COPPER CONNECTIONS Differences Between Cat6a and Cat6

Cat Ratings for Ethernet: Everything You Need To Know

Cat5e cables are still widely used today, especially in homes.

Cat5e cables have a maximum data transmission of 1 Gbps and a maximum bandwidth of 100 MHz. They’re often used in homes and some small businesses but work best in smaller areas.

Cat6 cables have a maximum data transmission of 1 Gbps and a maximum bandwidth of 250 MHz. They’re commonly used in commercial buildings and work well in small to medium-sized buildings.

Cat6a cables have a maximum data transmission of 10 Gbps and a maximum bandwidth of 500 MHz. They’re commonly used in commercial buildings.

Cat7 cables have a maximum data transmission of 100 Gbps and a maximum bandwidth of 600 MHz.

Cat7a cables have a maximum data transmission of 100 Gbps and a maximum bandwidth of 1,000 MHz.

Cat8 cables have a maximum data transmission of 40 Gbps and a maximum bandwidth of 2,000 MHz.

Cat6 vs Cat5

Almost without fail, Cat6 is better than Cat5. Cat5 is quickly becoming outdated, and devices in the future may not support Cat5 cables. If you’re trying to decide between the two, always go with Cat6.

Cat6 vs Cat6a .... Deciding between Cat6 and Cat 6a is a bit trickier. Cat6 is a good choice. It’s a flexible cable that is compatible with modern devices and network speeds. It’s also cheaper than Cat6a cable. Cat6a cable, however, is quickly becoming more prevalent and is the ultimate option if you want to future-proof your business and save money long-term.

Cat6 vs Cat7 ... If you need more bandwidth than Cat6a can offer, it makes sense to go with the more expensive Cat7 or Cat7a cable. These cables will be more expensive and more difficult to install, however.

Cat7 vs Cat8 ... While most cable categories increase data transmission and bandwidth in small increments, Cat8 makes a huge jump from its closest category, Cat7a. Most businesses won’t need Cat8 cables. They’re best for large server rooms and data centers, and they will definitely future-proof your business.

How a More Expensive Cable Can Save You Money .... Today, your devices might not be able to run at the higher speeds supported by a Cat7 cable, for example, but that might not be the case in three years. Higher cat cables are more future-proof than lower cat cables. Installing a higher cat cable today could save you money because it will prevent you from needing to reinstall and re-buy cable in a few years.

Differences Between Cat6a and Cat6 Cables

Cat6 Cabling .... Supports networks at 1 Gbps and up to 250 MHz .. Can be run up to 165 feet

Cat6a Cabling .. Supports networks at 10 Gbps and up to 500 MHz .. Can be run up to 328 feet, 99mt

Cat6a speed: Is this the right cable for me?

Cat6a’s fast data speed makes collaboration and file sharing over the Internet or on a LAN fast and easy, and its large bandwidth means there’s room to scale up the scope of the network in the future .In many cases, Cat6a is a worthwhile upgrade for many commercial networks, since it provides a major boost in data speed, reduces crosstalk, and makes future network upgrades easier and less expensive. Read this article to learn more about How Fast Is Cat6a Ethernet Cable? Is Cat6a Cabling Right for Your Business? When ultimately choosing cabling for your business, you want to find the sweet spot of performance and price, just as you do with most aspects of your business. As previously mentioned, Cat6 Ethernet cables are ideal for most businesses today because they allow your network to operate efficiently. They also set you up to work well in the future as networks continue to improve and get faster.