Cat5 cable is broken into two separate categories: Cat5 and Cat5E cables. Cat5 has become obsolete in recent years, due to its limitations compared to Cat5E and Cat6 cables. Although the Cat5 cable can handle up to 10/100 Mbps at a 100MHz bandwidth (which was once considered quite efficient), the newer versions of Cat cables are significantly faster.
Cat 5 Cable
Category 5 cable is used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet over twisted pair. 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).
- Tested to 100 MHz
- Applicable to most LAN topologies, suitable for 4 and 16 Mbps UTP Token Ring Systems
- Meets and exceeds IEEE 802.3 10 BASE-T Ethernet, NEMA “Low-loss extended frequency”, EIA/TIA 568 Commercial building wiring standard.
- UL NEC CM (non-plenum) or CMP (plenum) rated, CSA PCC FT4 or FT6 rated.
