Is It Time To Upgrade To CAT6 Wiring?
Is It Time to Upgrade to CAT6 Wiring?
CAT6 wiring is the new standard in Ethernet cables, used to create computer and electronics networks. But it's so new that many people are not sure if now is the time to upgrade or now. How about you? Should you abandon the old CAT5 or CAT5 for the brand-new CAT6? Let's examine the issue further. We'll take a look at CAT6 specs and see how it stacks up against its predecessors--and then after you read this guide, you can decide.
CAT6 is actually short for Category 6 (since there are several categories of cable divided into--well--categories. CAT6 is, like the others, a standard for Gigabit Ethernet which is popular because it's backwards compatible with CAT5 and 3. CAT6, though, has more severe specifications for crosstalk and system noise. Its performance is an impressive 250 MHz, making it ideal for 100BASETX / 10BASET and even 1000BASETX (or Gigabit Ethernet) 1000BASET. Furthermore, it goes well with the 10GBASET (or 10 gigabit Ethernet) standards, although there are a few restrictions on its length.
CAT6 cuts down significantly on the interference experienced in CAT5e--the interference that takes place between two unshielded twisted pair cables which run parallel to each other.
It's easy to confuse CAT6 wiring with other cables, however, there is also a way for telling the difference between it and others. Specifically, the printing found on the cable's sheath tells you if it's CAT6 or something else.
The CAT6 cable will contain four twisted copper wires. Although not a requirement, they are often made using 23 gauge wire. It can actually be made using 24 or 22 AWG wire. The main requirement is that the cable meets testing standards which have been set for it.
Many times,, CAT6 cable is used in 8P8C connectors as a patch cable (This unfortunately leads to them sometimes being referred to in error as RJ45 connectors).
There are CAT6 connectors available which are made specifically to meet certain higher standards than other similar cables meet. As a result, they are able to assist in noise reduction--decreasing the noise typically caused by crosstalk and system interference.
Some CAT6 cables are too big to connect to 8P8C connectors unless you have a specific modular piece. Complicating matters further is the fact that if you mix the different standards together, you can't always be sure that they will work correctly. Also, the performance of the signal path will most likely be reduced to the performance of the lowest category of wires.
CAT6 comes in different sizes, with the maximum size currently available being 30 feet (one hundred meters).
CAT6 cable terminates in either the T568A or T568B schemes. Each of these is straight-through, so the choice of which to use is largely according to personal preference. You can even mix the two schemes together without causing too much problem. There might be a slight degradation of quality, but nothing more than that.
Bottom line: If you want to make sure your network remains as cutting-edge as when you first put it together, or you simply know it's time for an upgrade, CAT6 wiring is a solid way to go. Granted, you could use CAT5 and still be okay--for now. But if you want something that will remain current and not be obsolete for many years to come, give some serious thought to Category 6.
