The Complete Guide to Ethernet Cables: What You Should Know

Despite the massive improvements in wireless technologies, ethernet cables are still the fastest and most reliable means of establishing a network connection. They are the backbone of networking infrastructure, as they are tough against wear and tear. However, it's essential to know that not all ethernet cables are identical. Manufacturers produce them in different categories as defined by ANSI and ISO standards.

The different categories are Cat5e, Car6, Cat6a, Cat7, and Cat8. They can have varying wire thickness, shielding, and copper quality, which makes them faster or slower. Learning the differences between these ethernet cables and the factors that affect their speed is vital to ensuring a flawless network. In this complete guide to Ethernet cables, we will explore all these aspects to make a logical and well-informed purchase decision in our next project. Let's begin!

What is an Ethernet Cable?

Bob Metcalfe, who worked at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, created the first ethernet system on May 22, 1973. It was a way to communicate digitally between a workstation and a printer. He changed the name of his successful project, “Alto Aloha Network,” to Ethernet. The word refers to the Luminiferous aether or “Ether,” a postulated light medium of the universe at the time. Fast forwarding years ahead, the cables that connected ethernet devices, an advanced rendition of the “Alto Aloha Network,” got the name ethernet cable.

Ethernet Cable: Who Categorizes Them?

As the world moved towards standardization to minimize waste and enhance collaboration for rapid advancements, an organization was needed to regulate ethernet cable technology. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization) are the two organizations that set the standards for ethernet cable. There are mainly two standards that address the ethernet cable categories directly:

• ANSI/TIA-568:Addresses ethernet cable categories, distances, pinout schemes, cable topologies, signal bandwidth, insertion loss, and cross-talk. It also provides installation guidelines for maximum performance.

• ISO/IEC-11801:It covers various cable categories, performance requirements, and installation practices, ensuring compatibility, interoperability, and performance for Ethernet networks.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) defines the electronic aspect of networking. The IEEE Standard 802.3 addresses the configuration element of an ethernet network and also presents the communication between devices on the same network. This standard is separate from physical cable characteristic requirements.

Types of Ethernet Cables

Ethernet cables ensure high-speed connectivity between devices that communicate digitally. Category 1 and 2 ethernet cables are not addressed in modern standards, as they only work for voice circuits, not data. Category 3,4 and 5 are well-defined categories per modern standards of ethernet cables, but their limited speed and susceptibility to electromagnetic inaccuracies made them obsolete. Here are the five available ethernet cables that cater to modern ethernet connection with high-speed connectivity:

Cat5e

The Cat5e is a Category 5 Enhanced ethernet cable commercialized in 2001, nearly five years after the launch of Cat5 cables. Cat5e uses 24AWG copper wires, typically 4 twisted pairs (8 wires) per cable. ANSI/TIA calls it enhanced due to its 10x faster data transfer speeds and capability to ensure data transfer on longer cable lengths without crosstalk. Cat5e is the ideal cable for home networks due to its excellent price/performance ratio for Gigabit speeds. However, many users are upgrading to Cat6 for better future-proofing, especially with higher-speed internet connections becoming common.

Cat6

In 2002, Cat5e cables were superseded by Cat6 cables. These ethernet cables provided backward compatibility with previous standards. Physically differentiating a Cat5e and Cat6 cable from outside is impossible owing to their similar RJ45 connectors and cable colors. Users can read the description printed onto the cable sheath by the manufacturer for differentiation. The wires inside a Cat6 cable are thicker, with an AWG of 23. This allows it to transfer more data and perform better than Cat5e. The twist in the wire pairs is tighter, and a plastic spline runs between the pairs to enhance separation and crosstalk.

Cat6a

The Cat6 is an augmented version of the Cat6 ethernet cables. The only difference is the thicker spline, jacket, and insulating material, which causes the Cat6a to provide better resistance to crosstalk issues. The wire thickness is the same, AWG23. The overall thickness of the cable increases in diameter. Its increasing thickness causes bending restrictions. Typically, the bending radius is directly proportional to the diameter of the wire. Routing a Cat6a ethernet cable is challenging and takes more room than the Cat6 cable.

Cat7

Launched in 2010, Cat7 cables take Cat6 ethernet cables to the next level. Instead of common shielding material, Cat7 shields individual pairs to enhance resistance against crosstalk further. It still uses the same 23 or 22 AWG 4-copper pair configuration. The primary purpose of Cat7 cables was to ensure future-proofing of the network system for environments where high-speed connections are necessary. It also performs exceptionally well in high-interference environments where EMI can directly affect the cable's data transfer capability. The category of Cat7 ethernet cable is well-defined in the ISO/IEC 1181 standard.

Cat8

The design of Cat8 cables targets data centers and enterprise environments where extremely high-speed connections are essential for performance. The working group TR43 under ANSI/TIA 568-C.2-1 finalized the design in 2016. It is the most advanced ethernet cable for networking. Users can find Cat8 cables with wire gauges ranging from 22 to 26 AWG. These cables feature the highest-quality copper conductors for high-speed connectivity. They have thicker shields than the Cat7 and Cat6 cables. There are no unshielded Cat8 cables.

Performance and Applications

Ethernet cables are the backbone of any network system. They must provide flawless connectivity by minimizing interference and wire resistive losses. The design iterations of Ethernet cables all target speed, bandwidth, and distance enhancement. Let's see what factors affect Ethernet cables and the differences in performance based on cable categories.

Factors That Affect Ethernet Cable Performance

● Electro-Magnetic Induction (EMI)

EMI can be present in household and industrial applications. It is produced by high-voltage wires passing near the ethernet cable. Induction heaters and motor drivers are some of the worst EMI-producing appliances. The EMI can cause the packets traveling in the ethernet cable to drop or induce errors. It can also cause variation in data, causing jitter in data connection.

● Attenuation

The ethernet signal uses electricity to transfer data. The strength of the signal can reduce as the ethernet cable distance increases. Resistance, capacitance, inductance, and the skin effect can all cause signal attenuation. High-end cables use multiple shielding techniques and pure copper to significantly reduce attenuation.

● Cross Talk

Ethernet communication protocols use multiple channels to transmit data. These channels typically pass through an ethernet cable's different copper wire pairs. However, the close proximities of these wires can cause interference between these channels. The degradation in the signal caused by the interference is called the cross-talk effect.

● Return Loss

In gigabit networks, the return loss is the ratio of the signal injected from the transmitter to the signal returning to the source. It is caused by discontinuities of material and impedance mismatches. It usually occurs when the cable is bent too much or kinked.

Performance Comparison on Ethernet Cable Categories

Ethernet cables vary in performance. The ethernet cable category matters in high-speed applications like data centers and competitive game streams. Differences in wire thickness, twisted pair tightness, sheath, and shielding affect an ethernet cable's performance in delivering data.

The data transfer speed of the cable can be higher than the standard values mentioned. The values below are the minimum speed the cable category will offer at a specific bandwidth and distance. However, lowering the distance or having ultra-high-quality cable can affect speed. Let's compare the performance of ethernet cable as per ANSI/TIA 568.2-D categories:

Cat5e

Speed: 1000 Mbps

Bandwidth: 100 MHz

Distance: 100 meters

The Cat5e ethernet cable achieves these speeds due to improvements in design compared to the Cat5, which only supports 100 Mbps. It's the first cable to reach the 1Gbps mark. It can potentially ensure WiFi deployments with multi-device connectivity, like higher traffic flow, can occur on wider roads. 100MHz provides more space for the signal to travel, directly affecting speed.

Cat6

Speed: 1000 Mbps

Bandwidth: 250 MHz

Distance: 100 meters

Another improvement to the Cat5e ethernet cable design, with broader bandwidth, leads to faster speeds. The Cat6 cable can handle up to 10 Gigabit internet for distances up to 55 meters, which makes it an affordable option for short-distance applications.

Cat6a

Speed: 10,000 Mbps

Bandwidth: 500 MHz

Distance: 100 meters

The Cat6a, an augmented version of the Cat6 cables, provides a broader bandwidth of 500 MHz. It enabled 10 Gigabit internet at a total distance of 100 meters. The cable uses a similar connector to the Cat6 ethernet cable, with full support for 10GBASE-T transmission speeds.

Cat7

Speed: 10,000 Mbps

Bandwidth: 600 MHz

Distance: 100 meters

Due to improved shielding and wire material, Cat7 ethernet cable provides a 600 MHz band, allowing increased data capacity, frequency range, data rate, and signal integrity. A wider bandwidth ensures lower noise and distortion in data transfer. It can also support 90W power over ethernet or PoE.

Cat8

Speed: 40,000 Mbps

Bandwidth: 2000 MHz

Distance: 30 meters

If you are looking for a highly future-proof networking system, then Cat8 ethernet cable is suitable. It is overkill for home applications but ideal for data centers. Its 40 Gbps speed with an ultra-high frequency bandwidth of 2000MHz is overkill for most modern applications. It has a guaranteed reliable 40Gbps speed that goes up to 30 meters in distance. The cable's massive diameter can also support power transmission over ethernet, supplying 200W of power.

Category	Speed (Mbps)	Bandwidth (MHz)	Distance (meters)	Key Features
Cat5e	1000	100	100	First to reach 1 Gbps, suitable for multi-device WiFi
Cat6	1000	250	100	Broader bandwidth for faster speeds supports 10 Gbps for short distances
Cat6a	10,000	500	100	Augmented Cat6 supports 10 Gbps for longer distances
Cat7	10,000	600	100	Improved shielding and wire material for higher data capacity support PoE
Cat8	40,000	2000	30	Ideal for data centers supports 40 Gbps for short distances, high power PoE.

Applications Based on Categories of Ethernet Cables

Picking the correct category based on your requirements can save you money and make your project efficient. It's easy to select a Cat8 cable for all these purposes, but as we know, distance limitations and routing troubles come with Cat8 cables. So, let's explore some applications and their suitable category of cable:

● LAN or Online Gaming

During competitive gaming competitions, the demand for speed and response time is at its peak! The organizers and management of such events ensure that their hardware performs at its maximum potential to allow players to perform at their best at world-renowned competitions such as The International (TI), The FNCS Global Championship, and LoL Worlds, which have price pools exceeding $25 million.

It's best to use a wired ethernet cable network with a high-speed connection with minimum signal distortion or noise at such high stakes. We recommend using the Cat7 cable. It is easy to route and offers good performance, ideal for gaming.

● High-Definition Video Streaming

For high-definition video streaming, HDMI 2.1 provides the maximum data transfer speeds for 8K video streaming, the highest resolution available. If HDMI 2.1 delivers 100 Mbps of speed, it can run at 60ed. It sets the benchmark for our networking speed. Also, if 4K resolution streaming is required, 25Mbps bandwidth is enough.

For 8K Streaming: Category 6a Ethernet Cable

For 4K Streaming: Category 5e Ethernet Cable

● Future Proofing Data Centers

Data centers and server rooms have massive amounts of data passing through their ethernet cables, and attenuation crosstalk return loss and EMI can critically affect performance. Therefore, the ideal approach is equipping them with the latest technology to make them future-proof. A Cat8 cable is perfect for future proofing as it can provide 40Gbps and 2000 MHz 30-meter distance.

● Corporate Networks: Businesses

Employees in corporate office networks or businesses rarely need data transfer, streaming, or low-latency applications. Cat5e ethernet cable has enough bandwidth to support high-speed data transfer. The difference between Cat8 and Cat5e cables would be barely noticeable in the daily work schedule.

Shielded vs. Unshielded Cables

Shielded Ethernet Cable

Cables protect wires from external factors such as moisture, liquid, heat, and physical wear. However, they still cannot fight invisible EMI and crosstalk. Modern cables offer twister pair technology that reduces interference naturally, but they are still susceptible to these invisible threats. Modern cables come with shielded protection for reduced interference from the environment. It leads to better and more consistent performance. However, there are different types of shielding, and cable manufacturers will use the following terms to describe shielding in ethernet cables:

STP: Standard Twisted Pair

U/FTP: No Overall Shield / Foiled Twisted Pair

F/UTP: Overall Foil Shield / Unshielded Twisted Pair

S/FTP or S/STP: Overall Foild Shield and Individual Foiled Twisted Pair

Pros	Cons
● Protects Against Liquid, Heat, And Physical Wear	● More Expensive
● Better Performance In High (EMI) And Crosstalk	● Stiffer And Less Flexible
● Provides Consistent Signal Quality	● Slower In The Absence Of EMI
● Ideal For Future-Proofing	● Large Diameters May Require More Space

Unshielded Ethernet Cable

For network connections at home or in a corporate environment, there is a meager chance of having EMI or cross-talk issues that require foil protection. Unshielded ethernet cables are easy to route and have an excellent price/performance ratio. The difference in speed due to external factors is noticeable for such applications. Without EMI, the unshielded twisted pair (USP) performs better than SSTP cables.

Pros	Cons
● More Accessible To Route And Install	● Performance Degradation In High EMI
● Cost-effective for Home And Office Environments	● Potential of Crosstalk
● Suits Connections Without Significant Interference
● Performs Better in Non-EMI Environment

CABLETIME provides a wide range of FTP, S/STP, and UTP cables for users who need cables to work in unique environments. They smartly utilize the most critical aspects of shielded or unshielded cables to make products that appeal to all user types. Their product line-up includes Cat6, Cat7, and Cat8 category cables that adhere to international codes and standards. The patched ethernet cables on their website come with advanced clamping and seals.

How to Choose the Right Ethernet Cable

Our readers must follow these steps to find the correct ethernet cable for their usage scenario, which will ensure longevity.

Step 1: How Fast is Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)

An average user in the USA, Europe, or any other part of the world will only partially utilize the capabilities of a 40Gbps ethernet cable speed. The highest available ISP speed is 8Gbps, offered by Google Fiber in the USA. This means you can download a 10GB game in 10 seconds. Consumer computers have limitations that cause them to download at way slower speeds than what Google provides. So, for an average internet user, Cat6a and Cat7 mean future-proofing your home for high internet speeds.

Step 2: Do You Need a Short Wire or a Long One

If you will route your cable through walls or trays, consider using cables supporting speeds over longer lengths with high maneuverability. Using a Cat8 to route wire to sockets is difficult due to bending issues. However, for data centers, that may be different. You need future proofing and high speeds across short-length connections between routers and switchers for server rooms and data centers.

Step 3: Patch Cable or Custom

Depending on your routing or application, decide between a patch cable and a custom bulk cable. Patch cables are a great option if you route a wire from the socket to your WiFi router. Otherwise, learn to wire up ethernet cables for long-distance routing, as you will need a bulk cable.

Step 4: Consider the Environment for Shielded or Unshielded

Picking between shielded and unshielded requires weighing each cable's goods against the bad. Unshielded is faster if there are no EMI or cross-talk concerns. However, shielded cables are ideal for industrial applications where inference due to induction motors, heaters, and induction ovens is expected. Therefore, shielded cables are only feasible in limited applications where EMI can disrupt their working. In the case of home applications, unshielded cables are best for high performance and budget-friendliness.

Summary and Recommendations

Ethernet cables can directly affect your network's performance. Carefully evaluating your requirements and selecting the suitable cable for the proper purpose can improve your network while reducing lag or packet loss. To avoid bottlenecks, Cat6, Cat7, and Cat8 are the most popular cable categories, providing the highest data speeds. Then comes selecting shielded or non-shielded cables. Shielded cables are ideal for industrial applications, whereas non-shielded work in most situations, such as homes and corporate offices.

If most users want the highest-performing ethernet cables for home or office use, consider the CABLETIME product lineup. They have options for UTP and SSTP cables with gold-plated connectors for a solid connection. They use 26AWG Oxygen-free copper in their products, diminishing attenuation losses. Their patched ethernet cables perform as promised on their specifications alongside a 2-year warranty period. Visit the CABLETIME website to view their product line-up.

5 Related Questions Readers May Ask

1. What is the difference between Cat5e and Cat6 cables?

The fundamental differences between Cat5e and Cat6 cables include bandwidth, shielding, and the tighter twist ratio. Cat6 provides a broader frequency range, similar to wider lanes for cars on a highway. It improves data transfer speeds and signal quality. Physically, Cat6 ethernet cables have 4 twisted pairs with a thickened AWG 23. It is higher than the Cat5e cable, thus lowering attenuation.

2. How can I tell if an Ethernet cable is shielded?

Manufacturers typically mention the ethernet cable shielding or patch cable title names in their specifications. The cable can be U/FTP (No Overall Shield / Foiled Twisted Pair), F/UTP (Overall Foil Shield / Unshielded Twisted Pair), or S/STP (Overall Foild Shield and Individual Foiled Twisted Pair). In patch cables, you cannot see the wires inside. However, you can observe the cutaway view in bulk cables to look for aluminum foils between wires or underneath the main sheath. These aluminum foils are the shields.

3. Can I use an Ethernet cable for both internet and local network connections?

The purpose of ethernet cable is to provide internet and local area network (LAN) connection. The RJ45 connector and modern T568B connection method are standard in network devices. However, you will need a compatible router or switcher to connect devices. Use a Cat6 UTP cable that is compatible with most home networking applications.

4. Do Ethernet cables affect internet speed?

The fastest internet available in 2024 is 8Gbps, which shows that a Cat5e cable can be a bottleneck as it only provides a 1Gbps internet speed. Any ethernet cable above Cat5e is suitable for the fastest internet speed. For home and office use, the chance of having internet access at higher speeds is rare.

5. How long can an Ethernet cable last before it loses signal quality?

Each category of ethernet cable has a guaranteed cable length beyond which the signal quality and speed will start to reduce. A Cat6 cable can be 1000 Mbps up to 100m of distance. A Cat8 ethernet cable can boost 40Gbps data transfer speeds but only up to 30m, beyond which the signal quality will decrease.