Ethernet cable best?

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Norm - 08 Jan 2006 16:36 GMT

Is there a "best" or "better" type of ethernet cable to use in wiring a
house?

Like to make sure we use what is the current best option both in terms
of manufacturer and type.

Thanks for any tips.

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Wayne C. Morris - 08 Jan 2006 21:28 GMT

> Is there a "best" or "better" type of ethernet cable to use in wiring a
> house?
>
> Like to make sure we use what is the current best option both in terms
> of manufacturer and type.

I don't think it matters who made the cable, since the cable is tested to
guarantee it meets industry standards.

"Cat 5" (category 5) cable is rated for speeds up to 100 Mbps.

"Cat 5e" is rated for speeds up to 1000 Mbps (gigabit ethernet).

Cat 6 is also available, and might be able to support the next level of
ethernet, when they start making cards that go faster than 1000 Mbps.

The cat 5e cable I bought is also "riser" rated, which supposedly means it
can be used in vertical runs that pass through more than one floor, but I'm
not sure what the actual difference is.

These pages have some helpful info:

<http://www.lanshack.com/cat5e-tutorial.aspx>
<http://www.ertyu.org/~steven_nikkel/ethernetcables.html>

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Norm - 08 Jan 2006 23:33 GMT

snip

> The cat 5e cable I bought is also "riser" rated, which supposedly means it
> can be used in vertical runs that pass through more than one floor, but I'm
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> <http://www.lanshack.com/cat5e-tutorial.aspx>
> <http://www.ertyu.org/~steven_nikkel/ethernetcables.html>

Thanks very much for the info.

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TC - 09 Jan 2006 04:43 GMT

Riser is lower temp rated cable versus plenum which is for high temps,
as you would find if you ran the CAT5e through a hot air plenum from the
furnace.

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David C. - 13 Jan 2006 05:49 GMT

> I don't think it matters who made the cable, since the cable is tested
> to guarantee it meets industry standards.

This much is true.

> "Cat 5" (category 5) cable is rated for speeds up to 100 Mbps.
>
> "Cat 5e" is rated for speeds up to 1000 Mbps (gigabit ethernet).

The GigE specs allow ordinary Cat5 to be used, as long as it is
installed properly. This means punch-down connections, no splices
between patch panels, no more than three wire segments between wall
jacks (jack to patch panel, patch cable between panel ports, patch panel
to jack), and no more than 100m total between devices.

Cat5e is recommeded for GigE, but it should be noted that it has the
exact same 100MHz capacity as ordinary Cat5. The differences between
Cat5 and Cat5e are extremely minor.

But you probably know this already, since you posted a link to the
Lanshack page.

> Cat 6 is also available, and might be able to support the next level of
> ethernet, when they start making cards that go faster than 1000 Mbps.

Cat6's big deal is that it can handle frequencies up to 250MHz. Not
necessary for anything you're likely to have in your home, but if it
doesn't cost much extra, it doesn't hurt to use it.

> The cat 5e cable I bought is also "riser" rated, which supposedly
> means it can be used in vertical runs that pass through more than one
> floor, but I'm not sure what the actual difference is.

This has nothing to with its ability to move data. Different kinds of
Cat5 are for different applications.

For instance, you want stranded cable for patch-cables (so it won't get
damaged when flexed), but solid cable for cables mounted in walls (since
they conduct better and make better contact with punch-down
connections.)

Also, different kinds of insulation may be required, depending on local
building codes. For instance, cables in a wall will be different from
cables running inside a plenum (heating/AC duct), or from cable intended
to be buried outdoors.

-- David

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Mac Forum / General / Hardware / January 2006

Ethernet cable best?