Cat5 and Cat5e - A Real Deal

Data downloads, transferring and up-linking can now be achieved at the blink of an eye. Yes! It has really become faster with the enhanced version of the Cat5 networking cables. The Cat5e cable, blessed with a 1 gigabytes per second bandwidth, is what can be truly referred to as an IT boom.

Competition for survival in the market has increased the demand for faster outputs. And this demand has been fulfilled to the greatest extent by the technological advancements and innovations carried out in the last few decades. Especially in the field of Information Technology, we can feel the changes as we are, now, able to complete our work in hardly any time. The best mention is the invention of Cat5 cables. It is not just a bunch of wires but a lifeline in LAN connections for faster data transfers.

To elaborate on this category of cable, it is an Ethernet networking cable standard as defined by the Electronic Industries Association and Telecommunications Industry Association. Known to be the fifth generation of twisted pair Ethernet technology, Cat5 cables are the most popularly used type of twisted pair cables. This cable is comprised of four pairs of copper wires, and supports a data transfer rate of 100 megabits per second. This enables faster downloads, multiple signal dispersal, multiple transmissions and faster uploads. It is this which keeps it atop all other networking cables.

Cat5 is undoubtedly the best in the market, but it has a length limitation, unlike other cables, and runs up to only 100m. Two types of Cat5 cable are available these days. One is the solid version which is especially useful for the fixed wiring configurations found in houses, businesses, studios and broadcasting houses. On the other hand, the stranded variety is flexible and can withstand bends, making it most suitable for short distances and movable wiring. Residential needs are, therefore, best satisfied with this type of cable.

This category of cable can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes. Obviously, there are certain exceptions, such as ordinary Cat5 cables should not be used for outdoor wiring. This is because ordinary cables deteriorate quickly when exposed to extreme conditions. But there is always a solution to every problem and one can use PVC pipes or other waterproof casings to act as conduits carrying out ordinary Cat5 cables. Special exterior cable is also available, which is waterproof and recommended for outdoor usage.

This Ethernet cable has achieved further innovation and the product that we have now is the Cat5e cable. The letter 'e' here represents enhanced version of the Cat5 cable. Really enhanced it is, as one can now receive and transfer data at a 1 gigabytes per second speed transfer speed. Cat5e wiring is becoming more popular for transferring data which requires additional bandwidth, like analog videos.

Installing this cable is easy as it comes with a connector similar to a phone plug, for plugging into an Ethernet socket. The length of this category cable is same as that of the Cat5 but can be increased by joining two wires end-to-end using bridges, hubs and amplifiers. Commonly, this category wiring is found in broadcasting houses for heavy audio and video applications, but also, used in business houses dealing in huge data up-linking and downloading through the internet.

Getting these cables is an easy task, and individuals and business owners can run a quick check online to find various distributors located across the globe. These suppliers have online catalogs for you to select the best Cat5e cable out of the various Ethernet wiring available. But before booking an order, make sure the distributor you choose is the reliable one.

The author of this article is currently associated with Computer Network Accessories, Inc, a leading dealer of different computer tools. They also have an online catalog for you to find the best IT equipment at reasonable rates.