Cat 6

Cat 6, short for Category 6, is a cable standard used mainly for Ethernet computer networking, security systems, and telephone services. Cat 6 cable is backward compatible with the Cat 5, Cat 5E, and Cat 3 cable standards. Category 6 cable is capable of transmitting voice and data up to 155 Mbps (mega bits per second), with a possible transmission frequencies up to 550 MHz.

Cat 6 is used to carry Ethernet 10Base-T, 100Base-TX, and 1000Base-T (Gigabit Ethernet) connections. Cat 6 cable is backed with more stringent specifications for crosstalk and system noise than earlier cabling standards.

Category 6 cable comes with four twisted copper wire pairs and each twisted pair is built of larger 23 gauge copper. The earlier model, Category 5, used 24 gauge copper wires. In wire gauges, a larger number means a smaller wire.

Cat 6 cables are generally terminated with RJ-45 electrical connectors. The performance of the signal path will be limited to that of the lowest category if components of the various cable standards are intermixed. The maximum length of one Cat 6 cable segment is 220 meters; a repeater needs to be installed to send data over longer distances or data loss may occur.

Installing Cat 6 Cable

Installation of Cat 6 cable is thought to be more difficult than Cat 5 or Cat 5E cable. The main reason behind this is that the conductors are twisted more tightly in Cat 6 cables, which makes it more difficult to split them apart. Other than this, everything else is essentially the same as installing Cat 5 or Cat 5E cables.

Cable manufacturing companies provide jacks and panels with much sharper teeth so as to help divide the conductors into pairs and complete the installation of Cat 6 cables easily. However, while doing the installation of Cat 6 cables it is advisable to take little more time and perform the installation correctly without damaging your fingers.

Cat 5E Vs Cat 6

When comparing Cat 5E and Cat6, the main difference is in the transmission performance and extension of the available bandwidth; that is 100 MHz for Cat 5E and 200 MHz for Cat 6. This includes better insertion loss, near end crosstalk, return loss, and equal level far end crosstalk.

Due to its improved transmission performance and superior immunity from external noise, systems operating over Cat 6 cabling will have fewer errors when compared with systems operating over Cat 5E cabling. That is, systems using Cat 6 networks will have higher reliability than Cat 5E networks due to fewer re-transmissions of corrupted or lost data packets.

The Future of Cat 6

According to technical experts, the use of Cat 6 cables will supersede Cat 5E cables in the near future. The fact that Cat 6 link and channel requirements are backward compatible to Cat 5E makes it very easy for customers to select Cat 6 in their networks.