CAT5 VS CAT5e Connectors

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 Question by MIKE CAMPBELL posted 06 Jun 2006
 CAT5 VS CAT5e Connectors
What is the difference betweeen CAT5 and CAT5e connectors?
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 Answer by Joseph Golan posted 06 Jun 2006
Dear MIKE,
In reality, very little. Category 5e was established to allow Gigabit Ethernet while category 5 is limited to 100BaseT, even though it was envisioned to run 1000BaseT before the standard was fully established. It's just a little tighter spec that takes into account Return Loss as well Power Sum properties of the cable system.

Category 5 standards have been deleted in the standards and are now a footnote. If you have a category 5 plant you could attempt to test it to category 5e standards using a Type II or better tester, about 75% of the old category 5 plants do pass category 5e testing standards in my experience.


Sincerely,
Joseph Golan, RCDD

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