Question: What's the difference between Cat 5, Cat 5e and Cat 6? Can I use one in place of another?

Answer: The difference is in the bandwith ratings. Cat 5e has a higher bandwidth than Cat 5. Cat 6 has a higher rating than Cat 5e.

They all use RJ45 connectors and are usually interchangeable depending on the bandwidth requirements of your devices.

Question: What's the difference between UTP and STP? Are these cables shielded?

Answer: UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pairs.

STP stands for Shielded Twisted Pairs.

The ethernet standard uses data packet transmission and error correction. Unlike streaming data transmission, this standard simply buffers and repeats until it has a complete instruction set which compensates data transmission errors.

Since UTP was cheaper in the beginning, it generally became the standard. If you are using the cables for ethernet connections, either should work. If you are using for a stream data system like video tranmission, the shielded should be used.

Question: Can I use this cable to connect my device to a router or switch?

Can I use this cable to connect two computers (or game consoles) together?

Answer: For connecting devices to a router or switch, use the standard straight cables.

For connecting devices directly to each other, use a "Crossover" cable.

Question: Is this cable solid or stranded?

Answer: Stranded.

Question: Are these cables Power over Ethernet (POE) and Voice Over IP (VOIP) compliant.

Answer: Yes, our network cables are made to the highest standards and will support all current and emerging new technologies.

Question: Are these cables rated for in-wall, risers, plenum?

Answer: These cables are CM rated for in-wall use. They are not rated for risers or plenum.

Question: What is Plenum? Do I need it?

Answer: Plenum refers to the plenum crawl spaces found above the ceilings of commercial office building. Unless your installation is in a commercial office space, you do not need plenum. Residential applications usually do not require Plenum.

Plenum cables are designed not to produce toxic gases when they are burned. The logic behind this is that in an office building, if a fire broke out in one part of a building, people in other parts of the building may not be aware of the danger but toxic gases being circulated by the air circulation system could knock these people out.

Question: What is Plenum? Do I need it?

Answer: Plenum refers to the plenum crawl spaces found above the ceilings of commercial office building. Unless your installation is in a commercial office space, you do not need plenum. Residential applications usually do not require Plenum.

Plenum cables are designed not to produce toxic gases when they are burned. The logic behind this is that in an office building, if a fire broke out in one part of a building, people in other parts of the building may not be aware of the danger but toxic gases being circulated by the air circulation system could knock these people out.

Question: Can Cat6 and Cat6a cables be mixed/ used together?

Answer: Yes, it's fine to mix Cat6 and Cat6a, but you will only get Cat6 speeds.

Question: This cable is listed as being "bare copper", does that mean it has no cable jacket or insulation?

Answer: The "bare copper" refers to the construction of the conductors, as specified in the following reference:

Section 5.3 of TIA-568-C.2 requires compliance with ANSI/ICEA SS-90-661-2006 and ANSI/ICEA S-102-732, which both include the following: "Solid conductors shall consist of commercially pure, annealed, bare copper ..."

http://www.cablinginstall.com/index/display/article-display/4838983421/articles/cabling-installation-maintenance/news/network-cable/cat6/2011/3/CCCA-CDA-warn-against-copper-clad-aluminum-cables.html

The problem is that some manufacturer's cut costs by using Copper Clad Aluminum wire for their conductors. The aluminum has a higher resistance, which causes more heat and can thereby present a fire hazard. "Bare copper" is the term used in the National Electrical Code, Underwriters Laboratories, and the Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA). Our use of the term is intended to communicate our total compliance with their standards for Ethernet cable construction.