Category 5 cable, commonly referred to as cat 5, is a twisted pair
cable for carrying signals. This type of cable is used in structured
cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet. The cable is suitable
for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), and 1000BASE-T (Gigabit
Ethernet). Cat 5 is also used to carry other signals such as telephony
and video. Most Category 5 cables are unshielded, relying on the twisted
pair design for noise rejection. Some, however, are shielded. Category 5
has been superseded by the Category 5e specification structured cabling
for computer networks such as Ethernet, and is also used to carry many
other signals such as basic voice services, token ring, and ATM (at up
to 155 Mbit/s, over short distances).
The specification for Category 5 cable was defined in
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A, with clarification in TSB-95. These documents
specified performance characteristics and test requirements for
frequencies of up to 100 MHz.
Category 5 cable includes twisted pairs in a single cable jacket.
This use of balanced lines helps preserve a high signal-to-noise ratio
despite interference from both external sources and other pairs (this
latter form of interference is called crosstalk). It is most commonly
used for 100 Mbit/s networks, such as 100BASE-TX Ethernet, although IEEE
802.3ab defines standards for 1000BASE-T – Gigabit Ethernet over
category 5 cable. Each of the four pairs in a Cat 5 cable has a
differing precise number of twists per meter based on prime numbers to
minimize crosstalk between the pairs. On average there are 6 twists per 5
centimeters. The pairs are made from 24 gauge (AWG) copper wires within
the cables.
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