Not all Ethernet Cables are the same

Ethernet Cables are the wiring of choice for most network applications. There are however some substantial differences between the different Ethernet cables available on the market. Beyond that Ethernet wiring actually has some strict limitations that should be obeyed, otherwise data loss and transfer speeds will suffer. As Wi-Fi connections are advancing, so are wired connection methods.

Ethernet Cable does not equal Ethernet Cable

There are a few different types of Ethernet wiring available. If you are using older Ethernet wiring in your business we will show you how to identify what type of wiring it is. It is also important to know that Ethernet cabling is backwards compatible and since every Category of wiring is numbered, the higher the number the more recent the standard. The reason these wires are constantly upgraded is because copper wiring is cheaper to manufacture than fiber optic wiring. For extreme data connections fiber optic is feasible, however for office use and even home use, fiber optic with the bend radius requirements and high cost is out of the question.

Connectors

The most well known connector is the RJ45 or 8P8C connector. This connector looks like a phone plug, only has capacity of 8 wires instead of 4 wires. It is important to know that slow Ethernet connections, up to 100MB/s can actually run via 4 wires, instead of all 8. Once PoE is added to the mix, however, all 8 wires will have to be used.

Ethernet wiring, when it first came out was actually designed to carry a phone signal and the data signal on the same wire. To have 2 phone lines and still have all the data up to 100MB/s on one cable. Soon it was realized that this was not a feasible idea, and the wiring standards that we will run through below were developed. Some other connectors include the ARJ45, GG45 and TERA connectors. Most of these were developed for high speed Ethernet, and can only be found in data centers and highly specialized applications.

Category 5

Cat-5e Cabling is currently the most used type of Ethernet wiring. Cat 5e is a further development of the original category 5 standard. It tightened the interference levels, but still uses the same frequency of 100MHz. There are some limitations to the Cat-5e standard, such as the maximum data transfer rate that caps out at 1GB/s, as well as a maximum wire run of 100m (328ft). If a longer run is required, active hardware such as a repeater or switch will have to be placed in the line, to allow for the additional length. Cat-5e cabling consists of 4 pairs of wires, each pair is twisted together, which minimizes crosstalk amongst the wires. Cat 5e wiring is usually never shielded.

Category 6

Again, there are two standards. Cat 6 and Cat 6a wiring. Cat 6a uses a frequency is 500MHz, twice that of Cat 6. This allows Cat 6a to carry data speeds to 10GB/s for up to 55m (180ft.), just as the Cat 5 could do with 1GB/s. Cat 6 at 250MHz is only able to deliver limited length runs at 10GB/s, making the Cat 6a variant the wiring of choice for future proofing your building. It is important to terminate both Cat 6 variants with compatible patch panels or jacks, otherwise the standard is not met and performance may be degraded. Cat 6 minimizes crosstalk between the wire pairs by adding tighter twists and is usually shielded by an added layer to the outer shell.

Category 7

Cat 7 is a newer standard that also offers 10GB/s data connections, this time at the full 100m (328ft.) again. Cat 7 also takes the shielding to another level and adds yet again tighter twists, but also shielding for each individual pair, on top of the already shielded outer shell. The Cat 7 standard is not accepted by the TIA, who is the certification authority in North America for cabling standards, and as such the RJ45 connector does not exist for Cat 7 cabling. Instead two different connectors, the GG45 that is compatible with the RJ45 connector and the TERA connector, which is not compatible with the RJ45 are available. These connectors allow for more sophisticated shielding of wiring.

Category 8

Cat 8 is currently still under development, but is planned to be accepted by the TIA. As such the common RJ45 connector will return. The major difference for Cat 8 cabling will be the increased bandwidth of up to 2.0 GHz. This will allow for data transfers at up to 40GB/s. This standard is still dependent on the hardware standard for switches and routers to be developed.

PoE

PoE can be run over all variants of these wires. It is recommended to have better shielding on the Ethernet cabling when using PoE, but regardless of the wire PoE can be used. The same limitations apply to PoE, that the maximum run length cannot exceed 100m or 328ft. We recommend having Cat 6a cabling in place for PoE applications to allow for better longevity and to minimize the interference the power may cause, especially for PoE+ applications. If you want to learn more about PoE, read our article here.

Identification

You may now wonder what wiring you have in your building. All Ethernet wiring is required to have the type of wiring printed on the outside jacket of the actual wire. A stamp that should state Cat 5 or 6 is usually the case for most businesses and homes nowadays. The type of shielding, if any, can also give you an indication of what type of wiring you are using. Cat 6 wires are always thicker because of the added layer of shielding. Cat 6 wiring is also a little harder to bend than Cat 5 wiring. If you have individually wrapped pairs within the wire, then you are most likely dealing with Cat 7 wiring.

Installation

It is important to know the limitations of Ethernet cabling when it is installed, as wrongly installed wiring can lead to data loss. Ethernet cabling has a very forgiving bending radius of 4 times the size of the outer diameter of the wire. Furthermore, depending on the wire used, the appropriate hardware will have to be used. A Cat 5 patch panel paired with Cat 6 wiring will not allow for Cat 6 speeds. As such it is important to pair up the proper equipment to allow for maximum performance. Another important factor is the electromagnetic radiation around the wire. If installed in a high interference environment, as a minimum Cat 6 wiring should be used. If this wiring is not used, electricity that is run parallel can render the cable completely useless.

Get in Touch

Is your wiring in need of an overhaul or are you experiencing network speed issues? Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments. You can call us at any time at (403) 477-4800 or email us at [email protected].