Categories Explained
Data cabling is classified in a number of different categories known as Cat5e, Cat6 etc. The category refers to the performance specification of the cabling system. Generally speaking, a higher category represents a higher performance level. So for example, a compliant Cat6 system will be guaranteed to perform to a higher specification than Cat5e. Apart from performance, the physical formats of the systems are typically the same. So for example, they all use 4-pair cables and apart from Cat7/7a, the most common connector is the 8-pin RJ45. Components are also normally backwards compatible, so a Cat6 patch cord may be used in a Cat5e system, but the resulting system will only perform to the lowest performing component, Cat5e in this case.
Category 5eSince Cat5e superseded Cat5 in 1999, it has been the baseline structured cabling system. It is still... more..
Category 6Cat6 has been the enterprise cabling system of choice for many years. Although only designed to run the... more..
Category 6aWhat is Cat6a? A Cat6a cabling system is higher performance than Cat6 (500MHz v 250MHz) and designed... more..
Category 7Cat7 is a very high performance system, specified to run at frequencies up to 600MHz. It is mandatory... more..
Category 7aCat7a is currently being developed as an enhancement to Cat7, the main difference being that Cat7a will... more..
Download  | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Cabling Categories | Mar 09 | 380 KB |
| Dedicated software is required to view PDF files. Your computer may already have PDF viewing software installed; it may have been included with your Web browser or operating system. If you do not have it already, you will need to download and install the PDF viewing software of your choice in order to view the PDF files on this site. | ||
