Network cables all look alike, but the category printed on the jacket (Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6a) determines how fast and how far they can carry data. Choosing the right one saves money now and avoids rewiring later. Here’s what the categories mean and how to pick the right cable for each job.
The quick comparison
| Category | Typical max speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cat5e | 1 Gigabit (up to 100 m) | Existing installs, basic desk and home connections |
| Cat6 | 1 Gigabit at 100 m; 10 Gigabit over shorter runs (about 55 m) | New office and home wiring, PoE devices, access points |
| Cat6a | 10 Gigabit up to 100 m | Server rooms, high-speed uplinks, future-proof installs |
For most small businesses, Cat6 is the practical sweet spot: inexpensive, easy to work with, and fast enough for today’s networks. Choose Cat6a for links between switches and servers or anywhere you expect to need 10-Gigabit speeds over long runs.
Solid vs. stranded cable
- Solid conductor cable, sold in bulk boxes such as the Belkin 1000ft Cat6 box, is for permanent runs inside walls and ceilings. It’s terminated on wall jacks and patch panels.
- Stranded cable is used for patch cables, the short cords between a wall jack and a computer or between a patch panel and a switch. It’s more flexible and handles repeated bending.
Using solid cable for patch cords is a common mistake. It can break inside after repeated flexing and cause intermittent problems.
Shielded (STP) vs. unshielded (UTP)
Most offices use unshielded cable (UTP). Shielded cable (STP) adds foil or braid to protect against electrical interference, which is useful near motors, fluorescent ballasts, heavy machinery or high-power electrical lines. For shielding to work, it must be properly grounded with shielded jacks and panels. Otherwise, UTP is simpler and cheaper.
Snagless boots and slim cables
- Snagless boots protect the plastic clip on the connector from snapping off when you pull cables through tight spaces. Choose them for patch cables, such as the C2G 50ft Cat6 snagless cable.
- Slim cables, like the C2G slim Cat6, have a thinner diameter that makes crowded racks and desks easier to manage and helps airflow. They’re best for shorter patch runs.
The 100-meter rule
Standard Ethernet over copper supports a total channel length of 100 meters (328 feet), which includes the in-wall run plus patch cables at both ends. For longer distances, such as between buildings, use fiber with media converters or switches that have fiber (SFP) ports.
Plenum vs. riser ratings
Cable run through air-handling spaces, like some drop ceilings used for HVAC return air, usually must be plenum-rated (CMP). Cable run vertically between floors typically needs a riser rating (CMR). Building and fire codes vary, so check local requirements before buying bulk cable.
Power over Ethernet and cable choice
PoE sends power through the same cable to devices like access points, cameras and IP phones. Higher-power PoE generates more heat in cable bundles, so quality Cat6 or Cat6a with solid copper conductors is the better choice for PoE-heavy installs. Avoid copper-clad aluminum (CCA) cable entirely. It doesn’t meet standards and performs poorly with PoE.
Tools and finishing touches
- A crimper with a built-in tester, such as the Tripp Lite crimper and tester, lets you make and verify custom-length patch cables.
- Follow the same wiring standard (T568B is most common in the US) on both ends of every cable.
- Label both ends of every run and keep a simple spreadsheet of which jack goes to which patch panel port.
- Fill empty rack spaces with blank panels to improve airflow.
Our recommendations
- New office or home wiring: solid Cat6, with Cat6a for server and uplink runs.
- Patch cables: stranded, snagless Cat6, in the shortest length that reaches.
- Noisy electrical environments: shielded cable with proper grounding.
- Longer than 100 m: fiber.
Planning a cabling project? Send us your floor plan or a description and we’ll help you estimate cable, jacks and panels.