As a network infrastructure specialist with over a decade of experience, I‘ve seen firsthand how confusing Ethernet cable specifics can be. Manufacturers continually introduce new standards like Cat 7, Cat 8, OM5 fiber – it‘s an alphabet soup!
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll decode it all for you, outlining the 12 predominant Ethernet cable varieties on the market today. You‘ll learn what sets each type apart, their particular capabilities, ideal use cases, and relative cost. My goal is to demystify cable terminology so you can make informed decisions about purchasing and deploying the cables that best meet your needs. I‘ll even tackle some common questions about mixing cable types, maximum speeds, and interference at the end. Let‘s dive in!
Ethernet Cable Type Overview
The cables described fall into three broad categories:
Twisted Pair – Affordable copper wiring that transmits data via electricity. Different categories handle varying speeds/distances.
Fiber Optic – Blazing fast fiber lines that relay data through light waves over great lengths.
Coaxial – Copper core coax cables with outer shielding well-suited for audio/video signals.
Now let‘s explore the key varieties and specs you need to know within each category.
Twisted Pair Cable Capabilities
Twisted pair makes up about 80% of all installed premise cabling today, finding a home in all types of networks thanks to its balance of speed, versatility and cost-effectiveness. However, not all twisted pair cables were created equal…
Category 5 (Cat 5)
- Max Speed: 100 Mbps
- Typical Use: Obsolete – Only for old legacy networks
- Susceptible to Crosstalk/EMI/RFI Interference
- Approx Cost: $.05/ft
As the first generation of twisted pair cabling for Ethernet, Cat 5 is practically extinct in modern networks given its low 100 Mbps capacity. Save Cat 5 for that old 100BASE-T phone in your drawer – it can still handle non-critical connections in legacy infrastructures.
Category 5e (Cat 5e)
- Max Speed: 1 Gbps
- Typical Use: Basic Home/Office Networks
- Improved Crosstalk/Interference Rejection
- Approx Cost: $.15/ft
Cat 5e enhanced specifications for reduced crosstalk and electromagnetic noise infiltration make it suitable for typical small business and household LANs not demanding cutting edge speed. Still useful for cost-conscious deployments.
Category 6 (Cat 6)
- Max Speed: 10 Gbps
- Typical Use: Enterprise Networks
- Tighter Wire Twists & Inner Noise Barrier
- Approx Cost: $.45/ft
Cat 6 sets the standard for enterprise-class cable infrastructure today, striking an optimal balance of speed, noise resilience and affordability. Supporting network traffic up to 10 gigabits per second, Cat 6 handles the needs of large corporate LANs with ease.
Category 6a (Cat 6a)
- Max Speed: 10 Gbps
- Typical Use: Data Centers
- Individual Internal Shielding
- Approx Cost: $.75/ft
Augmenting Cat 6 cable performance, Cat 6a adds an extra shield around each copper wire pair to virtually eliminate crosstalk noise issues. The premium allows properly terminated Cat 6a runs up to 328ft without signal repeaters.
Category 7 (Cat 7)
- Max Speed: 10 Gbps
- Typical Use: Specialized Networks
- Added Shielding/Grounding
- Approx Cost: $1/ft
Even stouter shielding and additional drain wires for grounding take Cat 7 to the next level for electromagnetic interference (EMI) immunity required in unique applications – think stock exchange transaction networks.
Category 8 (Cat 8)
- Max Speed: 40 Gbps
- Typical Use: Future High-Density Data Centers
- Approx Cost: $2/ft
Boasting mammoth 40 gigabit throughput higher than today‘s servers require, Cat 8 cables future-proof installs where ultra fast 40GBASE-T ports may emerge. Ideal for relentlessly growing hyperscale data centers using advanced switching hardware.
Fiber Optic Cable Advantages
Fiber optic cabling leapfrogs copper‘s limitations using light to achieve astonishing speeds and distance capabilities. Two predominant fiber choices exist:
Single Mode Fiber (SMF)
- Max Speed: 100 Gbps+
- Max Distance: 60+ miles
- Typical Use: ISP/Campus Backbones
- Approx Cost: $1/ft
With a tiny glass core transmitting a single ray of light, single mode fibers maintain immense capacity and low attenuation over dozens of miles by eliminating signal dispersion. Ideal for major backbone interfaces.
Multi Mode Fiber (MMF)
- Max Speed: 40 Gbps
- Max Distance: 2 KM
- Typical Use: LAN Links
- Approx Cost: $.50/ft
Supporting multiple light beams traveling through larger diameter cores, multi mode fiber prioritizes affordable connectivity over vast capacity and range. Perfect for Gigabit Ethernet runs up to 2 kilometers.
Coaxial Cable Applications
Known for TV/cable applications, coaxial Ethernet cables also serve specialized networking functions in harsh RF environments thanks to protective outer shielding.
RG-6
- Max Frequency: 1 GHz
- Typical Use: Video Security Networks
- Easy Installation
- Approx Cost: $0.20/ft
With standard RG-6 quad shield coax, cameras and other IP-based security devices enjoy a dedicated network pathway for streaming high def video up to distances of 150 feet.
RG-11
- Max Frequency: 3 GHz
- Typical Use: Satellite TV
- Extra Thick Core Minimizes Signal Loss
- Approx Cost: $0.30/ft
The thicker center conductor allows RG-11 coax to reliably move data at 3 GHz with minimal line loss – perfect for supporting multiple satellite receiver feeds.
RF Coaxial
- Max Frequency: Varies
- Typical Use: Specialty Wireless Networks
- Custom Shielding/Specs
- Approx Cost: $0.50-3/ft
Myriad industries demand customized RF coaxial cables to match impedance, attenuation and other parameters when deploying specialized wireless network equipment.
Cable Comparison Chart
| Cable Type | Max Speed | Max Distance | Typical Use Case | Estimated Price per Foot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat 5 | 100 Mbps | 300 ft | Legacy Networks | $0.05 |
| Cat 5e | 1 Gbps | 300 ft | Home/Small Offices | $0.15 |
| Cat 6 | 10 Gbps | 295 ft | Enterprise Networks | $0.45 |
| Cat 6a | 10 Gbps | 328 ft | Data Centers | $0.75 |
| Cat 7 | 10 Gbps | 295 ft | Specialized Networks | $1.00 |
| Cat 8 | 40 Gbps | 30 ft | Future Data Centers | $2.00 |
| Single Mode Fiber | 100 Gbps+ | 60+ miles | Backbones | $1.00 |
| Multi Mode Fiber | 40 Gbps | 2 km | LAN Links | $0.50 |
| RG-6 Coax | 1 GHz | 150 ft | Video Security | $0.20 |
| RG-11 Coax | 3 GHz | 300 ft | Satellite TV | $0.30 |
| RF Coaxial | Varies | Varies | Wireless Networks | $0.50-3 |
Expert Recommendations
With so many cable specifications floating around, choosing the right variety can feel overwhelming. Here‘s my quick take:
For most home networks, properly installed Cat 5e or Cat 6 will serve you perfectly well at a reasonable price. Cat 6 supports faster maximum network speeds that future-proof things somewhat.
In an enterprise context, always go with well-terminated Category 6 runs for any new cabling deployments. Cat 6 hits the sweet spot covering 10 gigabit connectivity at near gigabit pricing.
For specialized links between networks spanning over 30 meters, single mode fiber optic cabling makes sense to provide practically unlimited capacity.
If Ethernet cables will run alongside heavy-duty electrical equipment causing interference, RG-6 coax may be preferable for noise immunity.
I suggest avoiding the temptation to mix cable types within a single network, as everything gets bogged down to the capabilities of the weakest link. Keep cable varieties uniform end-to-end whenever feasible.
These recommendations just scratch the surface – feel free to ask me any specific questions about cables for a certain application in the comments below! I‘m always happy to share my first-hand knowledge and experience making networks work optimally. Let me know how I can help demystify your next cabling conundrum!
