Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat6a Ethernet Cables – Which one is best?
Gigabyte technology has been around for quite some time. It has taken many updates to enhance transmission and delivery.
If you work in an environment that requires a lot of data, then you know how frustrating it can be to have slow or unresponsive internet. Having an excellent router is not always a guarantee that you are going to enjoy fast speeds. The cable you use largely affects the delivery of data to your machine.
The Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a Ethernet cables play very important roles in facilitating the transmission and delivery of data from routers to computers and vice versa. They have varying speeds and bandwidths, and even their builds vary from cable to cable. The Cat5e has a different build from the Cat6 and Cat6a.
But is this all there is to it? Are they similar in any way, and if they are not, what are their differences, and which one would be the best for you applications? This article will look into each cable in detail to answer all these questions so you can be able to decide which way to lean regarding a suitable cable.
Come along!
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a Ethernet Cables?
Category |
Cat5e |
Cat6 |
Cat6a (Winner) |
Shielding |
Unshielded |
Unshielded/ Shielded |
Shielded |
Maximum transmission speed |
1000Mbps |
1000Mbps/ 10Gbps |
10Gbps |
Maximum bandwidth |
100MHz/ 350MHz |
250Mhz |
500Mhz |
Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat6a – How do they compare?
Shielding
All three cables have copper wires in the center. They are responsible for transmitting data in the form of electromagnetic impulses. A regular Ethernet cable has 8 copper wires inside. They are usually covered in pvc to prevent them from coming into direct contact as it would result in interference and subsequent crosstalk. The 8 wires are the twisted in twos to make 4 pairs, which also works to prevent the crosstalk and to enhance the structure of the cable.
The Cat5e comes as an unshielded cable. This means that there is no foil shield between the twisted copper wires. These types of cable are referred to as UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cables. The Cat5e is then covered in a PVC jacket that is quite flexible but not so strong.
The Cat6 cable is an STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cable. This is to mean that it has a foil shield between the copper wires and the outer jacket. The foil works to prevent he twisted wire pairs from developing crosstalk and also enhancing the structure of the cable. This cable also has a special feature called a splein which runs through the center of the cable. It also reduces crosstalk and makes the cable stronger.
The Cat6a has an exact build as the Cat6 cable. it is an STP and also has a splein for better structure.
Maximum Transmission Speed
The Cat5e Ethernet cable has a maximum transmission speed of 1000Mbps. This may be a bit low, but it is an ideal cable for home and office use.
The Cat6 has a maximum transmission speed of 1000Mbps/ 10Gbps. This variation in speed is dependent on the length of the cable. When the length exceeds 55 meters, the 10 Gbps speed declines to 1000Mbps. This cable is ideal for office use.
The Cat6a has a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps and it can transmit at this speed for a distance of up to 100 meters. It is an ideal cable for office and data center use.
Maximum Bandwidth
The Cat5e has a maximum bandwidth of 100MHz. Some companies have, however, mentioned that their cables can reach 350MHz. This throughout test indicates that this could be accurate.
The Cat6 cable has a maximum bandwidth of 250MHz. This makes it capable of handling heavy data transmission within a short time.
The Cat6a has a maximum bandwidth of 500MHz, making it a heavy weigh when compared to its counterparts. It can handle heavy transmission within a short time as well.
Cat5e vs.Cat6 vs. Cat6a Ethernet Cables Overview
Cat5e Ethernet Cable
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This cable is one of the longest serving Ethernet cables. It came as an improvement to the Cat5 cable and the ‘e’ at the end actually means ‘enhanced’.
It has a maximum transmission speed of 1000Mbps and a bandwidth of 100MHz.This throughput test shows that the bandwidth can stretch to 350 MHz. Though it is used constantly in office settings, it would be most ideal for home use. It has copper wires to facilitate the transmission of data. They are 8 in number, and they are each covered in pvc casing then they are twisted in twos to make 4 pairs. This cable is a UTP cable, meaning that it does not have a foil shield around the twisted copper wires. It is covered in a flexible pvc jacket.
Pros
- It is flexible
- It is ideal for home use
Cons
- It is not as strong as other cables
- It is slower than most of the other cables
Cat6 Ethernet Cable
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It came as an improvement of the Cat5e cable. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps. It can sustain this speed at a distance of up to 55 meters, but if it exceeds this point, it falls to 1000Mbps.
It is a shielded cable, meaning that it has a foil shield between the twisted copper wires and the outer jacket. This reduces crosstalk and enhances the structure of the cable. There is also a splein which runs through the cable to also reduce crosstalk.
Pros
- It is a strong cable
- It has a broad bandwidth
- It is faster than the Cat5e
- It is a shielded cabel
Cons
- The splein makes it hard to bend and install in sharp corners.
The Cat6a Ethernet Cable
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This cable is an ideal fit for offices and data centers. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps and it can sustain this speed at a distance of 100 meters. It also has a broad bandwidth that stretches to 500MHz.
This cable is also an STP cable, meaning that it has a foil shield around the twisted pairs of wire. This enhances structure and strength of the cable. It also has a splein running through the middle and it reduces the chances of crosstalk.
Pros
- It has a high transmission speed
- It has a broad bandwidth
- It is a strong cable
Cons
- It is expensive
Conclusion
These three cables are quite essential in the connection of computer devices. Their different speeds and bandwidths make them ideal for different settings.
Verdict: So, which one is better – Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6a?
The Cat6a definitely stands out as a great performer. It has a high transmission speed, a broad bandwidth and strong build. This makes it a good fit for office settings and data centers.
FAQs
-
Do they all use different connectors?
No, they do not. Since they have the same type of wiring, they use the same connector. The most ideal fit is the Rj45 connector.
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Would it be okay to use them outdoors?
Yes, it would. But it would be advisable to pass them through a conduit to keep them from being degraded by harsh weather.
