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Ethernet Twisted Pair Cables
Cable Types
| Cable Type | Shielding | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTP | None | Twisted wires to reduce EMI and crosstalk | Most common and basic type of cable |
| S/UTP | Foil wrapping or copper braid jacket | Twisted wires wrapped with shielding material | Reduces EMI and crosstalk more than UTP |
| STP | Foil wrapping around each twisted pair | Each pair of wires wrapped in foil for added protection | Provides better shielding than UTP |
| S/STP | Combines S and STP shielding | Twisted wires wrapped in foil, then wrapped in a shielding material | Provides highest level of protection against EMI and crosstalk |
Ethernet RJ45 Wiring
TIA/EIA 568A Wiring
| PIN | Color |
|---|---|
| 1 |  White and Green |
| 2 |  Green |
| 3 |  White and Orange |
| 4 |  Blue |
| 5 |  White and Blue |
| 6 |  Orange |
| 7 |  White and Brown |
| 8 |  Brown |
TIA/EIA 568B Wiring
| PIN | Color |
|---|---|
| 1 | White and Orange |
| 2 | Orange |
| 3 | White and Green |
| 4 | Blue |
| 5 | White and Blue |
| 6 | Green |
| 7 | White and Brown |
| 8 | Brown |
Ethernet Cable Categories
- Cable / speed recommendations do not mean that higher than specified speeds are not achievable, but rather such speed are not recommended and may not be reliably achieved.
- Clearly higher specified cable / speeds can provide performance at lower speeds that may not otherwise be indicated. For example, 10Mbps and 100Mbps can be achieve on CAT5E and up.
| CATEGORY | MHz | Data Speed | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 1 UTP | 10kHz | 1Mbps | Not recognised by TIA/EIA. Used for standard telephone (POTS) wiring or for ISDN |
| CAT 2 UTP | 1MHz | 4Mbps | Redundant, Not recognised by TIA/EIA. Used for 4Mbps token ring networks |
| CAT 3 UTP | 16MHz | 10Mbps up to 100m | Redundant |
| CAT 4 UTP | 20MHz | 16Mbps up to 100m | Redundant |
| CAT 5 UTP | 100MHz | 100Mbps up to 100m | Redundant |
| CAT 5e UTP/STP | 100MHz | 1000Mbps up to 100m | Widely installed and still available, but should not be installed anymore |
| CAT 5e UTP/STP | 100MHz | 2.5Gbps up to 100m | Widely installed and still available, but should not be installed anymore |
| CAT 5e UTP/STP | 100MHz | 5Gbps up to 33-55m | Widely installed and still available, but should not be installed anymore |
| CAT 5e UTP/STP | 100MHz | 10Gbps not recommended | Widely installed and still available, but should not be installed anymore |
| CAT 6 UTP | 250MHz | 5Gbps up to 100m | |
| CAT 6 UTP | 250MHz | 10Gbps up to 33-55m | |
| CAT 6a STP | 500MHz | 10Gbps over 100m | |
| CAT 7 STP | 600MHz | 10Gbps over 100m | |
| CAT 7a STP | 1000MHz | 10Gbps over 100m | |
| CAT 8 STP | 2000MHz | 25/40Gps up to 30m | |