CAT5
To help develop this article, click 'Edit this article' above.
Category 5 cable (CAT5 or Cat 5) is the fifth generation of standard, twisted-pair cable used for carrying signals, typically ethernet. It provides performance of up to 100 MHz and is commonly used for wired local area networks (LANs) and can carry data, telephone communications and video. It is possible to carry multiple signals on a single cable.
The standard for CAT 5 was defined by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).
CAT5 cable usually, although not always, contains four twisted pairs of copper wire. These can be solid or stranded. Solid can be used over longer runs and is best suited to permanent wiring whereas stranded is more flexible and so is better able to withstand bending commonly encountered in temporary uses.
An enhanced specification CAT5e provides improved crosstalk and system noise characteristics. In addition newer, higher performance standards have been developed such as CAT6, CAT6a and CAT7, however CAT5 and CAT5e remain popular as they are relatively economical and provide a reasonably good standard of performance.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Bluetooth.
- Ethernet.
- Extranet.
- Building information modelling.
- Computer aided design.
- Information and communications technology.
- Common data environment.
- Computer aided manufacturing.
- Computers in building design.
- ICT and Automation (ICTA) Scoping Study Report.
- In-building wireless.
- Internet of things.
- Local area network.
- Power over ethernet.
- Smart cities.
- Smart buildings.
- Wi-Fi.
Featured articles and news
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.