Cat6a vs. Cat6e Ethernet Cables – Which one is a better cable?
The Cat6a and Cat6e cables are very similar, and presented with the chance to pick one from the two, you may not know which one to go for. How do they differ?
Most of the time, when presented with the opportunity to choose between two items that present near similar characteristics, it can become difficult to decide which one is best. Think of two cars, for example, that have similar engine capacities and fuel consumption. You like them both but you can only choose one. And the hardest bit is that the differences between them are oh, so negligible.
This is the case with the Cat6a and Cat6e Ethernet cables. They have similar characteristics, and they are both quite capable of transmitting heavy data within a short time. They present similar builds and are both ideal for home and office use. But did you know that there are no particular standards for the Cat6e?
So given the choice, which one would you pick, and which one would serve you better? This article gives an in-depth description of both cables, particularly where the differences are mainly observed. I’m hoping you will come along!
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Cat6a and Cat6e Ethernet Cables?
Category |
Cat6a (Winner) |
Cat6e |
Maximum Transmission Speed |
10 Gbps |
10 Gbps |
Maximum Bandwidth |
500 Mhz |
600 Mhz |
Shielding |
Shielded |
Shielded |
The Cat6a vs. Cat6e Ethernet Cables – How do they compare?
Maximum Transmission Speed
Both these cables hold the capacity to transmit Gigabyte data. The Cat6a cable has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps, making it able to work efficiently in a data center and an office setting. It has a more stable transmission over a longer distance. It can sustain this speed at a distance of up to 100 meters with very little to zero interference.
The Cat6e is also has a similar transmission speed. It can transmit data at a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps, also putting it in a position to sufficiently serve an office setting and a data center. The manufacturers of this cable have mentioned that it can hold this speed even beyond the 100 meter mark.
Maximum Bandwidth
The Cat6a cable came as an advanced option to the Cat6 Ethernet cable. The Cat6 cable has a maximum bandwidth of 250 Mhz, and the Cat6a came with twice the capacity. It boasts a 500 MHz bandwidth which gives it the capacity to transmit huge amounts of data at incredibly fast speeds.
The Cat6e is an enhanced option for the Cat6 cable, but it is not officially recognized by the Telecommunications Industry Association. Some manufacturers use it as a marketing strategy, but it also has impressive specs. It boasts a maximum bandwidth of up to 600MHz, but note that this has not been officially recognized.
Shielding
Both of these cables have great builds that enable them to stay quite a bit of time without sustaining significant damage. Being transmitters of electromagnetic impulses, they are both furnished with copper wires. It is imperative that these cables do not come into direct contact with one another as it could result in serious interference and subsequent crosstalk. For this reason, each of the copper wires is covered in thin pvc casing. The wires are then twisted in twos to make 4 pairs.
The Cat6a has a foil covering the twisted copper wires, and it adds more structure to the cable an also significantly reduces the chances of crosstalk. This cable is also furnished with a spline, a pvc feature that runs the entire length of the cable. It also enhances support and prevents the wires from coming into contact.
That Cat6e also has a similar build. The twisted wires are held in place by a foil casing, and a spline also works to strengthen to the cable and reduce chances of crosstalk.
The Cat6a vs. Cat6e Ethernet Cable Overview
The Cat6a Ethernet Cable
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This cable came as an advanced option to the Cat6. It came with twice the bandwidth, bringing a width of up to 500 MHz. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10GBps that it can comfortably hold for distances of up to 100 meters. This bandwidth and transmission speed combination makes it suitable to use in office settings and data centers.
It has a great build, and it comes with an extra shield between the copper wire pairs and the outer jacket. There is also a pvc spline that runs the whole length of the cable. The main purpose of this spline is to keep the copper wires in place to reduce the chances of crosstalk. It also makes the cable more stable and strong. The cable is also built to be reverse compatible.
Pros
- It has a high maximum transmission speed
- It has a broad bandwidth
- It has a spline for better structure and strength
- It is reverse compatible
Cons
- The spline makes it hard to bend and install in tight corners
The Cat6e Ethernet Cable
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The ‘e’ in the Cat6e means ‘enhanced’. The cable came as an enhancement of the Cat6 cable. It is worth noting that the Telecommunications Industry Association has not officially approved this cable, but some manufacturers still label their cables as such.
It comes with a maximum transmission speed of up to 10 Gbps and a bandwidth of up to 600MHz. This combination makes it able to handle massive transfers within a limited amount of time, making it fit right at home in offices and data centers.
This cable also comes with an incredible build. It has an extra shield between the twisted copper wires and the outer jacket of the cable. This extra shield significantly reduces the chances of crosstalk and also enhances the structure of the cable. Beyond this, there is a spline that runs though the center of the cable to keep the copper wires from interacting. This cable is also made t be backward compatible.
Pros
- It has a high maximum transmission speed
- It has a broad bandwidth
- It has a strong structure due to the splein
Cons
- The spline makes it hard to manipulate and install in sharp corners
Conclusion
Both of these cables have similar characteristics, and having one is very much like having the other. They have similar transmission speeds and near similar bandwidths, making them suitable for the same environments.
Verdict: So, which one is better – Cat6a or Cat6e?
For the obvious reason that the Cat6a is approved by the TIA, it is a much better cable to buy. It delivers a high maximum transmission speed and bandwidth and it also has great structure. It also gives results that are tried and true.
FAQs
-
Does the Cat6e Ethernet Cable exist at all?
Well, yes. It does exist. There are many cables in the market currently that are labeled as such and also deliver the said specifications.
And, no. If you are looking for a Cat6e TIA-approved Ethernet Cable, you are not going to find one. So in this regard, the Cat6e cable does not exist.
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How much time does the Cat6a Ethernet Cable take to transmit 1 terabyte of data
It takes this cable approximately 20 minutes to transmit 1 terabyte of data.
