Cable Categories

 

Definition: The cables (copper or fiber optic) that hard wire computer networks are categorized by the speed and quality of the information they move. Categories (CAT) 1 through 6 are based on the EIA/TIA-568-B standards. Most new wiring for LANs (Local Area Networks) is CAT5e, an improved version of CAT5.

What This Means: Mission-critical networks require CAT5 or better. A professional electrical engineer should specify the category of wiring for any new building.

 

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