Though the wireless connection is more convenient to use and its system is slightly easier to understand, being a cautious person, I always wonder about its security. Most people use it, but I want to have a strong and secure network in my home. Ethernet is the best way to have high-speed internet for the needs of your home, like file sharing, gaming, movie watching, and IP security cameras. For Ethernet networking, we need a cable that can pick up internet signals at a better speed. For this purpose, we use CAT5 or Category 5 and CAT6. Now the question is, what is the difference between Cat5 and Cat6, and which cable is better for new house wiring, because both categories serve the same purpose with little differences? A residential electrician can help you make a good choice for your new house wiring. Let’s have a look at their capabilities and construction in detail to understand which one is more suitable.
CAT5 Wiring construction & specifications
Telephone wiring
CAT5 is also known as telephone wiring. It can also be used for networking. But this wire can’t serve for long distances. A new version with the name CAT5e has also been developed by the telecommunications and industrial sectors for fast networking with the help of four wires in one cable.
Construction
CAT5 is composed of 24-gauge copper and ends on a jack of Rj-45. This cable consists of 4 wires, of which 2 are in a dormant condition. It is also called a twisted pair cable. The capacity of the cable is 100MHz, and it can carry telephone and video signals more efficiently.
Variants
The CAT5 wiring comes in two basic types. The one is stranded and the other is solid. Patch cables are mostly stranded cables. They are more flexible and cannot break while bending. It is best used to connect two devices when the distance is short. The other type is used when a long distance has to be covered. It is also used in permanent networking.
Working of CAT5
CAT5 does not support gigabit, but we can redesign it to use for this purpose. But we can only use that wire to get a gigabit for shorter distances. CAT5 can carry signals up to 100Mbps, which is a huge improvement from the previous version, CAT3 can carry only 10Mbps. This cable is also suitable for carrying signals in ATM token rings, etc. CAT5, though, has issues with signal interference as the wires in the cable are not as tightly constructed as CAT6. That’s why the CAT5 is not suitable to carry signals for long distances.
CAT6 Wiring construction & specifications
Network Cable
CAT6 is also known as a network cable, as it is designed to carry signals for long distances because of its tighter twisted cables. The internal structure is the same as the CAT5; it also contains 2 pairs of twisted wires and ends on an RJ-45 jack. To make it more secure, it has additional plastic shielding. In a highly saturated environment, this covering reduces the interference of electromagnetic waves with the signals in the cable.
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Capabilities of CAT6
CAT6 has a tighter twist to make two-way communication possible. This cable can carry signals up to 10 Gigabits but a distance of 164 feet. The advanced versions of CAT6 can carry the same gigabit to 328 feet. If we talk about the main differences between Cat5 and Cat6 are;
- Two-way communication
- Speed
- Length
CAT 6 is comparatively better in speed, but both types can cover a distance up to 328 feet. The first type allows two-way communication with better quality. If you want to have new wiring at your house for Ethernet, you can consult any electrical services provider. But before buying wires in any category, you should consider the following points:
Relevance
Despite the difference between Cat5 and Cat6, there are some similarities. You may find that CAT5 is the cheapest one. It has been used in the market since 1990, but will not be used in the future as well. You should keep the relevancy factor in mind while choosing between the two. The most popular cable is CAT6A these days, which promises a better speed than others. It will be a long-term investment as it is twisted more tightly and then packed with an extra plastic layer. If you want to have durable wiring, then you should install the second option.
Budget
The CAT5e was 30% more expensive than the CAT5, and the CAT6 was 30% more expensive than the CAT5e. So, the better the version, the more the price you have to pay. If you are installing wires in a big building. Then it will have a huge impact on your overall cost. So, you take an option according to your budget. But it may affect the speed of your internet connection. A commercial electrical service provider can help you decide according to your needs.
Evaluate your needs first.
If you have to cover long distances, then CAT5e will be a better choice as it can serve the same purpose at a cheaper price. But if the distance is short and you want to have a faster speed, then CAT6 is the best one. It will serve you for a longer period. Twisted copper cables are also known for their pliability, thermal expansion, durability, and ductility beyond their type. One thing that needs to be added here is that if you have wiring at your home, then CAT5e is the best option, but if you want to have it for commercial buildings, then CAT6 will be the best cable with high Gigabit speed.
How to install your network
These wires also come in different colors and variants. No matter what kind of wiring you have selected, if the installation is poor, you will not be able to get the desired results. The installation of a network by an inexperienced person will affect the speed and life of a system. Try to call a professional who can guide you and make a good installation as well. Hiring such a company will save you costs and time. They will take your project professionally and will consider every little detail of it.