The differences between Cat5e and Cat6 Cabling

Some customers ask for specific types of cabling and sometimes only because it’s “newer” Here’s some information about the differences.

Cat 6 cables then hit the market amid some controversy. A lot of people started asking for Cat6 cables over Cat5e due to the way they were marketed instead of for their specifications. Cat6 cables are more expensive than Cat5e, and can be overkill for today’s home network speeds and what most homeowners are using them for. They have been advertised as being a much better solution than Cat 5e cables, but that is not necessarily the case. Most networks are still gigabit or less and Cat5e can handle gigabit speeds without a problem. The biggest misconception is that they are rated at a much higher megahertz than other cables, up to 250 MHz. This is not an accurate description though when it comes to the cable’s actual ability to pass a signal. Another misconception is that the Cat6 will carry a signal farther than other cables. This is not true; Cat 6 cables cannot carry a signal farther than the Cat 5e although the signal itself will be stronger. There is also Cat 6a on the market, which stands for “augmented Cat 6.” This cable is defined as having frequencies up to 500 MHz. Although this enhanced version of the cable will have a higher performance level, that means that it is physically bigger also. Cat 6a cables are the biggest currently on the market, which means they are heavier and need more room to bend.  Oh, did I mention Cat6 costs 1/3 more per foot too?
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