Skip to main content

CAT 5E, CAT6 and CAT6A : Which One Is Best?

Choosing from amongst Category 5e, 6 and 6a cables has been difficult for a lot of people. Whenever you decide to purchase one of these for your Ethernet network, several factors like data transfer speed, connection distance and costs that have to be considered.
Each of these cables has a different standard. Let us understand how and why.

CAT5E Cables

Cat5
Although CAT 5E cable is cheap, it is quite slow. CAT 5E offers data transfer speeds of One Gbps per second at 100 MHz up to 328 feet. There is a lesser interference and a lesser chance of transmission error in these cables. This is majorly because the crosstalk amongst the wires within the cable remains under control. These cables will definitely offer a good quality performance for the applications used in today’s age. But when you use Cat5e, there are lesser chances for upgrading in a long run.

CAT 6 Cables

CAT6
Needless to say, CAT 6 cable is more expensive and faster than CAT 5E. However, it is not very efficient when it comes to covering very long distances. As CAT6’s insulation has been enhanced, it can support data transfer speed of up to 10 Gbps at 250 MHz with no crosstalk interference. But 10 Gbps speed is effective only up to 164 feet. Despite of this limitation, CAT6 cables are more capable in handling the speed of Gigabit Ethernet networks. In future, there is a possibility that Cat6 might replace HDMI as the video/audio transmission tool.

CAT 6A Cables

CAT6A
If you want to have an efficiently running Gigabit Ethernet network, Cat 6a cable is the best option. It might be more expensive as compared to Cat5e or Cat6. But as and when you connect it to your device, your network will become more advanced and technology friendly. Cat6A supports the same transmission speed as Cat6, but up to 328 feet and with less crosstalk than Cat6.

On a final note

Make all of the above mentioned considerations while choosing from CAT 5E, CAT 6 and 6A cables. You can also buy all these cables online after going through all the features. Keep in mind that the speed of network transmission depends on the important elements of your network. Also remember that having a faster cable doesn’t mean that it is competent of achieving Gigabit speeds.
The costs of data usage go up every 18 months. Although Cat5E can offer the kind of performance you want, it has become a little outdated. Hence, it is better to future-proof your network using Cat6 or Cat6A cables. Make your choice wisely!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the Difference between C13 and C15 Power Cords?

There is an array of power cords available in the market. It can get quite perplexing to choose the one that will fit your needs. In order to know more about them, you must have more information about these cords. This article will acquaint you with   IEC C13   and   IEC C15   power cords   and how they are different from each other. But before that, let us understand what IEC is. IEC stands for International Electrotechnical Commission. Every cord is standardized by IEC before it is introduced in the market. These cords use the letter “C” which is followed by the number in their cords. Let’s get back to understanding the difference between IEC-C13 and C15 connectors. Some of them are mentioned below. Difference of a Notch One of the most apparent differences between the two connectors is the notch on C15 connector. Although C15 looks quite similar to C13, it has a little groove opposite the earth. The IEC-C15 connectors also work in the C14 outlets. B...
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

The Right Way to Use Power Strips

When was the last time you actually checked details on an electronic item and made sure to plug it into the right socket? We are quite cavalier with how we handle our gadgets, using any cable that comes our way, buying cheap replacements for original chargers and data transfer cables. Certain power plugs come in different sizes, which automatically make them impossible to plug into a standard socket. However, it can get confusing if the plug actually fits the average socket. One of the most valuable electronic items we have in our house these days is a power strip. It gives us the required sockets to support the ever-expanding collection of gadgets. They are convenient for two reasons, one being that you can have more sockets in place of one wall socket, and the other being portability. The portability of such strips also makes it useful outside the house. Traveling: If you are traveling (ideally within the country), you can carry a power strip along for q...
Post a Comment
Read more