Different categories of data cabling have varying specifications concerning shielding from electromagnetic interference, data transmission speed, and the potential bandwidth frequency range.

For a voice and data network, copper cabling, such as Cat5 and Cat6, is often suitable, but it’s crucial to select the appropriate ‘category rating’ for your network data cabling installation.

Cat5e is an enhanced version of the Cat5 cable, designed to reduce interference. This category supports not only 10/100Mbps but also 1000Mbps (1 Gigabit per second)! It has become the most widely used Ethernet cable category. Cat5 cabling is common in existing networks, but Cat5e is generally preferred for new installations due to its price. Cat5e cables are backward compatible with Cat5 cables, making them easy to use in any modern network installation. Please note that as Cat5e will soon no longer be ratified or supplied by leading UK manufacturers, we no longer install NEW Cat5e networks. For new networks, Cat6 is the new basic installation. However, if you require additions to an existing Cat5e network, we will be happy to install.

Cat6 cables offer improved transmission performance over Cat5e. While both can handle Gigabit Ethernet speeds, Cat6 can support bandwidths up to 250MHz and allows transmission rates of up to 1,000Mbps (1gb). Some properly installed Category 6 cables will also support 10 Gigabit speeds, albeit with length limitations. Cat6 cables offer advantages beyond speed, such as better insulation and thinner wires that provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio, reducing electromagnetic interference. In most cases, Cat5e cabling is more than sufficient and much more cost-effective than Cat6. Cat6 cables are backward compatible with both Cat5 and Cat5e cables.

Cat6A is the latest twisted-pair cable type defined in February 2008 under the newest version of the TIA 568-B standard (568-B.2-10). Cat6A operates at frequencies of up to 500 MHz and can support transmission speeds of 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps).