Side-by-Side Comparison
Ethernet Cables
Cat 5e vs. Cat 6A
Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 13 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Cat 5e
Cat 6A
Category 5e (Cat 5e, Enhanced) is an Ethernet twisted-pair copper cable standard defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.2. Rated for frequencies up to 100 MHz, it introduced stringent electrical crosstalk specifications, enabling reliable 1000BASE-T (1 Gbps Gigabit Ethernet) transmission up to 100 meters across all four pairs.
Category 6a (Cat 6a, Augmented) is a standardized twisted-pair cable defined in ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 and ISO/IEC 11801 Class E_A. Operating at frequencies up to 500 MHz, it is the primary standard for 10GBASE-T (10 Gbps) across the full 100-meter channel distance, featuring strict Alien Crosstalk (ANEXT) suppression.
Specification Comparison Table
14 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Frequency Bandwidth
|
100 MHz | 500 MHz |
|
Standard Connector
|
8P8C (RJ45) | 8P8C (RJ45) |
|
Channel Classification
|
ISO/IEC 11801 Class D | ISO/IEC 11801 Class E_A |
|
Max Data Rate (1000BASE-T)
|
1 Gbps | — |
|
Max Multi-Gig Rate (802.3bz)
|
2.5 Gbps | — |
|
Max Channel Length
|
100 m | — |
|
Wire Pairs
|
4 pairs | — |
|
Active Pairs (1000BASE-T)
|
4 pairs | — |
|
Typical Shielding
|
U/UTP (Unshielded) or F/UTP | — |
|
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
|
— | 10 Gbps |
|
Max Channel Length (10 Gbps)
|
— | 100 m |
|
Alien Crosstalk (ANEXT) Specification
|
— | Mandatory |
|
Wire Gauge (Typical)
|
— | 23 AWG |
|
Common Shielding
|
— | F/UTP, U/FTP, or U/UTP with thick jacket |