What Are the Differences Between Cat5 and Cat5e Cables?
The category 5 and category 5e are the types of Ethernet cables. The category 5e cables are an enhanced version of Cat5. Hence, they are newer than the Cat5 cables. The Cat5e cables provide comparatively faster and more reliable communication as compared to the Cat5 cables. Β CAT5 cable can transmit data at 10 to 100Mbps speeds, whereas the newer CAT5e cable can transmit up to 1000Mbps. The CAT5e is less prone to crosstalk or interference as it can limit the interference from the wires within the cable itself.
In this article, we have provided major differences between Cat5 and Cat5e cables. So, letβs dig in detail!
Speed
None of these cables can make your internet connection faster. These cables have the ability to send and receive data at the same speed your internet is capable of and can transmit data from one computer to another in a network. In case of sending data between computers, the hardware can affect the speed.
CAT5 cables have the ability to work for network connections that are under 100Mbps, whereas a CAT5e cable can work up to 1000Mbps. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, the Cat5 cables can face more interference, hence, these cables struggle to transmit data even up to 100Mbps. Hence, the speed of Cat5e cables is better than Cat5.
Length
The length of CAT5 and CAT5e cables should not exceed than 328ft (100m). Even at these lengths, the data transmission may get slow. Hence, in order to cope up with the situation, you can use a switch or hub as a repeater to amplify signals. This can help you to transmit up to 590ft (180m). Beyond this length, the fiber optic cables must be used.
You can buy CAT5 and CAT5e cables that are much longer than the recommended length, but this will result in poor communication and unreliable connections.
Pricing
The hardware and connection may work fine with a CAT5, but LANs should use CAT5e or better in order to get a better performance. The type of cabling either solid or stranded depends on your requirements; though, stranded cable is cheaper than the solid one.
The price of CAT5e cables depends on the length, manufacturer, and seller. The general cost of these cables ranges from $0.20 to $0.30 per foot. CAT5 cables have become rare now but these cables are cheaper than Cat5e. However, Cat5e is a better choice for fulfilling network requirements.
Wiring
In order to decrease the electromagnetic interference and crosstalk between the wires themselves; the CAT5 and CAT5e use twisted pair wiring. The major difference between the wiring of these two types of cables lies in the specification. As compared to the Cat5 cables, the CAT5e cables have more stringent requirements in terms of tightness of the wire twisting. The tightly twisted wiring helps in limiting the crosstalk. That is why the Cat5e cables are less prone to interference; even the outdoor Cat5e cables present less crosstalk.
Hence, these are some major differences between Cat5 and Cat5e cables. You can choose the one that fully caters your requirements. If you have any question, please feel free to ask in the comment box below:
