Cat5e vs Cat6 — which cable do you need the most? Are you planning to upgrade to an advanced gigabit ethernet cable? Cat5e vs cat6, Cat5e riser cable when you need networking for small business or have lower server speed. But Cat6 riser copper ETL listed cable is future-proofing but expensive.
In today’s world, we can access the internet from — WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) and Twisted Pair (Cat5e vs Cat6). There are some modes of buying LAN cables the following are the key points
- Cost-effective buyers
- Newbie (Know less about cable)
- Copper LAN cable user
- CCA conductor user
- Temporary LAN cable users
- Commercial and Industrial users
- Data Centers
- Building, house, and small offices
So which one are you? Buying an Ethernet Cable is a complex task, before buying you must know the facts about the server speed, and the installation needs. There is a myth that Cat 6 riser cable will enhance the speed of the cable. But the twisted pairs only support the speed and that is why they are rated as gigabit. To know each category cable (Cat5e vs Cat6) let’s start with the similarities of the ethernet cable.
Similarities of Cat5e Vs Cat6
Have you heard the term “Backward Compatibility”? Yes, that’s what LAN cables have the properties to meet the demand for older network equipment. Here are some similarities the Cat5e riser cable and Cat6 riser cable have.
Features | Description |
Performance | In Cat5e and Cat6 both cables use solid copper and can support gigabit networking. The Bulk Cat5e riser cable will support 1 Gbps speed over a shorter length. |
Construction | The internal structure of both cables has twisted pairs to reduce the crosstalk and also uses an RJ45 male connector to connect network devices. |
Applications | Bulk cat5e riser and Cat6 riser cables are suitable for a variety of networking applications including networking switches, routers, home and office needs, PoE, etc. |
Riser Jacket | A PVC (Riser) jacket is just exceptional for restricting the fire incident. This riser jacket is suitable for vertical shafts and indoor installation. |
Cost | The riser is the most cost-effective jacket than the plenum. It tends to provide the best combination regarding conductivity and safety. |
What is the Difference Between Cat5e and Cat6 Cable
Along with similarities, cat5e riser cable, and cat 6 riser cable have some differences. This is reality as we move ahead in the category of ethernet cables we witness high changes in the specs of the ethernet cable.
Attributes | Cat5e Cable | Cat6 Cable |
Conductor Types | Copper and CCA | Copper and CCA |
Bandwidth | 350 MHz | 550 MHz |
Conductor Size | 24 AWG | 23 AWG |
Speed Variation | 100 Mbps over longer runs 328ft and 1000 Mbps over shorter lengths 164ft | 1/10 GbE Speed over longer and shorter lengths |
Connector Type | RJ45 connector | RJ45 Connector |
Outside Jackets | Riser and Plenum | Riser and Plenum |
Bending Radius | 4.60 mm | 5.90 mm |
Power over Ethernet (PoE) | Only support PoE 15.4 watts | PoE/+/++ |
What Is Crosstalk and Which Cable is Better?
The crosstalk is referred to as signal overlapping. This is a common issue when the cable is used in an active EMI or RFI field. For the Cat5e riser 1000ft cable, the whole cable has the twisted pair structure. The twisted pair design is used to maintain the electric flow to make minimal contact with the outer stray signals.
For Cat5e Riser Copper 1000ft cable, the inside twists per inch in twisted pairs are 4-5 which feature 24 AWG conductor size. When electric current passes through the wire it travels in a zigzag way thus making less electromagnetic field. Buying bulk cat5e riser cable is quite susceptible to crosstalk if used for longer runs. However, it cannot be defined that the cable is not worth buying as it still counts on many major applications.
Furthermore, the cat6 riser cable is the next upgraded LAN cable and also the most sophisticated in terms of structure. There are two main reasons for cat6 that it has improved ratings for the crosstalk (Attenuation).
- Tight Twisted Pair (5-6 Twists Per Inch)
- Spline (For pair-to-pair crosstalk)
In the cat6 riser 1000ft cable, the internal structure is rigid so that the cable can be used for longer distances. Crosstalk is a signal killer and therefore it needs to be minimal if you want seamless data transmission.
Is Cat6 Better Than Cat5e Cable?
Yes, it is but if we identify the usage of the cable then both cables cater to different speed servers. Like Cat5e riser copper 1000ft cable at longer runs only supports 100 Mbps speed whereas at shorter lengths it gives out 1000 Mbps speed. Here you need to understand that if you need the cable for longer runs it limits the speed to 100 Mbps.
Unlike the Cat6 Riser Bare Copper cable, at maximum length, the cable supports 1 Gbps speed and 10 Gbps over shorter lengths. The Cat 6 riser cable has the potential to be used for longer runs. The outer jacket of the cable remains the same PVC jacket is fireproof but it does emit less toxic smoke.
It is quite simple to choose the cable between Cat5e vs Cat6. You just need to think about the long-term use, server speed, and if you might want to upgrade the speed, usage (Fast Ethernet Applications), etc.
For PoE application, the Cat6 riser cable is the best due to its higher electrical capacity and it can be used for PoE (15 watts), PoE+ (30 watts), and PoE++ (90 watts).
What Is The Significance of Copper Conductors?
Copper is quite a useful conductor when it comes to sending or receiving electrical impulses. The copper is valuable for having properties like
- Excellent Conductivity
- Low Electrical Resistance
- Anti-corrosive properties
- Best for PoE applications
You might be thinking that if both Cat5e vs Cat6 have the same copper conductor why the speed specs are different? This is due to the following factors that speed might affect
- Length
- Outside environment
- Speed of the server
- Conductor size
- UTP cables
- Bandwidth
This might be the reason that the speed of both cables is different. With Cat6 riser bare copper cable the conductor size is 23 AWG which means it can carry bulk signal quality and also can be used for 2.4 and 5 GHz Ethernet.
Final Words
Networking cable is the user’s choice. You might get the cat5e riser copper 1000ft cable or go with the upgraded version Cat6 riser bare copper cable. The price might be the major factor that may alter your decision to choose the right cable. The consumer must understand the complexity of the networking cable. You cannot go with the flow if you want to establish a connection with the cat6 riser cable. You must have at least a gigabit speed to get the maximum performance of the cable.
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