Structured networking wiring is what allows you to connect devices like computers, servers, and switches. It also lets you share Internet access with everyone on the network.”
Twisted pair cabling has eight individual wires that are paired together in sets of two. These pairs of wire are twisted to cancel out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other wires and from outside sources.
Cat 1
The oldest category of network cable, CAT 1 is an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) wire that supports speeds up to 1 Gbps at lengths of 100 meters. It’s ideal for basic, low-data applications that don’t require high power or long range.
Conductor gauge isn’t the only factor in Ethernet cable performance, however; shielding and twist rate also play a role. Twisted pairs help reduce interference from nearby electrical wires and equipment by swapping their positions on the cable every few poles to cancel out distortion.
Cat 1 excels in power efficiency, making it ideal for battery-powered devices and remote deployments. Its simpler design also translates to lower module and service costs than higher-performance Cat 4 cabling. However, if you anticipate future needs for faster data rates or broader network compatibility, consider upgrading to Cat 4. You’ll enjoy the added benefits of increased bandwidth and reduced latency.
Cat 2
Category 2 is a type of UTP network cabling that used to support voice and data communications. It consists of four wires and supports a maximum data transmission rate of 4 Mbps. It was once commonly installed as premise wiring but is not recommended for modern networking needs.
The wires in a Cat 2 cable aren’t necessarily paired or twisted, which makes them susceptible to interference. The cable must be shielded when it’s run in close proximity to power lines or large electrical equipment.
Ethernet standards specify how the wires transmit data frames by sending alternating 1’s and 0’s across each pair. This data is then interpreted by the receiver. The standard governing the physical connector on either end is called Registered Jack standard number 45 or RJ45.
Cat 3
Category 3 wire, sometimes called station wire, is an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable designed to efficiently carry data for telecommunication systems and computer networks. During its heyday in the 1990s, Cat 3 cables were widely used to implement two-line telephone systems and 10BASE-T Ethernet networks. It can support data transmission rates up to 10 Mbps, with a maximum bandwidth of 16 MHz.
While this is still an acceptable choice for many home networking projects, higher-grade cabling options such as Cat 5e or Cat 6 are preferable in most situations. These cables have improved resistance to crosstalk and other interference, which can help deliver high-speed network connections. In addition, they’re typically easier to work with than older types of Ethernet cabling. They can also handle multiple streams of audio and video content without reducing transmission speeds or adding latency.
Cat 4
Despite the different wire standards, Cat 4, 5 and 5e all share similar features. They are all twisted pairs, each pair consisting of two wires that are paired and then twisted together. This pairing helps reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic interference.
These wires are rated for a specific frequency (data rate). This frequency determines how many 1s and 0s the cable can transmit.
In order to communicate in a full duplex fashion, the transmit and receive pairs are switched internally within each Network Interface Card (NIC). This allows data to be sent over pair 2 while receiving on pair 3. Cat 4 cabling was able to support up to 16 Mbps of Ethernet and was used in Token Ring networks at the time. However, the faster Ethernet standards eventually overshadowed this cabling standard.
Cat 5
This unshielded twisted pair cable is the standard for most networks. It can support 10-Mbps equipment and 100-Mbps Fast Ethernet and is designed to handle most networking requirements.
It can also carry voice and video signals and has lower electromagnetic interference (EMI) than other wires. EMI occurs when electromagnetic signals from external devices like fluorescent lights, motors or microwaves interfere with data signals in cables and cause them to degrade over time.
This cable can be purchased in stranded form for use in patch cords and solid conductor form for installing in walls. Solid conductor cables are a good option for long runs as they provide more shielding than their stranded counterparts. When connecting or disconnecting a Cat 5 cable, always pull by the connector to avoid pulling the wires out of the connector.