Data cables are used to transmit information between different devices and systems. They are essential for network connections, telecommunications, and various electronic applications.

Cat5e: Supports up to 1 Gbps speeds and bandwidth of 100 MHz. It is suitable for most home and small business networks.

Cat6: Supports up to 10 Gbps speeds and bandwidth of 250 MHz. It provides better performance and less crosstalk compared to Cat5e.

Consider the following factors:

• Speed requirements: Choose Cat5e for up to 1 Gbps, Cat6 for up to 10 Gbps, and higher categories for future-proofing and higher performance.
• Cable length: Longer cables can affect performance. For high-speed connections, it’s better to keep cable lengths within recommended limits.
• Shielding: Shielded cables (e.g., STP, FTP) are preferable in environments with high electromagnetic interference.

For Cat5e and Cat6 cables, the maximum length is 100 meters (328 feet) for a single run. Beyond this, signal degradation can occur.

• Cat cables, or Category cables, are a type of twisted pair cable used for Ethernet and other network physical layers. They are commonly used to connect computers, servers, and other devices in a local area network (LAN).