Cat5e Cable Specifications

A network cable is the physical link that connects two or more computers. A network cable allows data to be transmitted at high-speed between computers around the globe. A Cat5e network cable is the upgraded version of the Cat5 data cable. It is the same as Cat5, except that it is designed to comply with more stringent standards. Knowing the cable specifications of a Cat5e cable can help you differentiate it from other cables. 

Data Transmission Speed

The speed by which data passes through a network cable to get from one computer to another is referred to as transmission speed. The type of cable can affect the speed of data transmission. A Cat5e network cable is capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gigabit per second).

Specified Frequency Range   

Frequency refers to the number of oscillations (vibrations) in one second, and is measured in Hertz (Hz), which is the same as "oscillations per second" or "cycles per second." Cat5e network cables are tested across a specified frequency range of 1 to100 MHz bandwidth range, and a cable rated Cat5e is capable of Gigabit Ethernet. 

UTP 

UTP, or unshielded twisted pair network cable, is a four-pair, 100-ohm cable that has four inner wires surrounded by an outer jacket. Each pair is twisted together to cancel out noise that can interfere with the signal. UTP cabling systems are used primarily for data transmission in local area networks (LANs). 

Method of Termination 

Cable terminators, or connectors, are used to plug a network cable into a compatible port. A Cat5e UTP data cable is terminated using the RJ45 jack, which is an eight-conductor, compact, modular jack engineered to maintain specific Category 5, 5e, 6, or 6A performance.

Bend Radius 

Bend radius cable specification refers to the smallest radius a cable can be bent without damaging it, shortening its life or causing transmission failures. The smallest acceptable bend radius for Category 5, 5e, and 6 cable is approximately 1 inch, or four times the diameter of the cable.  

Return Loss 

Return loss, or reflection loss, is the reflection of signal power resulting from the insertion of a device in a transmission line. It is determined by the difference between the power of a transmitted signal and the power of the signal reflections caused by variations in link and channel impedance. Return loss is expressed as a ratio in dB relative to the transmitted signal power. 

Delay Skew

Delay Skew refers to the variance in time between the fastest and slowest arrival of a data signal on a UTP. Signals sent over the transmission cable are divided over multiple pairs, and should reach the other end within a certain amount of time to be re-combined correctly.  

Attenuation

Attenuation refers to signal loss over the length of a cable due to the resistance of the wire plus other resistance-causing electrical factors such as impedance and capacitance. Attenuation can be caused by factors such as poor connections, long cable length, bad insulation and a high level of crosstalk. The TIA-568B standard specifies the maximum amount of attenuation that is acceptable in a Cat5e network link to be 24 dB.