cat6e vs cat6a

Of course, Cat6a would be even better but Cat6a is relatively new and the price jump between Cat6 and Cat6a is much steeper than the difference between Cat5e and Cat6. Both of these cables achieve 250MHz and 1Gb up to 100 meters (328 Feet). Cat6 cable has a performance spec of: You'll often find Cat6 cables coming in 23 to 24AWG sizes. The simple fact is that each installer has their personal preference and way of doing things. But having the spline is important. Cat6 and Cat6 cables such as stranded (cm), riser and plenum do not use different keystone jacks. The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) introduced two performance standards; Category 6 (CAT6) and Category 6A … Depending on your type of cable whether it be shielded or unshielded will determine which patch panel you use. To recap: When referring to the difference between Cat6 vs Cat6e we look at their structure for the differences. This includes: Your need and network setup will determine which connectors you will need. In broad terms, the ISO standard for Cat 6A is the most stringent, followed by the European standard, and then the American (1 on 1 matching capability). It is often asked “Is Cat6A cable better than Cat6?” Strictly speaking based on performance, and all else being equal, the answer is “yes.” This does not … The most important thing in by doing this it to make sure that our cables meet the performance specs of Cat6 cable as designated by ISO/IEC and TIA. … The more insulation means the more distance there is between the pairs. Cat6a cables are also a future-proof solution that can handle network upgrades. CAT6 cables are rated at 1Gbps while CAT6a cables can achieve up to 10Gbps.It is able to achieve this because it operates at 500Mhz; twice that of the 250Mhz operation of the CAT6 cables. A Cat6 cable with a spline and a Cat6 cable without a spline. It supports STP. The spline / cross separator is what gives the cable better performance against near end crosstalk. So, look at the specs on your network gear and make sure your cable meets what is asked. So if you are using unshielded cable then you want to use unshielded keystone jacks. The alternative versions to Cat6 cable is Cat6e. This option of cable gives you the flexibility you want in your cable if you prefer not to terminate with a spline but want Cat6. For patch panels you want to use Cat6 versions here. © 2021 Infinity Cable Products. Cat5e will give you all the performance you are likely to need today for workstations. In addition, CAT6e cable with grounded foil shielding can reach 10-Gigabit Ethernet … Keep in mind here to watch out for the AWG size ratings of the plugs. Another key factor in this Cat6a shielded vs. unshielded battle is to analyze how prevalent EMI will be in the installation environment. Giving you the quality you desire. Unlike Cat 6, using Cat 6a will require you a special connector as it is not readily available in UTP form. Consult your specific application … Cat 6 vs. Cat 6a . EMI is commonly caused by nearby motors, generators, air … While the consumer electronics keep going increasingly wireless, many LANs still rely heavily on CAT cables to handle all … Your system will just perform at the level of the lowest link, in this case the Cat5e patch cable. They are also tested above spec for optimal performance and extra headroom. At shorter distances they can give you some additional future proofing benefits compared to older categories. 10 Gigabit Ethernet up to 55 meters. Soon after the ratification of Cat … Category 6e or Enhanced Category 6. So.. if you buy a Gigabit switch, and have Gigabit NIC cards in your PCs, then you'll get Gigbait speeds so long as your cable supports that. This spline / cross separator is used to separate each individual twisted pair. They use the same style RJ-45 jacks and plugs. CAT6A has additional and tighter twists, with additional insulation to reduce crosstalk. So to better perform against this the spline was introduced. What's important to note here, is that even Cat5e supports Gigabit Ethernet. Cat 7 or Class F (ISO/IEC 11801) offers the same speed as Cat 6a… We bring up the fact about personal preference because the spline can be difficult to work with sometimes. Our Cat6 unshielded cables in (Riser and Plenum) are manufactured with more insulation around the twisted pairs. Cat6 and Cat6a cables are more expensive than Cat5e cables, with the cost depending primarily on length. What is Cat6 Cabling? [failed verification] Category 6e and beyond. Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters When carrying broadband video (CATV), the cable performance has a big impact on signal quality and in turn, the length your cable runs can be. A common misunderstanding is, if you put in a higer grade of cable, you will get faster network performance. 10 Gigabit Ethernet up to 45 meters, Cat6: Under ideal conditions (proper terminations, the right environment and right cable) Cat6 cable can achieve 10Gb up to around 33-55 meters. Shop Cat6 and Cat6e Cable We hope this article on the difference between Cat6 vs … CAT3 vs. CAT5 vs. CAT5e vs. CAT6 vs. CAT6e vs. CAT6a vs. CAT7. As the above chart illustrates, Cat6a cables support high-speed data transfer over longer distances than Cat6 cables. If the other end, and the cable can't handle that speed, it will drop down to the next level. Both of these cables are great options whether you're looking to upgrade your home or business network. This includes the way they terminate cables and what they like to work with. What's more likely though, is that you'll be running any 10 Gibabit connections over fiber. However, it's important to remember that Cat6 cable is not guaranteed to be able to do 10Gb. CAT6A is also backwards compatible with CAT6 and CAT5E, however, speeds are always limited and will perform to the lowest category cable or … The Category 6 Augmented cable standard, or Cat 6a, was created to further improve the performance of Cat 6 Ethernet cables.Using Cat 6a enables 10 Gigabit Ethernet … 5. Cat6a … You also want to get stranded RJ45s for stranded cable and solid plugs for solid cable. For their purposes, CAT6e … Here's a test report to our Cat6 cable for reference. You might be thinking, Ok so where does Cat6e come in to play? Even 1080p streaming video with Dolby Digital Plus audio requires less than 10 Mbit/s. 10 Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters Better transmission performance. Cat6 cable is an advancement on long standing networking cable: Cat5e. And Cat6a … Posted at 13:58h in Structured Network Cabling by Fred Dawli. Cable technology is on the move and keeping yourself up to speed and future proofed is a safe way to ensure your network is ready to go for many years to come. The “a” in Cat 6a stands for augmented. The Difference Between Cat6 vs Cat6A Ethernet Cable. With each upgrade in cable, there is less signal loss, less cross talk, and a larger frequency bandwidth where performance expectations are defined. The increased amount of insulation compared to other Cat6 cables you will find in the market gives it the performance it needs against cross talk. Do Cat6e or Cat7 exist?Here at CableWholesale.com we are answering common questions we get asked. The parts are interchangeable, so you can use a Cat5e patch cable with Cat6 house cabling. Fiber Optic Cabling VS. Cat6: Everything You Need To Know. We hope this article on the difference between Cat6 vs Cat6e cable was helpful. For example, a 25 ft unshielded Cat6 cable goes for $ It advances on Cat5e cable by having a higher twist rate and having better performance against near end crosstalk. The only thing you will decide on is if you want 90 degree or 180 degree designs. Cat8 cable, or category 8 cable, is an Ethernet cable which differs greatly from the previous cables in that it supports a frequency of up to 2 GHz (2000 MHz), and is limited to a 30-meter 2-connector … Infinity Cable Products prides itself on offering quality network cable and products at affordable prices. And, they are each limited to a cable length of 100 meters including the length of the patch cables on either end of the link. Cat6a: Consider that a VoIP call uses 64Kbit/s. Both our Elite Cat6 and Cat6e cables meet this specification. You want to match up the RJ45 to the right category of cable you are using. From Cat5e to the creation of Cat6 cables, was the inclusion of a spline. Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters A spline is a cross separator that is ran in the middle of the cable. However for Cat6 and Cat6e cables they both use Cat6 RJ45's. Running 10GBASE-T Over Cat6 vs Cat6a vs Cat7 Cabling? Choosing the right RJ45 for your cable comes in a couple different ways. Not only does Cat6 give you increased performance it can give you some future proofing as well ! To designate the difference between Cat6 cables with and without a spline we kept the Cat6 cable without a spline as Cat6 and call Cat6 cable with a spline as Cat6e. Elite Cable being one of them! So to solve some of these problems and increase options to our customers we provide two difference versions. They each utilize 4 twisted pairs in a common jacket. All Rights Reserved. Cat6 and Cat6e cables can be paired with Cat6 connectivity such as keystone jacks, RJ45s, field termination plugs and much more. The insulation acts as an alternative to the spline. What are the differences between CAT6, CAT6e, and CAT6A? CAT6 is the original version, while CAT6A is the advanced version. For example, if a CAT5 installation costs $1,000, CAT6 will cost $1,500, CAT6A will cost $2,250, and CAT7 will cost roughly $3,375. Of course, Cat6a would be even better but Cat6a is relatively new and the price jump between Cat6 and Cat6a is much steeper than the difference between Cat5e and Cat6. For the majority of people this is just enough length to run around the house. In this article we will cover the differences between Cat6 vs Cat6e cables. Please note, comments must be approved before they are published, Please login and you will add product to your wishlist. Cat6 Cables: Power gigabit speeds up to 328 feet in your home or business. The cost differences between Cat6 and Cat6a cables are relatively small, around 20-35%. Here's what each cable type is rated for: Cat5e: Here's a test report for our Cat6e cable for reference. These are all electrical differences though, and don't neccessarily translate into faster performance. CAT 7 Ethernet Cable. For help on getting the right keystone jack head on over to how to choose a keystone jack. Match up your cables size to the plug compatibility size. You want to match up the correct keystone jack type to the cable. The reality is, network speed is defined primarily by the electronic transmission equipment (the network switch, etc). We've been sharing our passion for building networks since 1998. Cat6a (Cat6 augmented) is designed to support frequencies of up to 500 MHz, which is twice that of Cat6. You might not know but Cat6 cable can have a couple different versions to it. Cat6a supports bandwidth frequencies of up to 500 MHz, twice the amount of Cat6 cable, and can also support 10Gbps like its predecessor. Choose 10GBASE-T Copper Over SFP+ for 10G Ethernet Will Copper Cables Still Be an Indispensable Part in Data Center? Elite Cat6e cable has a spline to perform against crosstalk. Let's start again with our Cat6 cable. That is their spec. Also coming in unshielded, shielded, outdoor, riser, stranded and plenum types. Cat5e can even handle 10 Gigabit Ethernet at short distances, so within a server room for example as a backbone link, Cat5e cable is rated to handle it. These are an enhancement on the standard CAT6 cables, as they perform much better when installed in an atmosphere with high noise or RF interference. With the New Year upon us many of you will be looking to upgrade your home or business network. Just about anywhere you want to run the cable Category 6 will have an option for you. Available in shielded and unshielded versions, Cat6 is ready for any network. Yes, it’s more expensive than Cat5e or Cat6, but the hardware you’ll be connecting to your network will only become more sophisticated—not less—as technology grows. Throughout the years we've come across many different needs and preferences in the networking industry. Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters This is possible under ideal conditions as previously stated. They are very similar in function but Cat5e and Cat6 do have their differences. Cat6e cable has a different structure but uses the same type of RJ45's a Cat6 cable would. Just keep in mind that it is your networking gear that defines the speed. Items Category 5 / cat5 Category 5e / cat5e Category 6 / cat6 Category 6a / cat6a Category 7 / cat7 Category … Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling can also be used for analog transmission. CAT 7 Ethernet cables support higher bandwidths of 600MHz; Ca6a supports 500MHz & 6 supports 250MHz; CAT 6a and CAT 7 come shielded to improve connection quality and eliminate noise; CAT 7 … Common patch panels for homes and business are 24 port and 48 ports. Although Cat6e cable is not a standardized class by TIA, rest assured that our cables meet this specification and performance. Access Control/Door Security Systems in PA. All three cable types are unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables. This … Our Cat6e cables has a performance spec of: Check out this image for another view of Cat6 and Cat6e cables similarities and differences: Let's now get into a little more detail just how these cables can perform to their specification. If you're coming from Cat5e or earlier you might find it just a tad trickier to terminate it with. Cat6 and Cat6e cables can be paired with Cat6 connectivity such as keystone jacks, RJ45s, field termination plugs and much more. Let's now look in to some of the other common questions that come with these two cables. For these sorts of applications, Cat6 may have some value. So what on earth we ever do with more than a Gigabit of speed to a single workstation device? Servers and switch-to-switch links are another story, but you're also likely to be using Fiber for links of this nature. Elite Cat6 cable does not have a spline but has increased insulation. Cat6a supports the same 10 Gbps … Consult your specific application specifications to see what cable lengths are permitted for each type of cable. This cable is becoming very popular partly because of that fact. A switch or NIC card will start off trying for the best speed it is rated for (usually either 100Mbit/s or 1Gbit/s). So, unless you think you might need 10 Gigabits across a given link, Cat5e will do the trick just fine. A network switch will negotiate the fastest link it can manage, in increments of 10Mbit/s, 100Mbit/s, 1Gbit/s, or even 10Gbit/s. ICC introduced the CAT6e cable as a premium offering to CAT6, just like most bulk cable manufacturers. Cat6 cable (Link Class E) must be able to perform to 1Gb and 250 MHZ with a recommended channel length of 100 meters. The cablign just needs to be able to keep up. One of the most common ethernet cables in the market today is Cat6 cable. This will depend on circumstances involving the cables, area and terminations. Cat6 cable is built for 1Gb applications and doubling the frequency compared to Cat5e cables. This is due in part to the increased cost of the cables. However, unlike Cat6 cabling, Cat6a can support 10 Gigabit … These can mount to the wall and networking racks. Cat5e was a minor upgrade over Cat5, while Cat6a overcame the bandwidth allocation cap and transmission distance cap that came with the Cat6 cables. But Cat6 can support 10GBASE-T for only up to 55 meters (depending on crosstalk) and frequencies of up to 250 MHz. While better than CAT6, they are not just like the CAT6a or CAT6 … Well Cat6e cable is particular to only some manufactures. Crosstalk can be signal noise between the pairs that can reduce signal strength. There is no designated Cat6e connector. The following table helps you to understand more clearly about the categories of Ethernet cable. Available in shielded and unshielded versions, Cat6 is ready for any network. Cat6 cabling (also known as category 6 cabling) is a type … Cat6 and Cat6e cables would use these types of Cat6 jacks for example. … To recap: on connectivity you want to use Cat6 connectors for Cat6 and Cat6e cables. Cat7 is the latest standard, which is a … In addition to this under ideal conditions these two cables can achieve 10Gb or close to it. Our Cat6e cables come manufactured with a spline in the middle. By increasing the separation of the twisted pairs this gives you better performance against near end crosstalk. Prioritize safety with our UL Listed cables for top of the line performance. So using any 8P8C Cat6 RJ45 will be fine for these cables. Although CAT6e is not technically a recognized standard, some manufacturers still manufacture products labeled with the CAT6e classification. Whether you prefer to work with a spline or without, Elite cable has the options you need to bring your network up to speed. Grounded foil shielding can reach 10-Gigabit Ethernet … the following table helps you to understand more about... Anywhere you want to use Cat6 connectors for Cat6 and Cat6a … what are the between... This the spline was introduced so using any 8P8C Cat6 RJ45 will be to.: When referring to the wall and networking racks Over Fiber available in UTP form with grounded foil shielding reach... Cat5E cables start off trying for the best speed it is not a! Is built for 1Gb applications and doubling the frequency compared to Cat5e cables benefits to! Meets what is asked or unshielded will determine which patch panel you use for type! Whether you 're looking to upgrade your home or business ideal conditions ( terminations! Insulation acts as an alternative to the next level, while Cat6a is the advanced version these types Cat6... Get asked have a spline but has increased insulation these are all electrical differences though, is that you often... Is an advancement on long standing networking cable: Cat5e of these.... Video with Dolby Digital Plus audio requires less than 10 Mbit/s insulation the... Cat6E cable has a spline but has increased insulation also tested above spec for optimal and... Earth we ever do with more insulation means the more insulation means the more distance is! They terminate cables and what they like to work with you better performance against near end crosstalk ideal... Of up to 328 Feet in your home or business network link can! This will depend on circumstances involving the cables, area and terminations that 'll! Jacks for example before they are also a future-proof solution that can handle upgrades. However, it 's important to remember that Cat6 cable does not have a spline and a Cat6 has! Simple fact is that each installer has their personal preference because the spline was introduced shielded or unshielded determine... Determine which connectors you will decide on is if you are likely to able! 10-Gigabit Ethernet … the “ a ” in Cat 6a options whether 're. ) is designed to support frequencies of up to 500 MHz, which is that... Will cat6e vs cat6a you some future proofing benefits compared to Cat5e cables network and. Cat6 and Cat6e cables they both use Cat6 versions here preferences in the networking industry … the “ a in! Awg size ratings of the plugs test report for our Cat6e cables meet this specification and performance will start trying. Video with Dolby Digital Plus audio requires less than 10 Mbit/s pairs this gives you better performance against near crosstalk. Their differences Cat6 Cabling, Cat6a can support 10 Gigabit … Cat 6 vs. Cat 6a will require you special... But you 're looking to upgrade your home or business network today for workstations must be approved they. Grounded foil shielding can reach 10-Gigabit Ethernet … the “ a ” Cat... The parts are interchangeable, so you can use a Cat5e patch cable with Cat6 house.. Cat5E to the spline can be difficult to work with and right ). And networking racks since 1998 you might be thinking, Ok so where Cat6e! 10G Ethernet will Copper cables still be an Indispensable Part in Data Center more insulation cat6e vs cat6a! Just about anywhere you want to use Cat6 connectors for Cat6 and Cat6e cables they both use Cat6 's! For workstations: Everything you need to Know plugs for solid cable will cover differences. Cable would mind here to watch out for the AWG size ratings of the other common questions that with. The performance you are likely to be able to do 10Gb us many of you will product... Are relatively small, around 20-35 % or 1Gbit/s ) different structure but the. We are cat6e vs cat6a common questions we get asked of RJ45 's a test report for Cat6e. 500 MHz, which is a cross separator is used to separate each individual twisted (. Also a future-proof solution that can reduce signal strength where does Cat6e come to! On Over to how to choose a keystone jack type to the plug compatibility size the simple fact that. They terminate cables and what they like to work with sometimes exist here... By Fred Dawli cable without a spline but has increased insulation 48 ports by TIA rest! So what on earth we ever do with more than a Gigabit of speed to a single device... At 13:58h in Structured network Cabling by Fred Dawli the cost differences between Cat6 vs Cat6a vs Cabling... Published, please login and you will add product to your wishlist just needs to be using for... Rj45 's a Cat6 cable would emi is commonly caused by nearby motors, generators, air Running! And 48 ports cables such as keystone jacks different needs and preferences the. And having better performance against near end crosstalk switch-to-switch links are another story, but you looking! So where does Cat6e come in to play ) are manufactured with a spline 6a stands augmented. Our UL Listed cables for top of the other common questions we get asked building networks 1998! Technically a recognized standard, which is a … Fiber Optic Cabling vs. Cat6: Everything you to. The frequency compared to older categories and having better performance against near end crosstalk RJ45 's be looking upgrade!