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Ethernet Cables Comparison between CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, CAT7 Cables
In the context of the 100-ohm UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) type of cable used for Ethernet wiring the only categories of interest are Cat3, Cat4, Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat7. CATx is an abbreviation for the category number that defines the
performance of building telecommunications cabling as outlined by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) standards. Some specifications for these categories are shown further down. Up until the late 1980s thick or thin coaxial cable was typically used for 10-Mbps Ethernet networks, but around that time, UTP cabling became more commonly used
because it was easier to install and less expensive. UTP CAT3 and CAT4 were used for a quite limited time since the emergence of 100Base-TX networks meant a quick shift to CAT5. By the year 2000, moves to gigabit
(1000Base-TX) Ethernet LANs created a need for another specification, CAT5e. CAT5e is now being superseded by CAT6 cable and there is a developing standard for CAT7. Specifications for Cat3, Cat4, Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A and Cat7 Cables
Category |
Type |
Spectral B/W |
Length |
LAN Applications |
Notes |
Cat3 |
UTP |
16 MHz |
100m |
10Base-T, 4Mbps |
Now mainly for telephone cables |
Cat4 |
UTP |
20 MHz |
100m |
16Mbps |
Rarely seen |
Cat5 |
UTP |
100MHz |
100m |
100Base-Tx,ATM,CDDI |
Common for current LANs |
Cat5e |
UTP |
100MHz |
100m |
1000Base-T |
Common for current LANs |
Cat6 |
UTP |
250MHz |
100m |
Exceeds 1000Base-T |
|
Cat6A |
both |
500MHz |
100m |
10 GigE |
|
Cat7 |
ScTP |
600MHz |
100m |
|
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TABLE 4: Industry Standards Performance Comparison at 100 MHz for Channels |
|
Category 5e |
Category 6 |
Category 6A |
Class F |
Class FA |
Frequency Range (MHz) |
1 - 100 |
1 - 250 |
1 - 500 |
1 - 600 |
1 - 1,000 |
Insertion Loss (dB) |
24.0 |
21.3/21.7 |
20.9 |
20.8 |
20.3 |
NEXT Loss (dB) |
30.1 |
39.9 |
39.9 |
62.9 |
65.0 |
PSNEXT Loss (dB) |
27.1 |
37.1 |
37.1 |
59.9 |
62.0 |
ACR (dB) |
6.1 |
18.6 |
18.6 |
42.1 |
46.1 |
PSACR (dB) |
3.1 |
15.8 |
15.8 |
39.1 |
41.7 |
ACRF1 (dB) |
17.4 |
23.3 |
23.3/25.5 |
44.4 |
47.4 |
PSACRF2 (dB) |
14.4 |
20.3 |
20.3/22.5 |
41.4 |
44.4 |
Return Loss (dB) |
10.0 |
12.0 |
12.0 |
12.0 |
12.0 |
PSANEXT Loss (dB) |
n/s |
n/s |
60.0 |
n/s |
67.0 |
PSAACRF (dB) |
n/s |
n/s |
37.0 |
n/s |
52.0 |
TCL (dB) |
n/s |
n/s |
20.3 |
20.3 |
20.3 |
ELTCTL3 (dB) |
n/s |
n/s |
0.5/0 3) |
0 |
0 |
Propagation Delay (ns) |
548 |
548 |
548 |
548 |
548 |
Delay Skew (ns) |
50 |
50 |
50 |
30 |
30 |
- Specified as ELFEXT for category 5e/class D and category 6/class E.
- Specified as PSELFEXT for category 5e/class D and category 6/class E.
- ELTCTL is specified at 30 MHz.
- Table 4 is from http://www.siemon.com/us/white_papers/07-03-01-demystifying.asp
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