What are the differences between CAT-5, CAT-5e, and CAT-6 data cables?
Currently, CAT-5e and CAT-6 are the most commonly used. CAT-5 and CAT-5e (enhanced) both have bandwidth capabilities of 100Mhz. However, additional parameters are tested on CAT-5e systems to ensure they can support transmissions of up to Gigabit (1000MHz) Ethernet using all four pairs of the cable. Traditionally network systems have been carried on only two of the available pairs with few notable exceptions. CAT-6 systems have a bandwidth of 200Mhz (with characteristics defined to 250Mhz). The improved performance of a CAT-6 system could support Gigabit Ethernet transmission using only 2 of the 4 pairs. This is likely to make Gigabit interfaces cheaper when running on CAT-6 systems although the cost of Gigabit Ethernet interfaces to run on Cat5e has already reduced considerably. The other consideration is that within the lifetime of the cabling system, faster technologies may develop which require the higher bandwidth of CAT-6.
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