When you begin taking a look at particular Ethernet cables to match your wants, you’ll rapidly discover that they’re divided by “Cat” numbers. What does that imply?

“Cat” merely stands for “category.” The quantity that follows signifies the specification model supported by the cable. A basic rule of thumb is that larger numbers symbolize sooner speeds and better frequencies, measured in megahertz (MHz). As is the case with most applied sciences, newer cables sometimes help larger bandwidths and subsequently elevated obtain speeds and sooner connections.

More superior Cat numbers may additionally point out extra dependable efficiency, in addition to higher efficiency over distance. You’ll discover that Ethernet cables sometimes have two pace rankings, one at round 10 to 30 meters and one at 100 meters, as a result of efficiency does sometimes drop off over lengthy distances.

If you need, you possibly can simply select the newest Cat quantity (8 in the intervening time) for future-proofing and never fear about the remainder. Or, you can check out what every Category is appropriate for in our helpful checklist beneath:

Cat 1 by means of Cat 5

We’re skipping these classes as a result of they’re very previous, technically not even official Ethernet requirements, and so they have been discontinued or are too gradual to be usable.

Cat 5e

The “e” in Cat 5e stands for “enhanced.” There are not any bodily variations between Cat 5 and Cat 5e cables. However, producers construct Cat 5e cables below extra stringent testing requirements to remove undesirable sign transfers between communication channels (crosstalk). Cat 5e is at present probably the most generally used cable, primarily attributable to its low manufacturing price and help for speeds sooner than Cat 5 cables.

Cat 6

The Cat 6 Ethernet cable helps larger bandwidths than Cat 5 and Cat 5e cables. They’re tightly wound and often outfitted with foil or braided shielding. Said shielding protects the twisted pairs of wires contained in the Ethernet cable, which helps stop crosstalk and noise interference. Cat 6 cables technically help speeds as much as 10Gbps for as much as 55 meters. That pace comes with a value, nonetheless, as a Cat 6 cable is dearer than Cat 5 and Cat 5e variants.

Cat 6a

The “a” in Cat 6a stands for “augmented.” Cables primarily based on this commonplace are a step up from Cat 6 variations by supporting twice the utmost bandwidth. They’re additionally able to sustaining larger transmission speeds over longer cable lengths. Cat 6a cables come shielded, and the sheathing — which is thick sufficient to remove crosstalk — makes for a a lot denser, much less versatile cable than Cat 6.

Cat 7 and Cat 7a

Cat 7 and Cat 7a cables are high-performing however are typically ineffective for most individuals. Let’s get into why:

Cat 7 cables help larger bandwidths and considerably sooner transmission speeds than Cat 6 cables by using the most recent broadly out there Ethernet expertise. Cat 7 cables attain as much as 100Gbps at a variety of 15 meters, making them some of the succesful classes of Ethernet cables. Cat 7 cables are all the time shielded, and so they use a modified GigaGate45 connector, which is backward appropriate with RJ45 Ethernet ports.

That modified GG45 connector is a proprietary element, although, and whereas the backward compatibility helped just a little, there are nonetheless points with following earlier Ethernet requirements. This led to most producers avoiding the Cat 7 commonplace, which is why it’s fairly uncommon immediately. That issue led to the event of Cat 6a — and numerous advertising confusion since some sellers began referring to Cat 6a as the brand new Cat 7. Always verify the specs before you purchase — and when unsure, we propose simply going for Cat 8 as a substitute.

Cat 7a provides one of many highest-specification Ethernet cables you should purchase, however it’s not broadly out there and provides only some supporting networking {hardware} choices. The 7a commonplace was designed to help 40 Gigabit Ethernet connections as much as 50 meters and — identical to Cat 7, however with enchancment to the general bandwidth — greater than 50%. This enchancment could also be helpful in some cases, however Cat 7a cables are far dearer than some other choice. Consider utilizing Cat 7a solely in very area of interest instances.

Cat 8

Ethernet connectors use a specialised design with eight pins that should lock into place, sometimes referred to as an 8P8C connector. Ethernet cables have a few various kinds of 8P8C connectors, and realizing the distinction will show you how to perceive completely different Ethernet classes extra clearly:

RJ45

This is the usual Registered Jack 45 connector that Ethernet cables use. There are two variations primarily based on how wires are coloured and organized: The extra common T568B commonplace and the much less frequent T568A commonplace (not significantly necessary until you might be doing detailed wiring). The RJ45 connector is utilized in almost each Ethernet class, from Cat 1 to Cat 6 in addition to Cat 8.

GG45

For Ethernet Cat 7 cables, requirements briefly switched to a brand new connector referred to as GigaGate45, or GG45. GG45 got here with a number of extra conductors for some frequency versatility. It is backward appropriate with RJ45 connectors, however the brand new connector was deemed largely pointless, which is why Cat 8 switched to RJ45.

EtherCON RJ45

Ethernet cables are susceptible to electromagnetic interference and comparable issues. That can create severe points when the cables are run open air, close to high-voltage gear, or alongside different communication cables. The answer? Shielding that insulates the cables.

You can rapidly discover the defend standing of Ethernet cables by trying on the codes on the cables themselves. U/UTP sometimes means there isn’t a shielding in any respect: In our tech-filled world, these cables have gotten much less frequent, however they’re nonetheless appropriate for fundamental house functions so long as the cables avoid giant home equipment.

An “F” means that there’s a foil defend in place. That’s a layer of metallic foil, copper, or aluminum, with a polyester cowl for sturdiness. It’s an affordable technique to defend Ethernet cables and may be very efficient, however in sure environments, the foil can degrade over time and it’s inclined to ripping.

An “S” signifies a braided display, a weave of very skinny copper or tin wire. This is extra sturdy than foil, however the protection isn’t fairly as full.

It’s additionally attainable for cables to have a number of shielding options, and you may have cables which might be shielded with braiding, however there’s no foil on the inner wires. An “F” adopted by “TP” would imply that there’s a layer of foil over the cable itself, however the twisted pairs (TP) of wires inside are individually unshielded. Sometimes, “STP” is used to point that there’s some sort of shielding on the cable with out giving specifics.

In addition to their efficiency specs, Ethernet cables can even come in several designs. Some Ethernet cable kinds are made with particular jobs or environments in thoughts, so you possibly can tailor your Ethernet cable option to the place you will use it. Here are some frequent examples:

Slim and Ultra—Slim

These cables use a really compact casing for a slimmer total profile. That will be helpful in sure knowledge facilities and server rooms the place area may be very restricted, and additional area is required for higher airflow, which improves cooling.

Flat

Flat Ethernet cables are simpler to run below carpets, baseboards, and doorways. They are much less of a tripping hazard, and customarily simpler to cover.

Solid Core

This signifies strong copper wires versus copper-wrapped aluminum. Solid wires are extra frequent in bigger Ethernet installations and higher-quality cables, the place they run for longer distances. Solid wire Ethernet cables typically protect alerts for longer and assist cut back sign loss.

Armored

These cables are designed with thick outer layers for additional safety. That makes them extra appropriate for out of doors installations, and different environments the place corrosion or harm could also be a problem.

Braided

These cables have a nylon braid on the surface to raised shield the casing and assist stop harm attributable to frequent flexing or different causes.

Technically, the colour of your Ethernet cable doesn’t matter and doesn’t symbolize any efficiency traits. Cable distributors might assign particular colours to know what the actual cable is getting used for, determine the connection sort, or distinguish their connection from different distributors.

For instance, inexperienced might imply crossover connections, yellow might imply PoE (Power over Ethernet), blue might imply cables designed for servers, and so on. But there’s no strict rule right here: Many installers merely use colours to maintain advanced Ethernet cable setups extra organized in knowledge facilities.