Cat 5 vs. Cat 6 vs. Cat 7 vs. Cat 8 Ethernet network cable comparison

"Beware of marketing schemes that tell you to pay extra for over-priced cable you might not even need," exhorts AV solutions cable and connectivity designer supplier Sewell Direct.

"Beware of marketing schemes that tell you to pay extra for over-priced cable you might not even need," exhorts Sewell Direct, a designer and supplier of network cable and connectivity for the AV solutions market. The company has produced the following video with the intent to educate its customers on how to choose appropriate network cables vis a via an illustrated Cat5 vs Cat6 vs Cat7 vs Cat8 Ethernet media comparison. "Learn what the differences are between each Category of network cable and decide what you really need based on the specs and limitations of each cable," advises the company.

[Ed. Note -- This video mentions copper-clad aluminum (CCA) cable as among the range of available options for Category 5e and Category 6 media. CablingInstall.com would like to emphasize that, per the guidance of the Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA), copper clad aluminum conductors as found in Cat 5e and Cat 6 cables violate UL, TIA and NEC standards, and should NEVER be used.]

See Also: CCCA, CDA warn against copper-clad aluminum cables

Case study: One installer's schooling in counterfeit cabling infrastructure

Potential liabilities of copper-clad aluminum cable manufacture, installation

Copper-clad aluminum conductors the latest counterfeiting ploy

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