Cat5e vs. Cat6a Ethernet Cables – Which cable is more durable?
The Cat5e and Cat6a Ethernet cables are widely used for their capacity to deliver Gigabyte data transmission without a problem. They have different physical characteristics, though, and one may not last you as long as the other one.
‘Cheap is expensive’. The truth about spending is that for most people, it always makes more sense to buy the commodity or item we find most pocket friendly. After all, what is the use of buying item A when I can purchase item B, a cheaper alternative? There is no need to spend extra cash, right? Wrong. While this theory may hold true in some instances, it is not always accurate.
The Cat5e and Cat6a Ethernet cables are excellent at what they do. People use them mainly in home and office settings. However, they have different bandwidths, transmission speeds and flexibility, placing themselves on different positions in performance ranking.
But what sets them apart, and which one is the superior cable? More importantly, which of these cables will give you longer service as far as durability goes? This article outlines the characteristics of these cables to help you make that decision. You are welcome to come with!
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Cat5e and Cat6a Ethernet Cables?
Category |
Cat5e |
Cat6a (Winner) |
Shielding |
Unshielded |
Shielded |
Maximum Transmission Speed |
1000 Mbps |
10 Gbps |
Maximum Bandwidth |
100 MHz |
500 MHz |
The Cat5e vs. The Cat6a – How do they compare?
Maximum Transmission Speed
The Cat5e Ethernet cable is basically an improvement to the Cat5 cable which is now old and obsolete. This cable comes with a maximum transmission speed of 1000 Mbps which is quite good. The Cat5e is able to work sufficiently in an office setting.
The Cat6a’s speed is on another level when compared to the Cat5e’s. This cable has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps. For this reason, it is able to perform quite well in environments that deal in massive data transfer. It can transmit at this speed for a distance of up to 100 meters.
Maximum Bandwidth
The Cat5e Ethernet cable has a maximum bandwidth of 100 MHz. Seeing that it is an upgrade of the Cat5, it would have been expected that the bandwidth would be higher than its predecessor’s. However, it is in a position to work better, especially in the office front.
The Cat6a has a maximum bandwidth of 500 MHz. This is 5 times broader than the Cat5e’s. This bandwidth places it in a position to handle massive amount of information within incredibly short lengths of time. It can handle being in an office and data center.
Shielding
These Ethernet cables transmit electromagnetic impulses. For this reason, they are furnished with copper wires, usually 8 in number. If these wires come into direct contact, interference in the form of crosstalk is experienced. To eliminate the possibility of this interference, each of the 8 copper wires is covered in a pvc shield. The 8 wires are then twisted in twos, making 4 pairs of copper wire.
In the Cat5e cable, this is the only internal shielding given to the copper wires. It is then covered by an outer jacket which is also made with flexible pvc.
In the Cat6a cable, the twist between the copper wires is much tighter. This makes for a more stable cable and also reduces the chances of crosstalk. Beyond this, there is a foil casing between the twisted wire pairs and the outer jacket. It also enhances the strength of the cable and reduces the chances of crosstalk. This cable also has a pvc feature called the spline. It acts to add stiffness and strength to the cable while ensuring the absence of crosstalk.
Cat5e vs. Cat6a Ethernet Cables Overview
The Cat5e Ethernet Cable
This cable is widely used both in homes and office settings for its ability to handle heavy data transfer quite fast. It has a 1000 Mbps (1Gbps) maximum transmission speed. It has a bandwidth of 100 MHz which, combined with its transmission speed, makes it effective.
The Cat5e does not have any form of special shielding. The copper wires used to transmit the electromagnetic signals are covered with pvc casing to prevent them from coming into direct contact. They are then twisted into pairs to reduce the chances of crosstalk. The cable is then covered with an outer jacket also made with pvc. It is a flexible cable that is easy to install. It goes quite well into corners and sharp turns.
Pros
- It is a decent fit for homes and offices
- It is an affordable cable
- It is flexible and easy to install
Cons
- Being an enhancement of the Cat5 Ethernet cable, it would have been expected that it would have a broader bandwidth.
- CAT5e 4/UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair HDPE PVC
- 24AWG CCA Conductor (Copper Clad Aluminum)
The Cat6a Ethernet Cable
This Ethernet able is a fast and strong accessory. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps which is a lot higher than that of the Cat5e. It also has a bandwidth of 500 MHz which makes it able to transmit massive volumes of data within a short period of time. It works well in offices and even data centers.
The shielding of this cable is quite interesting. The copper wires are tightly twisted together to reduce the chances of crosstalk. There is also a foil shield that covers the 4 pairs of copper wires to further protect them from crosstalk. It also adds strength and structure to the cable. There is also a splein, a sort of pvc backbone that runs through the cable. It also works to keep the wire pairs from interference and also strengthen the cable. The cable is then covered in an outer jacket that is also strong.
Pros
- It has a high transmission speed
- It has a broad bandwidth
- It has a string build
- It has a splein that adds to its structure
Cons
- The splein makes it difficult to bend and install in sharp corners and bends.
- At half the size of standard Cat6A patch cables (0.149" v 0.29"), SlimRun Cat6A helps reduce congestion...
- With SlimRun Cat6A, you can fit more cables in the same space, saving you the time and cost of expanding...
Conclusion
Both of these cables are made for Gigabyte transmission, but they work well in different conditions and environments. The Cat5e has a moderate build and also moderate performance, making it ideal for home and office use. The Cat6a boasts an exceptional build and fast data transfer, making it ideal for offices and data centers.
Verdict: So, which one is a better, more durable cable – Cat5e or Cat6a?
The Cat6a seems to check all the boxes that are the characteristics of a fast and durable cable. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps, and bandwidth of 500MHz, an extra foil shield and a splein for enhanced structure. While it is more expensive than the Cat5e, it is definitely worth it.
FAQs
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Is the Cat6e the same as the Cat6a?
The Cat6e is not the same as the Cat6a. The Cat6e is slightly different. It is a cable that is not recognized by the TIA, but some manufacturers make and market it under this name none the less.
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What is the difference between the Cat5e and the Cat5?
The Cat5e is an enhanced Cat5. The latter has a 10/100Mbps transmission speed.
