Cat5e vs. Cat7 Ethernet Cables – What choice is better in an Office Setting?
Finding the right connection for your office is important as it determines the speed and efficiency with which you work. The Cat5e and Cat7 cables both support Gigabyte Speed, but which one would support office use efficiently?
Different working environments have varying requirements as far as data transmission speeds go. The needs may range from small, medium and heavy data transmission. Both the Cat5e and Cat7 cables are able to transmit Gigabyte data. The Cat5e came as an improvement to the Cat5 which has since been considered old and obsolete.
The Cat7, on the other hand, is more recent than the Cat5e. But seeing that both are Ethernet cables, is it safe to say that they are one and the same? How would having either one affect the quality and speed of your work?
This article will break down a few characteristics of each cable to find out what they are best suited for and which one supports office use best. Read along!
Table of Contents
Differences between the Cat5e and Cat7 Ethernet Cables
Category |
Cat5e |
Cat7 (Winner) |
Shielding |
Unshielded |
Shielded |
Max Transmission Speed |
1000 Mbps |
10 Gbps |
Max Bandwidth |
100 MHz |
600 Mhz |
How do the Cat5e and Cat7 Ethernet Cables Compare?
Shielding
Both of these Ethernet cables use copper wires for the transmission of electromagnetic impulses. It is important that these wires be covered to prevent them from coming into direct contact. If these naked wires touch, it would result in serious interference. For this reason, each of the copper wires in each cable is covered in thin pvc casing. There usually are a total of 8 wires. After they are encased in the pvc, they are twisted in twos to make 8 pairs. The twisting helps to reduce the chances of interference and subsequent crosstalk.
In the Cat5e, the twisting is only moderate and not as tight as that of the Cat7. For this reason, the chances of crosstalk in this cable are higher than they are in the Cat7. The Cat5e has no other form of casing in the inside apart from the thin pvc on the cables. The outer cover is also a pvc jacket that is of a slightly higher gauge.
The Cat7 cable has exemplary shielding when compared to the Cat5e. The copper wires have a tighter twist, making for a more stable cable with less chances of crosstalk. Each of the twisted copper pairs is then covered in another pvc casing, making the twist more solid. There is also a braided shield between the copper wires and the outer jacket. It secures the twisted pairs in place, further reducing the occurrence of crosstalk. The whole cable is then covered in heavy gauge flexible pvc.
Maximum Transmission Speed
The Cat5e cable came as an improvement of the Cat5 and what you may not know is that the ‘e’ actually means ‘enhanced’. The Cat5e cable, therefore, has no qualms handling Gigabyte transmission. With its 1000Mbps transmission speed, it works just as well at home and in an office setting. This speed, however, lessens at distances of more than 100 meters.
The Cat7 cable’s transmission speed is on a whole new level. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps making it fit right at home in offices and data centers. It can sustain this speed at distances of up to 100 meters.
Maximum Bandwidth
Seeing that the Cat5e cable came as an improvement of the Cat5, it would have been expected that the bandwidth would be broader. It maintains its predecessor’s 100Mhz bandwidth, which work just fine, especially in a home setting.
The Cat7cable has a much broader bandwidth that stretches to 600Mhz, placing it in a position to handle massive data transmissions at a go.
The Cat5e vs. Cat7 Ethernet Cables Overview
The Cat5e Ethernet Cable
- HIGH PERFORMANCE NETWORK CABLE. Our outdoor cat 5e network cable is 24 AWG with 4 pairs (8C). Suitable...
- HASSLE FREE PACKAGING. 1000 feet (305 meters) has been packaged on a tangle free, easy pull reel/spool so...
As earlier mentioned, this cable came as an enhancement of the Cat5 cable. It boasts a slightly better build and faster transmission speed. Its copper wires are twisted in pairs to help the wires stay in position. Constant movement would result in a high chance of interference which would result in crosstalk. The cable, however, maintains the same shielding principles, it has not extra shield between the copper wires and the outer jacket.
The cable has a much higher transmission speed that reaches 1000Mbps. It is supported by a 100MHz bandwidth that works just fine. This makes the cable ideal to use at home and in some office settings. It is alls quite flexible, making it easy to install in sharp turns and tight corners. This cable is also made to be backward compatible.
Pros
- This cable comfortably supports home and office use
- It is easy to bend, making it ideal for tight corners and sharp turns
- It is an affordable cable
- It is backward compatible.
Cons
- It lacks reinforcement in it build, making it susceptible to fast damage especially in environments of heavy crisscrossing
The Cat7 Ethernet Cable
- ⚡【Up to 40Gbps 2000MHz High Speed】Jadaol Hyper Speed Cat 8 / Cat 7 Ethernet cable supports...
- ⚡【Wide Application and Compatibility】High performance Cat8 / Cat7 patch cable is also compatible...
This cable is a much newer addition to the Ethernet cable family. It boasts advantage after advantage, and it can handle just about any kind of transmission. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps, placing it in a position to handle massive data transfer at a time. This speed is further supported by its broad bandwidth that stretches to an impressive 600MHz.
The cable has a strong and durable build. Each copper pair is covered in a pvc casing, reducing the chances of crosstalk significantly. There is also a braided shield between the copper wire pairs and the outer jacket. This braided shield makes the cable quite strong, but it remains bendable.
Pros
- It has a high maximum transmission speed
- It has a broad bandwidth
- It has a strong and durable build
- It is flexible and easy to install
Cons
- It is more expensive than the Cat5e Ethernet cable
Conclusion
Both of these cables are amply equipped to handle Gigabyte transmission. They, however, work best in different settings. The Cat5e has a lower transmission speed and bandwidth than the Cat7 Ethernet cable. This makes the cat5e ideal for home and medium size office use. The Cat7 cable has a much higher transmission speed and bandwidth, making it ideal for large offices and data centers.
Verdict: Which cable is best for office use – Cat5e or Cat7?
The Cat7 is definitely a better fit for office use. Much as it is made for massive data transfer, there would be no reason to install the Cat5e that has lower transmission speed and broadband. The Cat7 combines fast speeds and strong build for excellent delivery.
FAQs
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Can I install the Cat7 Ethernet Cable outside?
Yes, there would be no problem with installing this cable outside as it is made to be waterproof. But seeing as it is made with pvc casing, it is prone to damage by the elements. It would be wise to run it through a conduit that protects it from direct heat and cold.
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The Cat5e has at times been indicated to reach a 350MHz bandwidth. Is this accurate?
Since there are different manufacturers of these cables, some come with this ability. Some have been subjected to throughput tests that have proven this.
