Identify Your Needs and Application
- Speed Requirements:
Your cable choice depends heavily on the speeds you expect to reach. If you have a Gigabit internet plan but use an old Cat5 cable, you will be capped at 100 Mbps.
| Category | Max Data Rate | Max Bandwidth | Best Use Case |
| Cat5e | 1 Gbps | 100 MHz | Basic home browsing, older smart TVs. |
| Cat6 | 1 Gbps (10Gbps @ <55m) | 250 MHz | Standard for modern homes and gaming. |
| Cat6a | 10 Gbps | 500 MHz | Future-proofing, high-end workstations, servers. |
| Cat7/8 | 25 Gbps – 40 Gbps | 600 – 2000 MHz | Data centers and extreme industrial needs. |
2. Distance and Environment
The physical environment dictates the “shielding” you need.
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Distance: For most cables (Cat5e to Cat6a), the maximum reliable length is 100 meters (328 feet). Beyond this, signal degradation occurs.
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Interference (EMI): If you are running cables near power lines, fluorescent lights, or heavy machinery, look for Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables. For standard home use away from power lines, Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) is usually fine.
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Outdoor vs. Indoor: If the cable is going outside or underground, you must use Direct Burial or UV-rated jackets to prevent the plastic from cracking and the copper from corroding.
3. Physical Durability and Installation
How the cable is built affects how easy it is to install:
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Solid vs. Stranded: * Solid cables are best for permanent runs inside walls; they conduct better but break if bent too much.
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Stranded cables (standard patch leads) are flexible and perfect for connecting your laptop to a wall jack.
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Plenum vs. PVC: * Plenum-rated (CMP) jackets are required by building codes for cables running through air ducts because they don’t give off toxic smoke if they catch fire.
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PVC (CM/CMR) is the standard for most other “in-wall” or “patch” applications.
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4. Power over Ethernet (PoE)
If you plan to power devices like security cameras, VoIP phones, or Wi-Fi Access Points through the network cable, you need a cable that can handle the heat. Cat6 or Cat6a with thicker copper gauges (23 AWG) is recommended for PoE+ or PoE++ applications to ensure efficiency and safety.
Summary Checklist
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For Gaming/Streaming: Cat6 is the “sweet spot” for performance and price.
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For Home Offices: Cat6a if you want to be “set for a decade.”
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For Tight Spaces: Look for “Slim” or “Flat” Ethernet cables.