernet Cable is one of the most popular Ethernet cables. It was standardized by Electronic Industries Association and Telecommunications Industry Association (EIA). This article will provide you with all the information about CAT6 Ethernet Cables and its types.
3ft-cat-6-non-booted-unshielded-utp-ethernet-network-cable-568

The working of CAT6 Ethernet Cables

Being the sixth version of twisted pair Ethernet cabling, CAT6 was built in order to support the Gigabit Ethernet Data rates. i.e 1 gigabit/second (Gbps) It has four pairs of copper wires and all the copper wire pairs can be utilized for signaling and obtaining superior quality performance. The best part about it is that it can support 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections for a distance of 50 meters or 164 feet. Here are some more facts about it:
  • The enhanced version of CAT6, known as CAT6A and it can support the speed of upto 10Gbps.
  • Similar to the previous versions of Ethernet Cables, ends of CAT6 cable use the same RJ-45 standard connector.
  • The cable cover of this Ethernet Cable has “CAT6” printed on it.

​CAT6 vs. CAT6A: The Difference

CAT6 supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet. However, it covers the distance only of up to 50 meters. Category 6A of Ethernet Cables was introduced to enhance the performance of CAT6 cables. It also enables 10 Gigabit data rates on a single cable run; but runs up to 100 meters. This is twice as compared to CAT6. Due to its higher performance, CAT6A ethernet cable costs more than CAT6 and is thicker in density. It uses the standard RJ-45 connectors.

CAT6 vs. CAT5e: The Difference

In order to improve the previous versions of CAT5 Cables, two efforts were made. One out of them came to be known as CAT5e (CAT 5 enhanced) and the next one was named CAT6. Some technical enhancements were lacking in CAT5e which were than made in CAT6. However, if you are looking for a cable that supports Gigabit Ethernet installations at lower costs, CAT5e is a good choice. As CAT5e cable offered a fair performance for Gigabit Ethernet at cost effective rates, it gained a lot of popularity for wired Ethernet installations. Quite similar to CAT6, CAT5e also utilizes a four wire pair signaling to provide smooth data rates. CAT5 cables on the other hand have four wire pairs out of which two remain inactive.

Disadvantages of CAT6

Costs: CAT6 is more expensive as compared to Cat5e cable. Also, if you can resolve the network speed issues with CAT5e, it is better to buy that instead of CAT6. CAT5e is economical and offers a good quality performance. It can also be obtained in different colors.

Speed not guaranteed

Buying CAT6 cable doesn’t necessarily mean that you will get an entire gigabit network. It can offer speed optimization only if every element in your network works at gigabit speed. If one of them is not gigabit rated, the network will work at the slowest device’s speed.
There are times when users end up buying CAT6 Ethernet cables only because they are the latest version. What they need to know here is whether they will be suitable to their network. Hence, make sure you conduct proper research before buying these cables.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Power Splitter vs. Extension Cord: Which One Is Right for You

Power distribution is a crucial aspect of managing electrical devices efficiently. When faced with the need to connect multiple devices to a single power source, two popular options come to mind: power splitters and extension cords. Understanding the differences between these two solutions is essential to ensuring optimal power management and safety. In this article, we will explore the features, applications, and considerations associated with power cord splitters and extension cords, helping you make an informed decision on which one is right for your specific needs. Power Splitters: Unleashing Versatility  Power splitters, also known as cord splitters or power cable splitters, are designed to divide a single power source into multiple outlets. These devices allow you to connect several devices simultaneously, expanding the number of electrical connections available. Power cord splitters come in various configurations, including three-way, four-way, and even more complex mode
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Connect Tablet to External Monitor or Flat-screen TV Using Computer Adapters?

Tablets have numerous use cases. They have brought a radical change in the user experiences with larger display as compared to smartphones. You can enjoy videos and movies more on tablets as compared to smartphones. But, what if you are craving for a bigger screen? What if you want to view videos or movies on a screen that is larger than a tablet? Well, grab your popcorn and tie your seatbelts as you can enhance the multimedia experience by connecting tablet to an external monitor or a flat-screen TV. Watch movies the way you watch them in theatre. And what gives you a better viewing experience?  Computer adapters . Here is a brief yet step-by-step guide to enable you to connect tablet to a larger screen: Check Your Tablet’s Ports Firstly, take a close look at the tablet’s ports. It is necessary because the ports of the tablets have started advancing with every passing year. Traditionally, tablets had just video ports. Now, the new tablets have USB-C or USB Type-C ports. Many
Post a Comment
Read more

Fiber Optic Cables Vs Ethernet Cables: What Is the Difference?

Wi-Fi is like love. Always in the air and ready to connect you with the fascinating digital world. But ever wondered what keeps it in the air? Well, just like any relationship has a foundation of understanding, a wireless network has a fiber cabling underneath that helps people to connect with the internet anytime they want to. The other most popularly used cable type is Ethernet cables. They are used everywhere right from IP camera technologies to LED lighting. These cables are quite cheaper as compared to fiber cables; but when one wants to have a huge and powerful network cable , fiber cables become necessary. Both the cables have their advantages and disadvantages, specialties, and limitations. Through this blog, we will differentiate between the two and try to understand both in details: History of Fiber & Ethernet Cables The fiber optic technology was first used in 1969 when NASA sent it to the moon for use in television cameras. And a company named Xerox developed Eth
Post a Comment
Read more