What are ethernet cables? Their features and classifications

2.3 Solid and stranded ethernet cables

Another key difference among ethernet cables lies in their core construction, specifically in the copper conductor. Ethernet cable cores can be either solid, consisting of a single conductor, or stranded, made up of multiple intertwined copper strands. Each design possesses unique advantages and disadvantages.

Solid ethernet cables are better electrical conductors. They offer more stable and superior electrical properties over a wider frequency range, are less affected by high-frequency interference, and have lower DC resistance compared to stranded cables. In Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications, solid- Ethernet cables are the preferred choice for environments without temperature control, such as above ceilings. With lower DC resistance, less energy is lost as heat, which is a clear advantage, especially for cable lengths exceeding 4.5 meters (15 feet).

Stranded ethernet cables are more flexible than solid-core cables due to their high flexibility, making installation easier and reducing the risk of damage from bending. The flexibility of the cable depends on the number of copper strands it contains; the more strands, the more flexible the cable. However, a higher strand count increases manufacturing costs. Therefore, stranded ethernet cables are typically designed to strike a balance between flexibility and cost.

When searching for ethernet cables, users may notice that they are labeled with "Cat" followed by different numbers. "Cat" stands for "Category" and is typically accompanied by a number. Generally, the higher the number, the better the performance of the ethernet cable. Ethernet cables are categorized based on bandwidth (measured in MHz), maximum data transmission speed (measured in megabits per second), and interference resistance.

Here is a list of some common types of ethernet cables:

3.1 Cat 3 and Cat 4 ethernet cables

Cat 3 ethernet cables consist of three twisted pairs of copper wires. They were commonly used in computer networks during the 1990s, supporting 10-BaseT Ethernet networks. Cat 3 cables offer a maximum bandwidth of 16 MHz and are compatible with RJ11 or RJ12 connectors.

Cat 4 ethernet cables consist of eight copper wires twisted into four pairs. Cat 4 was the first ethernet cable to use RJ45 connectors. Its frequency can reach up to 20 MHz.

3.2 Cat 5 ethernet cables

Introduced in 1995, Cat 5 ethernet cables offer data transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps. These cables were used for 10BaseT and 100BaseT (Fast Ethernet) networks and can transmit data, video, and telephone signals over distances of up to 100 meters (328 feet).

Here are some Cat 5 ethernet cables from HELUKABEL:

• HELUKAT® 100IND CAT.5 SF/UTP PUR STATIC: This cable features flame-retardant properties and oil resistance, making it ideal for use in harsh environments.
• HELUKAT® 200S CAT.5 4C SF/UTP PUR CHAIN: Designed for use in cable chain systems, this cable can withstand extreme mechanical stresses caused by moving machine components, ensuring superior signal transmission even under the toughest conditions.
• HELUKAT® 100IND CAT.5 WK SF/UTP X-FRNC FLEX: Enhanced with cross-linked radiation technology, this cable offers excellent thermal stability and oil resistance, making it particularly suitable for demanding temperature requirements in wind turbines.
• HELUKAT® 100 CAT.5 F/UTP FRNC FLEX: Known for its outstanding performance and high reliability, this cable supports Fast Ethernet, Ethernet, ATM155, FDDI, Token Ring (4/16 Mbps), or ISDN services without any issues. Thanks to its optimized construction, the HELUKAT® 100 series can be produced quickly and is easily compatible with all standard RJ45 connectors.

3.3 Cat 5e ethernet cables

The "e" in Cat 5e stands for "enhanced," representing an improved version of Cat 5 ethernet cables. Cat 5e cables are designed to reduce crosstalk, enabling data transfer speeds of up to 1000 Mbps, commonly referred to as "Gigabit Ethernet." Although Cat 5 and Cat 5e cables appear quite similar, Cat 5e adheres to stricter IEEE standards. Due to its ability to support Gigabit speeds at an affordable cost, Cat 5e is currently the most widely used Ethernet cable.

• HELUKAT® 100S CAT.5e 1000 V SF/UTP PUR CHAIN: Specially designed for cable chain systems, this cable withstands repeated mechanical stresses caused by moving machinery. With its PUR sheath, it offers exceptional resistance to mineral oils, grease, and common lubricating coolants.
• HELUKAT® PROFInet B CAT.5e SF/UTP FRNC SHIPLINE: Designed for maritime and offshore industries, such as shipbuilding, this cable is ideal for ethernet applications. It ensures excellent transmission performance, even under the harshest conditions.
• HELUKAT® PROFInet A CAT.5e SF/UTP PE STATIC ARMOURED: Engineered for fixed installations in industrial networks, this ethernet cable ensures outstanding transmission capabilities in extreme conditions. It complies with PROFInet Type A standards and features a specialized construction with an inner PVC jacket and PE outer sheath, making it highly rodent-resistant.

Besides, HELUKABEL also supplies other types of Cat 5e ethernets cables for various applications: HELUKAT® PROFInet B CAT.5e SF/UTP PVC FESTOON (specifically designed for FESTOON), HELUKAT® 200 CAT.5e SF/UTP FRNC STATIC , HELUKABEL® EtherCAT-P100S-L CAT.5e SF/UTP PUR CHAIN …

3.4 Cat 6 ethernet cables

Cat 6 cables can support data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps and a maximum frequency of 250 MHz. While Cat 5e cables typically have about 1.5–2 twists per centimeter, Cat 6 cables are twisted more tightly, with 2 or more twists per centimeter (the exact number may vary depending on the manufacturer). Additionally, Cat 6 cables feature a thicker sheath compared to Cat 5e, ensuring full compatibility with existing Cat 5e and Cat 5 devices.

Although standard ethernet supports distances of up to 100 meters, Cat 6 cables only support distances of 37–55 meters at 10 Gbps speeds, depending on levels of crosstalk interference. The thicker sheath provides enhanced protection against Near-End Crosstalk (NEXT) and Alien Crosstalk (AXT). Despite the improved performance of Cat 6 and Cat 6a cables, many LAN networks still opt for Cat 5e due to its cost-effectiveness and support for Gigabit speeds.

Physically, Cat 6 ethernet cables have more twists per pair and include a plastic separator running through the center of the cable. This separator reduces crosstalk and enables higher speeds with greater stability. Cat 6a, a newer standard, is designed to maintain 10 Gbps speeds over the entire 100-meter length.

HELUKABEL's Cat 6 ethernet cables ensure exceptional transmission performance and can operate reliably even in the most challenging environments. Some notable products that users can consider include:

• HELUKAT® 250S CAT.6 CMG SF/UTP PVC CHAIN
• HELUKAT® 250IND CAT.6 AWM SF/UTP PVC STATIC
• HELUKAT® 250IND CAT.6 CMG SF/UTP PVC STATIC

3.6 Cat 7 ethernet cables

Cat 7 cables utilize the latest ethernet technology, supporting higher bandwidth and significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to Cat 6. Cat 7 ethernet cables can achieve speeds of up to 100 Gbps over distances of 15 meters, making them an excellent choice for directly connecting modems or routers to devices. These cables support frequencies of up to 600 MHz.

Cat 7 ethernet cables are fully shielded to minimize signal loss and are relatively stiffer than earlier generations of Ethernet cables. The shielding must be properly grounded, and Cat 7 cables require the use of special GigaGate45 (GG45) connectors.

Some notable cat 7 ethernet cables from HELUKABEL include:

• HELUKAT® 600T CAT.7 SF/FTP PUR TORSION: Certified to meet CC-Link IE Field standards, this cable features outstanding properties such as torsion resistance, abrasion resistance, tear resistance, cut resistance, wear resistance, and low adhesion. It is ideal for use in robot applications.
• HELUKAT® 1200IND CAT.7A S/FTP PUR STATIC: This Ethernet cable offers extended performance with bandwidth up to 1200 MHz. It boasts excellent resistance to mineral oils, greases, and lubricant coolants, along with microbial and hydrolysis resistance. Electrically, this cable stands out for its high redundancy and superior performance.
• HELUKAT® 1000IND CAT.7A S/FTP PUR ROBUSTFLEX: With a halogen-free PUR outer jacket, this Ethernet cable is perfectly suited for harsh industrial environments. It is compatible with standard RJ45 connectors (both industrial and office versions), as well as certain Sub-D and M12 connectors.

3.7 Cat 8 ethernet cables

CAT8 ethernet cables are the latest standard in ethernet cables. CAT8.1 was introduced in 2016 and can achieve speeds of up to 25 Gbps. CAT8.2 is designed for 40GBase-T Ethernet applications. CAT8 cables are primarily used in data centers and other professional applications.