Side-by-Side Comparison
Ethernet Cables
Cat 5 vs. Cat 8.2
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 13 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Cat 5
Cat 8.2
Category 5 (Cat 5) is a legacy twisted-pair copper cable standard defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A. Rated for frequencies up to 100 MHz, it was the foundational medium for 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) over distances up to 100 meters, utilizing two of its four twisted pairs.
Category 8.2 (Cat 8.2) is an ISO/IEC 11801-1 Class II cable standard operating at 2000 MHz (2 GHz). Engineered for 25GBASE-T and 40GBASE-T over 30-meter channels, it uses non-RJ45 connectors (TERA, ARJ45, GG45) derived from Cat 7a Class F_A hardware, offering superior internal crosstalk margins.
Specification Comparison Table
13 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Frequency Bandwidth
|
100 MHz | 2000 MHz |
|
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
|
100 Mbps | 40 Gbps |
|
Max Channel Length
|
100 m | 30 m |
|
Channel Classification
|
ISO/IEC 11801 Class D | ISO/IEC 11801-1 Class II |
|
Wire Pairs
|
4 pairs | — |
|
Active Pairs (100BASE-TX)
|
2 pairs | — |
|
Standard Connector
|
8P8C (RJ45) | — |
|
Typical Shielding
|
U/UTP (Unshielded) | — |
|
Supported Physical Layers
|
— | 25GBASE-T / 40GBASE-T |
|
Permanent Link Max Length
|
— | 24 m |
|
Standard Connectors
|
— | TERA (IEC 61076-3-104), GG45 / ARJ45 (IEC 60603-7-71) |
|
Shielding Requirement
|
— | S/FTP or F/FTP (strictly shielded) |
|
RJ45 Backward Compatibility
|
— | Requires hybrid patch cords / adapters |