You are not sure if you should get the Cat5e or the Cat6 pure copper cable? Well, that is more common than you would think because the Pure copper Cat5e is quite a well-performing ethernet cable despite being a relatively older category. Similarly, the Cat6 cable is also an exceptional solution with data transfer speeds reaching up to 10 GBit/s over 50 meters with a 550 MHz bandwidth. If you want to know the differences between the Cat5e and the Cat6 bare copper cable, read this blog. We will deconstruct the major differences between the two and what actually matters in establishing a high-performing network.
Cat5e Cable
Let’s start off by describing the Cat5e cable. It is the enhanced variant of category 5 of twisted pair ethernet cables (more on that later). With a data transfer speed of up to 100 MBit/s over 100 meters with a 350 MHz bandwidth capacity, this cable is used in a variety of applications in commercial buildings such as hotels, schools, apartment buildings, etc.
This is produced in multiple varieties. The most common one is the Cat5e pure copper. It is distinguished by its 100% pure copper conductors which are absolutely critical in efficient data transfer as well as in maintaining low EMI levels.
Cat6 Pure Copper
Cat6 pure copper cable is the successor of the 5e. It has a 1 GBIt/s data transfer speed with a 550 MHz bandwidth capacity. The cable is designed to be highly efficient at transmitting data over long distances. That is why it is used very commonly in LAN networking applications. Arguably, it is one of the most widely used pure copper ethernet cables in the industry.
In addition to that, this cable is available in more variants as compared to the Cat5e 1000ft bare copper cable. If you cannot find the right cable for your needs, this cable will perhaps offer you the right specifications.
Category Difference
The main difference between the Cat5e and 6 cables is their categories. All twisted pair ethernet cables are identified by their category such as categories 5, 6, 7, and 8. And both of these cables fall under different categories which is why both have different specifications.
More on their specifications in the next part.
Performance Difference
The differences in performance of both cables are quite significant. Cat 5e bulk cables can transmit data at up to 1 GBit/s over 50 meters whereas Cat6 can transmit data at the same speed over 100 meters. Moreover, you can achieve 10 Gigabit data transfer speeds over 50 meters which is not possible on the 5e cables.
One thing is common in both of them which is that both can be used for PoE applications. Because pure copper conductors are integrated into both cables, you can use both of them for PoE purposes without worrying about safety hazards.
‘Enhanced’ Defined
‘Enhanced’ in the 1000ft Cat5e refers to all the features that are an improvement over its predecessor. In this cable, the twists in the conductor pairs are tighter which results in better resistance against interference.
Moreover, its 24 AWG pure copper conductors are ideal for both low voltage and high voltage use such as power over ethernet. These are some of the ‘enhanced’ specifications that were not present in its previous generation.
Wire Separator/ Spline
The Cat5e cable lacks one important feature. That is the wire separator that is present in the Cat6 cable. Also known as spline, the wire separator keeps the conductor pairs from coming into contact which can be disastrous for the smooth performance of the cable.
By keeping the conductor pair separate, the spline not only makes the Cat6 cable better performing but also easier to install. In any case, the key benefit of the wire separator is keeping the internal and external crosstalk at a bare minimum level.
Tighter Twisted Pairs
We discussed earlier that the 1000ft Cat5e pure copper cable has more tightly twisted conductor pairs as compared to its predecessor. And that it results in better performance of the cable. Similarly, Cat6 has even more tightly twisted conductor pairs. It has more twists per unit length on the conductors as compared to the Cat5e which consequently ensures far better performance.
Which One Should You Get?
Well, at this point, most people would consider the Cat6 cable better as compared to the Cat5e. While that is true in itself, you do not have to necessarily get the Cat6 cable for all kinds of uses. Both cables have their own unique uses and you should get the one that suits you best.
Now, which one is the best for your needs? That is the important question. If you have a network with relatively fewer users and small-scale application usage, you should get the Cat5e cables.
For commercial networks, a pure copper Cat6 would be more practical. Given the need for the high-performance applications that business/commercial LAN networks use.
Conclusion
To put it simply, pure copper Cat5e and Cat6 are two different ethernet cables that have their own unique features and use. Both of them are available for plenums and risers, but both are also designed differently which results in varied costs and installation techniques. We hope this blog helped you understand the subtle yet important differences between the 1000ft Cat5e and Cat6 pure copper cables.
