3 Best Reasons for Upgrading Your Network to Cat6a Cabling – Part 1
When you are installing or upgrading a network in your home or business, choosing the right type of Ethernet cable will be important for the success of the project. Ethernet cables are not all alike. If you require a certain level of performance, it is important to have an understanding of the capabilities of each type of cable.
Once you grasp the differences between the types, you will understand why Cat6a Ethernet cable is a great choice. Make sure to work with a licensed electrical contractor with experience in data cabling installations to get the best results.
Most Common Categories of Ethernet Cabling
The four types of cabling categories that are currently the most common in networks are listed below with their years of introduction.
- Cat5 (Category 5) – 1995
- Cat5e (Category 5, enhanced) – 2001
- Cat6 (Category 6) – 2002
- Cat6a (Category 6, augmented) – 2008
Capabilities of the Four Common Categories
Cat5 is the most common and least expensive, but it is the slowest of the four above. Although it is not rated for supporting Gigabit Ethernet, it is capable of doing so at short distances.
- Cat5e is capable of transferring data at rates of up to one Gigabit per second at 100 MHz up to a distance of 100 meters (328 feet). It minimizes crosstalk, but does not completely eliminate it.
- Cat6 is capable of transferring data at rates of up to 10 Gigabits per second at 250 MHz. However, its effective performance at its maximum rate is only 50 meters (164 feet).
- Cat6a is significantly superior to the other three and the most expensive. It is capable of transferring data at rates of up to 10 Gigabits per second at 500 MHz up to a distance of 100 meters (328 feet).
Part 2 will discuss the three best reasons for upgrading your network to Cat6a cabling.
Electrical Peace of Mind
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