What is an Ethernet category?

The term “category” refers to a cable’s design and how it handles crosstalk and signal bandwidth. The Electronic Industries Alliance created the standard, but it’s currently maintained by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). A category also signifies a cable’s generation. Each new category improves on the standard and enables better performance. For instance, a CAT 8 cable will outperform a CAT 5 cable in transfer speed under the right conditions.

Why does a cable’s megahertz matter?

Megahertz (MHz) is the rate at which a wave can change states each second. The faster the wave can change state, the quicker the data rate for a specific range. For instance, if a CAT 5 cable has a bandwidth of only 100 MHz, the signal can change between one million and 100 million times per second. A higher megahertz is better because it moves more data within a specified length. A CAT 6a cable with a 500 MHz bandwidth can move ten times more data across 328 feet than a CAT 5 cable.

What is a twisted pair?

A twisted pair is two conductors of a single circuit that are twisted together to help reduce the interference caused by other devices and equipment, like fluorescent lights and appliances. This interference can create crosstalk between the circuits, lowering the cable’s transfer speed (data rate). Ethernet cables that support up to 100 Mbps use two twisted pairs, while cables that support 1,000 Mbps or higher use four twisted pairs. All twisted pairs can have stranded or solid copper wires, depending on the target installation

Stranded vs. solid: What’s the difference?

A stranded cable includes multiple copper strands that form one wire (or conductor). This design gives an Ethernet cable more flexibility and is most often used in short patch cables. Cables with stranded wires are not meant for long runs across the floor. A solid core cable uses one copper wire per conductor. This type of Ethernet cable is designed for long distances and is less flexible than a stranded cable

What is American Wire Gauge (AWG)?

American Wire Gauge, or AWG, measures the thickness of a wire (conductor) inside a cable. Here are four popular types: 24 AWG This wire type is the largest of the four and is primarily used in solid core cables. However, they’re also used in stranded cables for high performance due to the amount of conductive copper inside. 26 AWG This wire type is mainly used in stranded cables. It’s ideal for short runs and typically ships with foil shielding wrapped around the individual pairs. 28 AWG This wire type is used primarily in stranded cables and is ideal for short runs and high flexibility. Performance drops at longer distances due to the low amount of conductive copper inside. 30 AWG This wire type is the thinnest of the four. It has similar restrictions in performance and distance as the 28 AWG type.

Shielded vs. unshielded: What’s the difference?

A shielded cable suppresses electromagnetic interference and crosstalk, while an unshielded cable does not. Cables based on CAT 6 and newer standards include shielding for better performance over older generations. Shielded cables also typically have a “drain” wire used for grounding to protect the cable against electrical surges.

What are the Ethernet connector types?

Ethernet cable connectors feature an 8-position 8-contact (8P8C) modular plug design. Each wire inside the Ethernet cable (remember, four twisted pairs) slips into each position in the connector. Here are the three types of connectors: Registered Jack 45 (RJ45) A registered jack is an interface connecting equipment to a networked device. The “45” aspect simply means there were 44 registered devices before the Ethernet connector. This connector is most commonly used on computers, routers, modems, game consoles, and other devices that support Ethernet connections. There are two wiring standards for the RJ45 connector: T-568A and T-568B. The latter is typically used for new networks while the government requires the former T-568A wiring scheme.1 etherCON RJ45 This is a ruggedized and lockable version of the RJ45 connector developed by Neutrik. It’s designed for network-enabled stage lighting, pro video, and pro audio devices. GigaGate 45 (GG45) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standardized this connector for CAT 7 and CAT 7a (along with the non-RJ TERA connector). Also known as Augmented RJ45 (ARJ45), this design moves two of the four twisted pairs to the other side of the connector, providing 12 contacts combined. A switch on the connector is activated by a compatible port that enables the cable to use its new contacts. Otherwise, the connector uses the eight standard contacts for backward compatibility. CAT 8a and CAT 8b use the standard RJ45 jack.

What is oxygen-free copper (OFC) and is it important?

Oxygen-free copper is refined copper ore that includes around 0.001% oxygen. Since raw copper has impurities, it must be refined, which introduces oxygen into the mix. Oxygen-free copper is the result of using a refinement based on copper sulfate and sulfuric acid.2 Oxygen-free copper supposedly increases conductivity in wires of over 50 feet, but it’s not noticeable at shorter lengths. The big takeaway from OFC is that you want a cable that uses pure copper, and OFC is close to that level. You have a better chance of reducing signal loss by choosing cables with OFC wires than those with copper-clad aluminum wires.

Will a new Ethernet cable automatically increase my internet speed?

A new Ethernet cable will not increase your core internet speed. It may solve speed issues related to a bad Ethernet cable, but if you pay for a 400 Mbps plan, then 400 Mbps is the maximum speed you’ll see from your internet connection.

Do my Ethernet ports support the max CAT 6a, CAT 7, and CAT 8 speeds?

Your Ethernet ports probably don’t support those maximum speeds. Mainstream desktops, laptops, modems, routers, set-top-boxes, smart TVs, and game consoles generally include at least one Gigabit Ethernet (1,000 Mbps or 1 Gbps) port. You may see Fast Ethernet ports (100 Mbps) on some budget devices to keep the cost low. Multi-Gig Ethernet ports (2.5+ Gbps) have become more common in recent years thanks to Wi-Fi 5, but Gigabit Ethernet is generally the most used wired connection in today’s devices.

Author

Kevin Parrish

Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.

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