Network Cable Categories

                   Category X cable also referred to as CATx.The UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) type of cable used for Ethernet wiring the only categories of interest are Cat3, Cat4, Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat7.These cables are using like.........



Specifications for Cat3, Cat4, Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat7 Cables
CategoryTypeSpectral B/WLengthLAN ApplicationsRemarks
Cat3UTP16 MHz100m10Base-T, 4MbpsNow mainly for telephone cables
Cat4UTP20 MHz100m16MbpsRarely seen
Cat5UTP100MHz100m100Base-Tx,ATM,CDDIUsed in LANs
Cat5eUTP100MHz100m1000Base-TUsed in  LANs
Cat6UTP250MHz100mEmerging
Cat7ScTP600MHz100m


The comparison of  CAT5 ,CAT5e, and CAT6 are given below.
CAT5, CAT5e, and CAT6 UTP Solid Cable Specifications Comparison
Category 5Category 5eCategory 6
Frequency100 MHz100 MHz250 MHz
Attenuation (Min. at 100 MHz)22 dB22 dB19.8 dB
Characteristic Impedance100 ohms ± 15%100 ohms ± 15%100 ohms ± 15%
NEXT (Min. at 100 MHz)32.3 dB35.3 dB44.3 dB
PS-NEXT (Min. at 100 MHz)no specification32.3 dB42.3 dB
ELFEXT (Min. at 100 MHz)no specification23.8 dB27.8 dB
PS-ELFEXT (Min. at 100 MHz)no specification20.8 dB24.8 dB
Return Loss (Min. at 100 MHz)16.0 dB20.1 dB20.1 dB
Delay Skew (Max. per 100 m)no specification45 ns45 ns

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