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Network Cabling Standards

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100 m (328 ft)

100 MHz

Gigabit Ethernet in data centers and commercial buildings

Click on each cable category button to build the table

Token Ring

100 Mbps                     

Cabling Categories

100 m (328 ft) 10 Gb at 37m (121 ft)

500 MHz

250 MHz

25 Gbps/40 Gbps Core Infrastructure

10 Gbps                     

1 Gbps                     

Cat1

1 Mbps                     

Gigabit Ethernet, commercial buildings

1000 MHz

100BaseT Ethernet, residential homes

0.4 MHz

100 MHz

10 Gbps Core Infrastructure

600 MHz

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Cat5e

Cat6

For a time, unshielded twisted pair (UTP) was the most common form of wiring for voice telephone systems in homes and offices. It consisted of two insulated copper wires twisted around each other and was designed for analog voice communications.

Introduced in 2009, Cat6a is an "augmented" Category 6 cable with a bandwidth of up to 500MHz.

Cat6a

4 MHz

Cat2 cabling was capable of voice and data communications and was primarily used during the 1980's for IBM Token Ring networks.

Cat8

Cat7

4 Mbps                     

Introduced in the early 90's, Cat3 cabling had four twisted pairs and was the first to support 10BaseT Ethernet networks as well as digital voice communications. It is still found in older buildings, but its 10 Mbps data rate is considered too slow for modern networking.

Cat2

The Cat7 specification is a proprietary standard developed by a consortium of companies and is not endorsed by IEEE or TIA/EIA. While substantially similar to the performance characteristics of Cat6a, Cat7 cables feature proprietary GG45 connectors and robust shielding. 

The "Cat" in Cat5e, Cat6, etc. is short for category. Network cables are classified based on bandwidth (measured in MHz), maximum data rate (measured in megabits per second) and shielding. Bandwidth or frequency measures the rate at which a signal will cycle each second. 1 MHz is equal to 1 million cycles per second. Higher frequencies carry more 1s and 0s, allowing more bits of data to be transmitted per second. Frequency (and therefore data rate) can be increased by increasing the gauge of the conductor wires, adding more twists to the conductors, or adding shielding to each pair of conductors.

Cat7a

Local talk & telephone

Like Cat3, Cat4 cable is typically found in older buildings where the cost of complete replacement is prohibitive. It was primarily used for IBM Token Ring networks.

Cat3

Cat7a (Category 7 Augmented) is a further refinement of Cat7, capable of 40 Gigabit speeds over 50 meters and 100 Gbps up to 15 meters. The proprietary nature of the Cat7 and Cat7a standards and lack of support from IEEE and EIA has resulted in a relatively small installed based for Cat7/Cat7a.

Category         Maximum Data Rate          Bandwidth          Maximum Distance                                                       Usage

Introduced in 1995, Cat5 cable is the standard for 10BaseT and 100BaseT (Fast Ethernet) networks and can distribute data, video, and telphone signals.

Cat4

20 MHz

Cat8 cable is ideal for switch-to-switch communications in a 25GBase T or 40GBase T network. Its conductors are wrapped in foil to virtually eliminate crosstalk and enable higher data rates. The result is a heavier gauge cable that is quite rigid and can be difficult to install in tight spaces. It still uses RJ45 connectors and is backwards compatible with previous standards.

16 MHz

Cat5e is not an official designation but is used by manufacturers to describe an enhanced Cat5 cable that is capable of speeds up to 1 Gbps. The higher data rate is achieved by increasing the number of twists, making it more resistant to crosstalk. Cat5e is recommended for new sub-Gigabit network installations.

Cat5

16 Mbps                     

Telephone and modem lines

10 Mbps                     

In comparison to Cat5e, Cat6 cable provides greater bandwidth and data transfer rates. However, at shorter distances of up to 37 m (121 ft.), Cat6 is able to achieve 10 Gbps speed thanks to its improved shielding and higher bandwidth. Cat6 includes a physical separator called a "spline" between the four pairs to reduce crosstalk and foil shielding to reduce electromagnetic interference. Cat6 cabling is backward compatible with the Cat5/5e standard.

2000 MHz

10BaseT Ethernet

100BaseT Ethernet

25 Gbps (8.1) 40 Gbps (8.2)                    

Click each button to learn what conductor and cable shielding each cable type uses

Braided Shield

None

Foil Shield

Foil

Cable Shielding Types

Braiding

Outer Braided Shield/Braided Shield Twisted Pair (S/STP)

Cross Divider

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

Conductor Shielding: Cable Shielding:

Braiding & Foil

Foiled Twisted Pair (FTP)

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Cable Jacket

Outer Foil Shield/Unshielded Twisted Pair (F/UTP)

Outer Braided Shield/Unshielded Twisted Pair (S/UTP)

Outer Braided Shield/Foiled Twisted Pair (S/FTP)

Twisted Pair

Shield

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Pin 1 is always on the left. The brown wire is always on the right.

Odd numbered pins are always striped

Clip is pointed away from you

568A and B Pinouts

click here to continue

RJ45 Connector

To wire the RJ45 eight position modular plugs, use either the 568A or 568B color code scheme. Both are approved ANSI/TIA/EIA wiring standards, and there is no difference between the two wiring schemes in connectivity or performance. Eight wires twisted together in four pairs make up a cable. Twisted pairs are used because every signal needs two wires—a signal wire and a return path. Each pair is identified by color. U.S. government regulations require the use of 568A for wiring installed under federal contracts.

Pin1

24 AWG wires is suitable for long distance. Cat5e and Cat6 often use this gauge. The maximum running length of both types of cable is 100 meters (328 ft).

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26 AWG is a thin wire gauge and is a great choice for short cable running.

Wire gauge is the measurement of the diameter of the cable’s conductive wires affecting resistance and current capacity. Common gauges for network cabling include 22, 24, and 26 AWG (American Wire Gauge).  Thicker wires (lower gauge wire) have lower resistance and are suitable for longer distances and higher power applications. Thinner wires have greater flexibility.

click each button

AWG

mm

Cable Wire Gauges

22 AWG is a thick wire gauge that can carry high currents, so these wires are used in long-distance applications. CAT8 cable uses 22 AWG for high-speed network transmission.

Ethernet Cable Wire Gauge

1 inch

click here to increase twists

Twisted pair cables reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI), with the twist rate impacting signal quality. The twist rate or "pitch" is usually measured as the number of twists per inch or centimeter. Twist Rate is not specified in the IEEE or TIA category cable standards and is left to the manufacturer to decide. Cat5e typically has a twist rate of 4-5 twists per inch whereas Cat6 cables have a twist rate of 5 or more twists per inch. To further reduce crosstalk, not all conductor pairs in a cable will have the same twist rate.

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Cable Twist

Solid Core

Connects computers to network equipment for configuration.

Patch Cable

Each of the eight copper conductors are made up of multiple small-gauge wires that are would together in a helix (like a rope) making them much more flexible.

Used for direct device-to-device connections.

Flexible and can be easily routed under carpets or through tight spaces.

ConfigurationFile

Cable Types

Each of the eight conductors are made up of a single, larger-gauge wire to provide better performance over long distances (typically used in structured cabling).

Console Cable

Crossover Cable

Flat Cable

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Stranded Core

Short cables used to connect devices to a network.

General-purpose cables used in residential and commercial applications.

Riser (CMR) cables are designed for vertical runs between floors in a buiding, providing fire resistance.

In Room Patch Cable (CM)

CM/CMG

Outdoor (CMX)

Raised Floor

CMX Cable Jacket

Weather resistant cables that are designed for outdoor use, offering protection against moisture and UV exposure. CMX cable jackets are made from a treated linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).

Riser (CMR)

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Plenum (CMP) cables meet stringent fire safety standards anad are suitable for use in air ducts and plenum spaces.

Plenum (CMP)

Dropped Ceiling

Cable Jacket Rating

In Wall Vertical Runs (CMR)

Used for Gigabit Ethernet in data centers

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Cat6

Maximum Data Rate is 100 Mbps

Great Job!

Choosing a Cable

CM/CMG

Drag and drop the file system that would work best for each scenario

CMP

Suitable for use in air ducts

CMR

Cables designed for vertical runs

F/UTP

No cable shielding foil conductor shielding

Threeway Hand Shake

CMX

Gigabit Ethernet 1 Gbps

Unshielded  Twisted Pair Cable

Shielded  Twisted Pair Cable

Protects against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and ensures signal integrity

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click on each button

Considerations for indoor, outdoor, and harsh environments to ensure durability and compliance

100 m

Speed (data rate)

Impacts signal quality and network performance over long distances

150 m

Shielding

Cable Length

Environment

Determines the bandwidth and performance capabilities of the cable

100BaseT Ethernet 100 Mbps

Factors to Consider

Special Applications

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Power over Ethernet (PoE): allows network cables to carry electrical power. This means that you can use a single cable for data and power, so you are less dependent on power outlets for installations. Most systems use PoE Standard which supports devices such as meters, VOIP phones, wireless access points, and stationary cameras with up to 15.4 watts along with a PoE switch.

PoE Switch