Recommendation Bullet Points On Whether to Install Cat5e or Cat6 Twisted Pair Cable In New Homes

When the ordinay consumer reads information about various types of cable they sometimes get lost in the haystack searching for the ole proverbial pin. Currently the discussion is focused on Cat5 vs. Cat6 cable. For the long term deliberation on fiber optic cable installations is not even discussed.

So let's limit our discussion to Cat5e and Cat6 cable. To accomplish our comparison we must take a little time and look at some specifications on each type of cable. The story begins with Cat5 cable which will support 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T network standards. It supports networks running at 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps. Cat5e is an improved version of Cat5 that introduces specifications for crosstalk. The added specifications of Cat5e enable it to support Gigabit Ethernet 1000BASE-T, or networks running at 1000 Mbps. If your mainambition is Gigabit Ethernet, Cat-5e will work out wonderfully.

The Error

Home Owners have been erroneously told that by pulling Cat6 they will then have a Gigabit Ethernet. If every single component in the network is gigabit rated, then you will pull off a gigabit network. However, 99% of the time one does not have every component in their network capable of Gigabit Ethernet speeds. It makes sense that your network will always run at the speed of your slowest device. To pull off true Gigabit Ethernet speeds, every linked component on a network must be gigabit rated. Cat5e runs near or at Gigabit speeds it just won't be "certified" for this speed. The overriding disparity between Cat5e and Cat6 cable is in the transmission performance. Cat5e can support gigabit speeds, however Cat6 is certified to handle gigabit Ethernet. In addition, Cat6 cable is better suited toward environments that have lots of interference like power lines and lights. However. all of these negatives can be overcome with careful and judicious installation techniques. If you can be certain that all the components on your network are gigabit rated, and the volume of the data being transmitted calls for certified gigabit performance, then Cat6 is the best bet.

Cat6 Wiring is a Higher Gauge

When it comes to Cat6 cable it must be recognized that it is a narrowly higher gauge than Cat5e. The reason is that because as you increase the number of twists per inch, you also increase the length of the wire. It makes sense that the longer the wire the greater the resistance in the wire. From an installation perspective one must realize that the wire jacket is a lot heavier. The cable doesn't bend as easily because the copper is a marginally heavier gauge. All that adds up to a wire narrowly harder to deal with from pulling it in the walls to stripping it and punching down the individual wires. It is common knowledge that the price of copper is at an all time high so draw your own conclusions.

The Correct Conclusion

Once you come to the same answer as ninety percent of other consumers that Cat5e cable is the least expensive, capable of gigabit speeds, and compatible with all the components that presently go into a LAN system, you will get down to figuring out how to install the overall structured wiring system.

Acceptable Plan of Action

I would like to offer my many years of experience as a Security / Low-Voltage Contractor and give you a very plausible plan of action. If you install the technology yourself you will save hundreds of dollars. To install your own structured wiring system you will first need to know precisely what componets are necessary. What specific electronics distribution panel, what telephone, data, video, and optional modules make up a successful system? What type of cables in addition to Cat5e wiring need to be installed in the walls of your home? And just as meaningful, specifically which connectors or the best from and economical and installation point of view? You are going to need a book to lead you through the process.

Installing Multiple Systems

It has been my experience that when home owners are considering one system for their new or remodeled home, they are most likely considering other technologies as well. It would be in your best interest to have installation guides on each system you would like to include in your project. Read them all then purchase your equipment, special tools, and cabling so that they are all on the job site in advance of your proposed start date.

Get Some Assistance On The Installation.

Don't even think that you will pull all the wire through the house by yourself. You will need at least one additional worker and hopefully a couple of additional set of hands. Depending on the total number of technologies being installed on a given project, it will normally take two or three people ten days to three weeks to properly install numerous technologies.

Your Grandmother Could Install The Technologies

When I say Granny could install the systems, I don't truly mean that she would be realistically pulling the cables and mounting the panels. If Granny was the one who read the installation book, purchased the equipment, and led the way, all she would need is a couple of relatives to give her a hand or she could hire a couple workers for a short period of time. After all, this is not rocket science we are talking about here, it's just systems for your home.


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You can get Glenn Bell's FREE 10 Video Mini Course on Structured Wiring and how to install electronics in homes. Glenn also provides a free eBook about structured wiring that includes Cat5 vs Cat6 cable .