Cat.6a and fibre optic data cabling

Data cabling is a method of connecting multiple devices within an IT network. These devices can range from computers, CCTV cameras and servers to Wi-Fi access points. The infrastructure utilises two data cable types of copper, and fibre with a number of different grades that can provide different results.

The main differences between Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, and Cat 7 copper cables relate to their performance specifications, including maximum data rates, frequency, and shielding. Here’s a breakdown of each category:

Cat 5 (Category 5)

• Maximum Data Rate: 100 Mbps (up to 100 meters)
• Frequency: 100 MHz
• Usage: Standard Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
• Shielding: Usually unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
• Applications: Basic networking for home and small office setups

Cat 5e (Category 5 Enhanced)

• Maximum Data Rate: 1 Gbps (up to 100 meters)
• Frequency: 100 MHz
• Usage: Gigabit Ethernet
• Shielding: Usually unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
• Applications: Improved performance for Gigabit Ethernet, reduced crosstalk compared to Cat 5

Cat 6 (Category 6)

• Maximum Data Rate: 1 Gbps (up to 100 meters), 10 Gbps (up to 55 meters)
• Frequency: 250 MHz
• Usage: Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet (shorter distances)
• Shielding: Available in unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP)
• Applications: High-speed networks, suitable for both residential and commercial use with higher performance needs

Cat 6a (Category 6 Augmented)

• Maximum Data Rate: 10 Gbps (up to 100 meters)
• Frequency: 500 MHz
• Usage: 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• Shielding: Typically shielded twisted pair (STP), but unshielded twisted pair (UTP) versions exist
• Applications: High-performance commercial networks, data centers, and environments requiring stable high-speed connections over longer distances

Cat 7 (Category 7)

• Maximum Data Rate: 10 Gbps (up to 100 meters), potential for higher speeds in future standards
• Frequency: 600 MHz
• Usage: 10 Gigabit Ethernet, higher speeds in future applications
• Shielding: Always shielded twisted pair (STP) with individual shielding for each pair and an overall shield
• Applications: Highly sensitive data environments, industrial applications, and networks requiring strict crosstalk and EMI (electromagnetic interference) reduction

Summary

• Performance: Increases from Cat 5 to Cat 7, with higher data rates and frequencies.
• Shielding: Cat 6a and Cat 7 typically offer better shielding than Cat 5 and Cat 5e, reducing interference and crosstalk.
• Usage: Cat 5 and Cat 5e are sufficient for basic networking needs, while Cat 6, Cat 6a, and Cat 7 are geared towards environments requiring higher speeds and better performance.

Our technical experts in data cabling for business will discuss your requirements and consider the servers and equipment and your available space so we can evaluate what you need now and in the future. They will also assess your environment to ensure security, power, and cooling is appropriate and consider any impact of noise pollution which can come from the cabinet.

We see no harm in you installing long patch leads, however, we recommend that you avoid installing structured cabling. You will not have the appropriate tools, training, or testers. A trained professional will be able to install it quickly and safely, leaving you free to do your day-to-day tasks with a data cabled network that is much less likely to encounter problems or worse, failures.

Consider whether your electrician has invested in training and testers and can provide you with a 25-year system warranty, along with certified results of the data cabling installation. If that’s not the case, then no, don’t let them install your data network cabling – get in touch; easyNetworks are here to help.

Most of our office installations are based on Cat.6. We use Cat.6a for data centres or feeding Wireless Access Points (WAPs) where they demand higher power.

This will depend on the distance between your cabinets and the speeds at which you wish to operate. If Gigabit links are okay and your cabinets are within 90m, then we feel Cat.5e or Cat.6 is sufficient.

We generally recommend optical fibre for this application. Optical fibre is electrically isolated and ideally suited for running overhead or underground while avoiding lightning-related issues. Additionally, optical fibre can maintain higher speeds over further distances. Additionally, optical fibre can maintain higher speeds over further distances.

All our products come with 25-year warranty which each manufacturer backs, so you can be sure we only supply quality products designed to last.

Excel is our most economical option; quality is good and their range is extensive making it suitable for most environments and applications. Excel is now the most widely installed system in the UK.

Hellerman-Tyton is a favourite in the public sector, well known for its robustness and resilience. Particularly popular in Education and Health where the sockets need to be extra tough. Brand-Rex also falls within this category.

Commscope is considered the best. They have extensive reach across the globe and are often the vendor of choice for blue chips and global organisations. Also, a favourite for data centres where the best is vital.

Commscope is well known for its investment in R&D, which has led them to have the smallest diameter Cat.6A cable, which reduces containment sizing and weight for floor loads.

When “flood wiring” a building, 2 ports are generally installed per desk, whilst ensuring there are plenty of spares for other network devices, such as printers, franking machines, Internet radio player, etc.

However, with VoIP based telephone systems, only a single port is required per desk to connect both the PC and telephone. This can represent a significant saving in the cost of your data cabling, which would justify the upgrade to a VoIP telephone system.

Also consider installing data cables for CCTV cameras, wireless access points, access control systems, displays & projectors, cashless catering etc.

Cat5e and Cat6 are twisted pair cables that use copper wires. The specification for Cat6 is more stringent specifications for crosstalk and system noise, and provides performance of up to 250MHz whereas Cat5e performs up to 100MHz. Cat6 is generally the better choice, especially if you want to future-proof your network. Even if your network can’t support above Gigabit speeds now, it may in the future.

OM1 and OM2 are the both early types of multimode cable and support a data rate of 1GB at 850nm usually used for short distances. OM1 has a core size of 62.5 um and is capable of distances up to 300 meters while OM2 has a core size of 50um and can travel up to 600 meters.

OM3 and OM4 share many features including a core size of 50um, and a data rate of 10GB at 850nm. OM3 is capable of covering distances up to 300 meters and is able to run 40GB or 100Gb up to 100 meters. OM4 can cover distances up to 550 meters and run 100Gb up to 150 meters. This has become the most commonly used for high speed networks.