The Difference Between Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a Cabling

Choosing the right network cables for your network’s infrastructure is crucial. You need to understand the differences between category cables and cable types while ensuring you have a solid internet connection to protect your network. While your networking gear will ultimately define the data transfer speed of your operation, your cabling must be able to keep up and support gigabit Ethernet speeds. The three main cabling types are Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a, each offering distinct capabilities in terms of maximum throughput and power consumption. Cat5e cables, for instance, use four wire pairs to deliver gigabit Ethernet. To determine which Ethernet cable categories are right for your network’s current and future needs, read our guide on the differences between Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a cabling. It will help you better understand Cat5e vs. Cat6, Cat6 vs. Cat6a, and mainly Cat 5 vs. Cat 6 to assist with cable runs and Ethernet cable sizes. Additionally, you will gain insights into Cat 6a vs. 6e, Cat5e throughput, and the difference between Cat6a and Cat6e. Understanding which cable type offers a high cost and which one provides a low cost will help you decide to upgrade your network. It's important to keep in mind that there are gigabit speeds available for twisted pairs.

Cat5e

Many people wonder what Cat5e cable is used for and what a Cat 5 cable or Cat5e definition is. Cat5e cables or Cat5e wiring are an enhanced version of the legacy Cat5 cables and the oldest cabling category on this list. They are also the least expensive. Cat5e cables were the first cabling type to deliver 1 Gigabit network speed, which today is the minimum one should consider for their network. Typically, Cat5e cables or Cat5e wiring consist of 24 gauge twisted pair wires and offer gigabit Ethernet up to 328 feet as the Cat 5e max distance. The MHz of Cat5e cables rates at 100, which means the CPU can process up to 100 million commands in a single second. Cat5e cables have suitable capabilities for most networks; however, they may not keep your networking setup at high-performance levels as service providers continue to offer higher speeds. If you are interested in learning how to wire Cat6 cable or understanding Cat 5e pinout assignments, or using a LAN cable Cat 5e in your setup, reach out to us. Read on to learn the difference between Cat 5e and Cat 6.

Cat6

Cat6 cables or Cat 6 wiring offer Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters (Cat 6 max length) and typically utilize a 23-gauge conductor which equates to around 0.0226 inches in diameter per wire. The diameter of a Cat 6a cable can vary depending on the specific manufacturer and construction of the cable. However, the Cat 6a cable or Cat 6 wiring diameter is typically around 0.25 inches or 6.2 mm. Cat6 cables are the current standard in cabling for high-speed Ethernet networks as they can support the higher speed required by the 10 Gigabit network. However, they have a limited higher standard support (164 feet), after which the ultimate speed distance of Cat6 cables is the same as Cat5e cables. At a frequency bandwidth of 250MHz, Cat6 cables offer a far greater processing speed than Cat5 cables. Additional performance advantages include reduced signal loss, less crosstalk with other cables, and two-way communication on each pair of wires due to a tighter twist in the cables. Due to their additional capabilities, Cat6 cables typically cost around 30 percent more than Cat5e cables. Now we better understand the difference between Cat 5 e vs Cat 6. Read on to learn the difference between Cat 6 vs Cat6a - it's all the Cat 6a specs you need to know.

Cat6a

Cat6a is an augmented version of the first generation Cat6 cables and the most advanced Ethernet cable on this list. Like Cat 6 cables, Cat 6a cables are also 23 gauge. However, they are substantially thicker than Cat 6 cables due to the tighter winding of the wires. This creates more copper per inch as well as the layer of extra-thick plastic around the wires themselves. Compared to Cat 5e and Cat 6 cables, Cat 6a cables offer less cross talk, less signal loss, and a larger frequency bandwidth of 500 MHz—double that of Cat6 cables. Due to their impeccably fast processing speeds, they are an ideal choice for businesses. Although Cat6a cables offer the same 10 Gigabit ethernet speed per second as Cat6 cables, they can maintain such speed at a far greater distance. A Cat 6a cable length limit can be up to 330 feet. Due to the higher speeds and functionality of Cat6a cabling, the price is significantly greater than Cat5e and Cat6 cabling.

In conclusion, making sure you have dedicated internet access and choosing the best Ethernet cable with the right quality network cables involves considering factors like Cat 6a vs 6e, Cat5e throughput, Cat 6 v Cat 5, maximum distance, and the difference between Cat6a and Cat6e. Antaira, a leading communication and technology manufacturer of industrial switches and various other industrial networking solutions, offers a wide range of products and services, from Ethernet cables for  industrial switches to industrial Wi-Fi repeaters. Our Cat 6 cables are backward compatible with Cat 5 and Cat 5e, providing maximum bandwidth and supporting longer distances. To learn more about Cat cable differences or for more information regarding wired connections using our network equipment and Ethernet data cable speeds for long or short distances, contact us today.