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In some cases, multiple signals can be carried on a single cable Cat 5 can carry two conventional telephone lines as well as 100BASE-TX in a single cable. The USOC/RJ-61 wiring standard may be used in multi-line telephone connections. Through the use of power over Ethernet (PoE), power can be carried over the cable in addition to Ethernet data.Ĭat 5 is also used to carry other signals such as telephony and video.
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1000BASE-T Ethernet connections require four wire pairs. 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet connections require two wire pairs. The cable standard provides performance of up to 100 MHz and is suitable for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), and 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet). ApplicationsĬategory 5 cable is used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet over twisted pair. Both variants are backwards compatible with category 5 and 5e cables. The improved performance of Cat 6 provides 250 MHz bandwidth and supports 10GBASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet) for distances up to 55 meters. Category 6A cable provides 500 MHz bandwidth and supports 10GBASE-T for distances up to 100 meters. The category 6 specification improves upon the category 5e specification by improving frequency response and further reducing crosstalk. The category 5e specification improves upon the category 5 specification by revising and introducing new specifications to further mitigate the amount of crosstalk. The bandwidth (100 MHz) and physical construction are the same between the two, and most Cat 5 cables actually meet Cat 5e specifications, though they are not specifically certified as such. The category 5 was deprecated in 2001 and superseded by the category 5e specification. The category and type of cable can be identified by the printing on the jacket.
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Permanent wiring used in structured cabling is solid-core. The stranded form is more flexible and withstands more bending without breaking. Patch cables are stranded. The cable is available in both stranded and solid conductor forms. These documents specify performance characteristics and test requirements for frequencies up to 100 MHz. The specification for category 5 cable was defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A, with clarification in TSB-95. The category 5 specification was deprecated in 2001 and is superseded by the category 5e specification. Most Category 5 cables are un-shielded, relying on the balanced line twisted pair design and differential signaling for noise rejection. This cable is commonly connected using punch-down blocks and modular connectors. Cat 5 is also used to carry other signals such as telephony and video. The cable standard provides performance of up to 100 MHz and is suitable for most varieties of Ethernet over twisted pair.
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Category 5 cable, commonly referred to as Cat 5, is a twisted pair cable for computer networks.
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