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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Different CATegory of Networking Cables – A Review

While the use of wireless networking system is growing in a high pace, it does not mean that there is end of wired systems or devices. Still various organizations and firms use wired networking system in India. Even some residents also use wired networking system to run internet in their home. The point is if there is demand of wired networking technology, there is requirement of networking cables.

Usually, people use networking cables to connect one network device to other network devices. Or, they use it connect two or more computers and electronic devices in order to share printer, scanner, Xerox machine and so on. A large number of households and companies still use network cables to transfer signals from one point to another. They also utilize networking cables to connect a modem to a router, and, likewise, to connect a router to a computer’s network interface card. Major CATegories of networking cables are - CATegory 3, CATegory 5, and CATegory 6, CATegory 7, etc.

CAT3 Networking Cables

CAT3 networking cables, also called CAT3, are the first form of networking cable. Such cables are unshielded twisted pair. They have a capacity to carry 10 megabits per second (10 Mbps) of data. As the technology developed, networking cables also came in new version CATegory 5 (CAT5) cable. 


There is no wrong if we say that CAT5 networking cables the successor to the earlier CAT3. Just like the CAT3, CATegory 5 is also an unshielded twisted pair (UTP). However, it used to carry data at a higher transfer rate. Such these cabled are usually designed to support Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Base-T) standard. In most cases, they operate at a bandwidth up to 100 Mhz. Depending on requirement; they can exceed the requirements of TIA/EIA-568.C.2 and ISO/IEC 11801. You can use these cables for telephone signals and video, besides to Ethernet data.


Difference in transmission performance is the most basic factor that distinguishes CAT6 from CAT5. If CAT5 handles Gigabit Ethernet speeds, CAT6 cables are crafted to handle Gigabit Ethernet with a bandwidth of up to 250 MHz. This CATegory of cable has myriad of improvements such as better insulation and thinner wires that provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio. They are also better suited for environments.

CAT7 Networking Cables

CATegory7 cables have been popularized as class F. It is completely shielded cable. It supports speeds of up to 10 Gbps (10,000 Mbps) and bandwidths of up to 600 MHz. These cables contain a screened, shielded twisted pair (SSTP) of wires. The layers of insulation and shielding contained within them are even more extensive than that of CAT6 cables.

Where to Buy Networking cables in India


Once you decide the CATegory of cable you actually need, you can buy them online. Yes, internet is the best platform to buy networking cables. There is a plenty of online electrical stores that offer all CATegory of networking cables. So, find a popular website and buy the right kind of cables.