Network Cables

The different categories of network cables are specified according to performance, speed and transmission capabilities. The lowest category among the commercial network cables is the Cat-5 which is capable of transmission speed of up to 100 MHz. The enhaced Cat-5e version is rated to deliver at a maximum of 350 MHz while Cat-6 and Cat-6e can handle a maximum speed between 550-1000 MHz using a gage 23 conductor as compared to gage 24 used by Cat 5 and cat-5e. Cat-6 and Cat-7 are rated for Gigabit Ethernet and although their is no approved standards as of yet, the consumers have the option to use them if they want to.