Cat5 Cable

Cat5 Cable

Cat5 Cable

CAT5 cable, which is the shortened version of Category 5 cable, is a high signal integrity twisted pair cable type. It can come in shielded or unshielded cable versions. It is mainly used for computer networks as in the Ethernet, or for structured cabling. It may also be used to carry other signals such as ATM, token ring, and possibly just voice service. The specified performance characteristics of CAT5 cable can be found in a document called ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A, with further clarifications that are found in TSB-95.

There are twisted pairs held in a single cable jacket specifically within all CAT5 cable. The reason for this is that it preserves the high signal-to-noise ratio to prevent crosstalk. CAT5 cable is mostly used in 100 Mbit/s networks. Typically CAT5 cable features three different twists for each inch of twisted pair 24 gauge copper wires inside each cable.

Enhanced versions of CAT5 cable have been designed, thus now CAT5 cable is being phased out in favor of CAT5e cable. The test methods and the characteristics of the CAT5e cable are defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001.

CAT5e cable has much stricter performance specifications, however it still does not provide longer cable distances in the instance of Ethernet networks. Those particular cables still must adhere to 328 feet (100m) in length that allows for 5m of end patch cable that needs to be at each end.

There are two types of CAT5 cable, solid conductor and stranded form. Each will be used depending on whether one is using insulation piercing connectors or insulation displacement connectors. Stranded CAT5 cable is a higher flexible cable thus it can be used with insulation piercing connectors and still retain a reliable connection. When used, however, with insulation-displacement connectors then it makes highly unreliable connections.

Thus, building wiring will be solid core, however the movable cable that you use to plug your computer into a wall socket, for example, will be using the stranded form. CAT5 cable is ordinarily connected with 8P8C modular connectors. Mixed cable types, solid core and stranded, ought not to be connected in series because the impedance per pair will of course differ slightly, thus that may cause signal degradation.

One may actually find CAT5 cable that has been “UV rated.” This means that it may be open to the elements to outdoor UV radiation and still not suffer significant destruction. There is also CAT5 cable that is rated as suitable for “direct burial,” when the cable must be placed underground. In order to hinder any moisture migration into the cable, ordinarily this cable will be gel filled.

A very interesting tip that all cable installers know when using CAT5 cable on a tower is that because vertical cables will channel water directly into sensitive indoor equipment, they will therefore add a drip-loop at the underside of any run of cable.

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Here's Cat5 Cable Selections:

RiteAV - Cat5e Network Ethernet Cable - Blue - 50 ...	Customer Review: I guess it means over the internet or local network. But either way it is great. I bought 3 of these only thing is only clip broke off one end (my fault caught it on another wire)... Read More	(35)
White 50FT CAT5 CAT5e RJ45 PATCH ETHERNET NETWORK ...	Customer Review: i saved alot of money by buying this cord online. I needed a less expensive option than a wireless adapter for my xbox 360, which was about $100, so I bought this cord for about $12 including shipping. The router is in another room, so I just run it ... Read More	$25.99 (8)
Belkin A3L791-14-BLU-S RJ45M/RJ45M 14-Feet 10/100B...	Customer Review: Great cable. Has two ends and approx 14 feet of cable between the ends.... Read More	(22)
Belkin A3L791-S 3-Foot RJ45 CAT 5e Snagless Molded...	Customer Review: My Ethernet wire broke. (the wire I used to connect my Verizon Modem to my Linksys Router) so I got this one and it works fine. I would have liked them to specify "Ethernet" in the description cause I'm not familiar with the terminology and wasn't s... Read More	(16)
WHITE 100FT CAT5 CAT5e RJ45 PATCH ETHERNET NETWORK...	Customer Review: We needed a nonobtrusive ethernet connection for a room distant from the modem. This fit the bill perfectly. It was far less expensive and more compatable in length and color than could be found at any computer solutions source in our small community... Read More	(10)