Ethernet Cable: Types, Performance & Pinout - Cat 5, 5e, 6, 6a, 7, 8
There are many Ethernet cables that can be bought. Often these cables are supplied free with equipment that uses Ethernet connectivity in some way or another.
There are several different varieties of Ethernet cable that can be obtained: speed variations, crossover cables, Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat6, Cat 6a, Cat 7etc..
Normally Ethernet cables will be bought and there is no major need to understand what is inside or on the connectors, although it can be both interesting and helpful on some occasions. Even so, an understanding of the different types of Ethernet cable and the maximum lengths that should be used is helpful.
The commonly used network cables: Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat7 all have different levels of performance, and therefore to is necessary to buy or select the right cable for the right application.
These network cables are used for connecting a variety of network elements from Ethernet switches and Ethernet routers to computers, servers and other network items - if there is an Ethernet interface, they can be connected using Ethernet cables.
Typical Ethernet cable supplied with many computers, Ethernet routers, etc
Typical Ethernet cable supplied with many computers, routers, etc
Ethernet cable basics
The Ethernet cables for connectivity in most office and home environments rely on twisted wire pairs within an overall cable - Cat 5, Cat 6 and Cat 7 all used this format. Twisting the wires together enables the currents to balance, i.e in one wire the current is moving in one direction, and int he other wire of the pair the current is going in the other, enabling the overall fields around the twisted pair to cancel.
In this way, data can be transmitted over considerable lengths without the need for undue precautions.
As several twisted pairs are contained within a particular network cable, the number of twisted per unit length is arranged to be different for each pair - the rate being based on prime numbers so that no two twists ever align. This reduces crosstalk within the cable.
The Ethernet cables are available in a variety of lengths as patch cables, or the cable itself is available for incorporating into systems, buildings, etc. The terminations can then be made to the required connector using a crimp tool. These network cables are available in a variety of lengths - long Ethernet cables are available, some of the longest being up to 75 metres.
Earlier network cables were unshielded, but later ones were shielded to improve the performance. For example an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable may be satisfactory for a short run between a computer and router, but a foil shielded cable, FTP, is best longer runs or where the cable passes through areas of high electrical noise.
Ethernet cable and connector used for connecting items including Ethernet switches, Ethernet routers, computers, network servers, etc.
Flat Ethernet cable and connector
There are different methods that can be used for shielding Ethernet cables. The most common is to place a shield around each twisted pair. This not only provides shielding for the cable externally, but also reduces crosstalk between the internal twisted pairs as well. Manufacturers can further enhance the performance by placing shielding around all the wires in the cable just under the cable sheath. There are different codes used to indicate the differs types of shielding:
U/UTP - Unshielded cable, unshielded twisted pairs
F/UTP - Foil shielded cable, unshielded twisted pairs
U/FTP - Unshielded cable, foil shielded twisted pairs
S/FTP - braided shielded cable, foil shielded twisted pairs
Where: TP = twisted pair, U = unshielded, F = foil shielded, S = braided shielding.
A further difference within the Ethernet cables whether Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6e, or Cat 7 can be whether solid or stranded wires are used within the cable. As the description implies, a solid cable uses a single piece of copper for the electrical conductor within each wire of the cable whilst stranded wire uses a series of copper strands twisted together. Although when buying a patch cable, it may not be necessary to know this, when installing a long cable run it may be important as each type is slightly more suitable for different applications.
Stranded cable: This type of wire is more flexible and it is more applicable for Ethernet cables where the cable may be moved - often it is idea for patch leads at desks or general connections to PCs, etc where some movement may be needed and expected.
Solid cable: Solid cable is not as flexible as the stranded type, but it is also more durable. This makes it best for use in permanent installations like cable installations under floors, embedded in walls and the like.
Categories for Ethernet cables
A variety of different cables are available for Ethernet and other telecommunications and networking applications. These network cables that are described by their different categories, e.g. Cat 5 cables, Cat-6 cables, etc, which are often recognised by the TIA (telecommunications Industries Association) and they are summarised below:
Cat-1: This is not recognised by the TIA/EIA. It is the form of wiring that is used for standard telephone (POTS) wiring, or for ISDN.
Cat-2: This is not recognised by theTIA/EIA. It was the form of wiring that was used for 4Mbit/s token ring networks.
Cat-3: This cable is defined in TIA/EIA-568-B. It is used for data networks employing frequencies up to 16 MHz. It was popular for use with 10 Mbps Ethernet networks (100Base-T), but has now been superseded by Cat-5 cable.
Cat-4: This cable is not recognised by the TIA/EIA. However data cabling installation services can be used for networks carrying frequencies up to 20 MHz. It was often used on 16Mbps token ring networks.
Cat-5: This is not recognised by the TIA/EIA. This is the network cable that is widely used for 100Base-T and 1000Base-T networks as it provides performance to allow data at 100 Mbps and slightly more (125 MHz for 1000Base-T) Ethernet. The Cat 5 cable superseded the Cat 3 version and for a number of years it became the standard for Ethernet cabling. Cat 5 cable is now obsolete and therefore it is not recommended for new installations.
Cat 5 cable uses twisted pairs to prevent internal crosstalk, XT and also crosstalk to external wires, AXT.
Although not standardised, the Cat 5 cable normally uses 1.5 - 2 twists per centimetre.
The Six Subsystems of a Structured Cabling System
This information is based on two standards: ANSI/TIA-568-C.0 (Generic Telecommunications Cabling for Customer Premises), which is used for generic infrastructures, and ANSI/TIA-568-C.1 (Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard), which is more commonly used with typical commercial building infrastructures.
Six Subsystems that make up a Structured Cabling System
1. Entrance Facilities (EF)
Entrance facilities contain the cables, network demarcation point(s), connecting hardware, protection devices and other equipment that connect to the access provider (AP) or private network cabling. It includes connections between outside plant and inside building cabling.
2. Equipment Room (ER)
The environmentally controlled centralized space for telecommunications equipment is usually more complex than a telecommunications room (TR) or telecommunications enclosure (TE). It usually houses the main cross-connect (MC) [Distributor C] and may also contain the intermediate cross-connects (ICs) [Distributor B], horizontal cross-connects (HCs) [Distributor A], or both.
3. Backbone Cabling
The backbone cabling provides interconnection between telecommunications rooms, equipment rooms, access provider (AP) spaces and entrance facilities. There are two subsystems defined for backbone cabling:
Cabling Subsystem 2 – Backbone cabling between the horizontal cross-connect (HC) [Distributor A (DA)] and the intermediate cross-connect (IC) [Distributor B (DB)]
Cabling Subsystem 3 – Backbone cabling between an intermediate cross-connect
(IC) [Distributor B (DB)] and the main cross-connect (MC) [Distributor C (DC)]
Recognized cabling:
100-ohm twisted-pair cabling: Category 3, Category 5e, Category 6 or Category 6A
Multimode optical fiber cabling: 850 nm laser-optimized 50/125 μm is recommended; 62.5/125 μm and 50/125 μm is allowed
Single-mode optical fiber cabling
4. Telecommunications Room (TR) and Telecommunications Enclosure (TE)
A TR or TE houses the terminations of horizontal and backbone cables to connecting hardware including any jumpers or patch cords. It may also contain the IC or MC for different portions of the backbone cabling system. The TR or TE also provides a controlled environment to house telecommunications equipment, connecting hardware and splice closures serving a portion of the building.
The use of a telecommunications enclosure (TE) is for a specific implementation and not a general case. It is intended to serve a smaller floor area than a TR and may be used in addition to the minimum "one TR per floor" rule.
5. Horizontal Cabling – (Cabling Subsystem 1)
The horizontal cabling system extends from the work area’s telecommunications information outlet to the telecommunications room (TR) or telecommunications enclosure (TE). It includes horizontal cable, mechanical terminations, jumpers and patch cords located in the TR or TE and may incorporate multiuser telecommunications outlet assemblies (MUTOAs) and consolidation points (CPs). The maximum horizontal cable length shall be 90 m (295 ft.), independent of media type. If a MUTOA is deployed, the maximum horizontal balanced twisted-pair copper cable length shall be reduced.
Recognized cabling:
4-pair 100-ohm unshielded or shielded twisted-pair cabling:
Category 5e, Category 6 or Category 6A
Multimode optical fiber cabling, 2-fiber (or higher fiber count)
Single-mode optical fiber cabling, 2-fiber (or higher fiber count)
Horizontal Cabling Maximum Distances and Information Outlets
6. Work Area
Work area (WA) components extend from the telecommunications outlet/connector end of the horizontal cabling system to the WA equipment.
A minimum of two telecommunications outlets (permanent links) should be provided for each work area. Multiuser telecommunications outlet assemblies (MUTOAs), if used, are part of the WA.
The Six Subsystems of a Structured Cabling System
This information is based on two standards: ANSI/TIA-568-C.0 (Generic Telecommunications Cabling for Customer Premises), which is used for generic infrastructures, and ANSI/TIA-568-C.1 (Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard), which is more commonly used with typical commercial building infrastructures.
Six Subsystems that make up a Structured Cabling System
1. Entrance Facilities (EF)
Entrance facilities contain the cables, network demarcation point(s), connecting hardware, protection devices and other equipment that connect to the access provider (AP) or private network cabling. It includes connections between outside plant and inside building cabling.
2. Equipment Room (ER)
The environmentally controlled centralized space for telecommunications equipment is usually more complex than a telecommunications room (TR) or telecommunications enclosure (TE). It usually houses the main cross-connect (MC) [Distributor C] and may also contain the intermediate cross-connects (ICs) [Distributor B], horizontal cross-connects (HCs) [Distributor A], or both.
3. Backbone Cabling
The backbone cabling provides interconnection between telecommunications rooms, equipment rooms, access provider (AP) spaces and entrance facilities. There are network cabling contractors near me defined for backbone cabling:
Cabling Subsystem 2 – Backbone cabling between the horizontal cross-connect (HC) [Distributor A (DA)] and the intermediate cross-connect (IC) [Distributor B (DB)]
Cabling Subsystem 3 – Backbone cabling between an intermediate cross-connect
(IC) [Distributor B (DB)] and the main cross-connect (MC) [Distributor C (DC)]
Recognized cabling:
100-ohm twisted-pair cabling: Category 3, Category 5e, Category 6 or Category 6A
Multimode optical fiber cabling: 850 nm laser-optimized 50/125 μm is recommended; 62.5/125 μm and 50/125 μm is allowed
Single-mode optical fiber cabling
4. Telecommunications Room (TR) and Telecommunications Enclosure (TE)
A TR or TE houses the terminations of horizontal and backbone cables to connecting hardware including any jumpers or patch cords. It may also contain the IC or MC for different portions of the backbone cabling system. The TR or TE also provides a controlled environment to house telecommunications equipment, connecting hardware and splice closures serving a portion of the building.
The use of a telecommunications enclosure (TE) is for a specific implementation and not a general case. It is intended to serve a smaller floor area than a TR and may be used in addition to the minimum "one TR per floor" rule.
5. Horizontal Cabling – (Cabling Subsystem 1)
The horizontal cabling system extends from the work area’s telecommunications information outlet to the telecommunications room (TR) or telecommunications enclosure (TE). It includes horizontal cable, mechanical terminations, jumpers and patch cords located in the TR or TE and may incorporate multiuser telecommunications outlet assemblies (MUTOAs) and consolidation points (CPs). The maximum horizontal cable length shall be 90 m (295 ft.), independent of media type. If a MUTOA is deployed, the maximum horizontal balanced twisted-pair copper cable length shall be reduced.
Recognized cabling:
4-pair 100-ohm unshielded or shielded twisted-pair cabling:
Category 5e, Category 6 or Category 6A
Multimode optical fiber cabling, 2-fiber (or higher fiber count)
Single-mode optical fiber cabling, 2-fiber (or higher fiber count)
Horizontal Cabling Maximum Distances and Information Outlets
6. Work Area
Work area (WA) components extend from the telecommunications outlet/connector end of the horizontal cabling system to the WA equipment.
A minimum of two telecommunications outlets (permanent links) should be provided for each work area. Multiuser telecommunications outlet assemblies (MUTOAs), if used, are part of the WA.