topic Re: Cat5e or Cat6 in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

Cat5e or Cat6

neilb2 — Wed, 22 May 2024 12:47:50 GMT

I've just upgraded to full fibre with an existing Plusnet 2 router. It originally came with a Cat5E cable, for use with regular broadband, but the installer says he mainly sees Cat6. I need to buy a new 10m cable. Any advice on which one I should get? Thanks!

Re: Cat5e or Cat6

bmc — Wed, 22 May 2024 12:52:41 GMT

@neilb2

They are both rated at the same speed. Cat5e is more flexible. Cat6 has more sheilding and is more a business cable where significant amounts of data are being handled.

Capacity wise think of a dual carriageway against a moterway.

Brian

Re: Cat5e or Cat6

neilb2 — Wed, 22 May 2024 13:01:49 GMT

Thanks, Brian!

Re: Cat5e or Cat6

bmc — Wed, 22 May 2024 13:07:41 GMT

@neilb2

I should have added to make certain you get a good quality solid copper core cable. Buying cheap ones is not recomended.

Brian

Re: Cat5e or Cat6

HPsauce — Wed, 22 May 2024 13:17:27 GMT

@neilb2 Don't waste your money on Cat6 you'll gain nothing whatsoever , Cat5e is fine up to 1Gbps, especially in a domestic setting. 👍 Stick with what you have and save time, effort and money.

Re: Cat5e or Cat6

RichardB — Wed, 22 May 2024 14:52:35 GMT

Patch leads between PCs and switches are usually stranded copper, so the cores can withstand repeated movement without fracturing.

Fixed infrastructure cables between sockets fixed to walls should be solid copper.

Re: Cat5e or Cat6

bmc — Wed, 22 May 2024 14:57:21 GMT

@RichardB

I was thinking of cheap cables that use steel or aluminium for the core with a copper plating. Pure copper cables, whether stranded or solid, are better.

Brian

Re: Cat5e or Cat6

RichardB — Wed, 22 May 2024 15:27:25 GMT

Indeed Copper Covered Aluminium (CCA) Ethernet cables should be avoided.

Re: Cat5e or Cat6

bmc — Wed, 22 May 2024 15:37:23 GMT

@RichardB

And CCS - Copper Covered Steel

Brian

Re: Cat5e or Cat6

nicwigan — Thu, 23 May 2024 10:07:07 GMT

To second this I am using Cat5e in 1Gb switches perfectly. I terminate my own cables I bought a 305m box so I can feed through small holes for the wired elements of my network. I have some approaching 20m in length still solid at 1Gb. I have modern switches, older switches may be more fussy.

Re: Cat5e or Cat6

dvorak — Thu, 23 May 2024 11:57:43 GMT

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Full Fibre to Tech Help