Ethernet Cables Explained. What is the difference?

If you're involved in an office fit out, office/commercial refurbishment or similar, knowing what cables to use is difficult. MD Business Interiors is here to help you office refurbishment go smooth, we ask the questions you might no know to ask.

So, here we hope to explain some of the boring but important information behind it all!

In 1973, Xerox PARC researcher Bob Metcalfe invented a high-speed networking system called Ethernet to allow computer workstations, servers and printers to share data and resources. Today, Ethernet connects hundreds of millions of devices in homes and businesses. In this article, we explain the Ethernet cable types that form the basis of many wired networks.

If you are buying Ethernet cable for the first time, focus on these four features and you'll make a good decision. Other factors are worth considering in certain circumstances so if in doubt, read on.

Speed (Data Rate): the speed of a cable refers to the amount of data it can transmit per second. 100 Mbps means the cable can transmit 100 million bits of data a second. In a commercial network, speed is usually dictated by the equipment you are connecting (for example, a network switch with Gigabit Ethernet ports). A cable's Category designation (e.g. Cat5e, Cat6, etc.) is an easy way to identify the speed of a cable.

Shielding: some Ethernet cables are shielded to protect the cable's conductors from electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by power lines, large machinery and fluorescent lighting. Shielding also prevents parallel conductors inside the cable jacket from interacting with one another. See Ethernet Cable Shielding for more information.

Cable Length: The maximum length of an Ethernet cable is about 295 feet (90 meters). Good quality cables with shielding and thicker conductors can reach further but some trial and error will be required. Keep in mind that cable runs are rarely straight so plan on extra cable for some twists and turns. See Ethernet Cable Length for more information.

Installation Location: cable jackets are rated for fire safety. If you plan on running cable through walls or between floors, choose rise-rated (CMR) or plenum-rated (CMP) cable. See Jacket Ratings for more information.

What is the difference between Cat5 and Cat6?
Cat6 and Cat6a cables are more expensive than Cat5e so it's important to know what you're getting for your money. For cable runs up to 50-ft, Cat6 is capable of 10 Gbps vs. 1 Gbps for Cat5e. For longer runs, Cat5e and Cat6 should give similar performance.

Should I upgrade from Cat5e to Cat6?
Upgrading to Cat6 makes sense if the equipment on either end is capable of 10 Gbps. For example, core network connections between switches, routers or bridges would benefit from the higher bandwidth.

Are Cat8 cables worth the extra money?
Cat8 is designed for switch-to-switch communications in 25G and 40G networks. Residential and commercial projects outside the data center would be better using Cat6a cable. Not only is it less expensive, it's also easier and faster to install.

Can you mix Cat5 and Cat6 cable in a network?
There's no problem in mixing Cat5e and Cat6 cable in the same network so long as you don't create a bottleneck. Use Cat6 in the parts of your network where fast data transfer is important, such as between a switch and a router.

Are all Cat6 cables the same?
All good quality cables that have been tested and certified by the manufacturer for a certain bandwidth and data rate are essentially the same. Shielded Cat6 and Cat6a cable will give you better performance than unshielded, particularly when cables must be run in close proximity to power lines or large electrical equipment.

Do cheap cables work just as well?
In a word, no. Category cables are made of solid or stranded copper but some companies sell cheap versions made with Copper Clad Aluminium (CCA), an aluminium conductor that is coated with copper. These cables are cheaper to manufacture but result in a weaker cable that does not perform as well.