CAT5 is the grade. The grades are cat1, cat2, cat3 and so on. It's in reference to the "tightness" of the twists of the pairs of wires inside the jacket and quality of the connection/connectors on the end.
CAT3 is required to run 10Mbps Ethernet (a.k.a. 10BaseT)
CAT5 is required to run 100Mbps Ethernet(a.k.a. 100BaseT), CAT6 is required to run 1000Mbps Ethernet (a.k.a. 1000BaseT).
Running 100BaseT on CAT6 has no advantages. It's like driving a mini van on the autobahn. Nice road, but a mini van is still a mini van.
2007-06-26 07:13:56
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answer #1
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answered by Fester Frump 7
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Wire comes in many varieties. "Cat 5e cable is an enhanced version of Cat 5 that adds specifications for far end crosstalk. It was formally defined in 2001 in the TIA/EIA-568-B standard, which no longer recognizes the original Cat 5 specification. Although 1000BASE-T was designed for use with Cat 5 cable, the tighter specifications associated with Cat 5e cable and connectors make it an excellent choice for use with 1000BASE-T. Despite the stricter performance specifications, Cat 5e cable does not enable longer cable distances for Ethernet networks: cables are still limited to a maximum of 100 m (328 ft) in length (normal practice is to limit fixed ("horizontal") cables to 90 m to allow for up to 5 m of patch cable at each end). Cat 5e cable performance characteristics and test methods are defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001."
They key is how you plan to use the wire. This is where PVC and Plenum Sheathing comes to play. Plenum is used in overhead ceilings and in walls that do not have fire protection as it does not produce toxic gases when burned as PVC does. PVC is primarily used for patch cables. Both are available at Home Depot and Lowes prices vary from $50/500ft to $50/1000 for PVC and 100/500 200/1000 for plenum
2007-06-26 07:15:57
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answer #2
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answered by etr_auctions 1
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Cat 5e cable is an enhanced version of Cat 5 that adds specifications for far end crosstalk. It was formally defined in 2001 in the TIA/EIA-568-B standard, which no longer recognizes the original Cat 5 specification. Although 1000BASE-T was designed for use with Cat 5 cable, the tighter specifications associated with Cat 5e cable and connectors make it an excellent choice for use with 1000BASE-T. Despite the stricter performance specifications, Cat 5e cable does not enable longer cable distances for Ethernet networks: cables are still limited to a maximum of 100 m (328 ft) in length (normal practice is to limit fixed ("horizontal") cables to 90 m to allow for up to 5 m of patch cable at each end). Cat 5e cable performance characteristics and test methods are defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001.
2007-06-26 07:10:05
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answer #3
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answered by Speedy 2
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cat5e is a category that the cable meets its requirements. there really is no best cat5e cable the only thing better would be cat6 and that will probably me more expensive. if this is for home use you would not see the difference between cat5, cat5e or cat6, you just would not be pushing that much info thru them.
2007-06-26 07:08:59
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answer #4
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answered by ConcernedUncle 2
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check links below
Steven
2007-06-26 07:10:28
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answer #5
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answered by steven25t 7
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