All Your Questions Answered -- Cat 5e Cable
"Basically, What Is the Main Difference between Camp 5 and Cat 5e Cable?"
If you have ever taken a look at cat 5 or cat 5e cable, you will see that it contains 4 pairs of small copper wire. In a typical cat 5 Ethernet cable installation, only two of those pairs of wires are actually used. However, when setting up a so-called "gigabit Ethernet" (1000 Mbps) network, you will use the newer cat 5 "enhanced" cable -- cat 5e, for short -- because in this type of setup you will use all four pairs of wires, not just two.
"What's the Difference between Solid and Stranded Cat 5e Cable?"
Cat 5 and cat 5e cable is typically sold in two forms -- stranded or solid. Solid cat 5e cable is generally used when setting up a network over longer distances, especially when the cables will be left in position without moving, embedded behind walls, etc. Stranded cat 5e cable is much more flexible and is the type that you want to use when you make patch cables to connect computer components, as these cords typically are moved around a lot. "I Need to Make a network Connection between Two Buildings -- Can I Run Cat 5e Cable outside?" Yes, you can run cat 5e cable outside -- with some special considerations and precautions. First of all, be aware of the fact that Ethernet cable (and that includes cat 5e cable) is only designed to be used over a maximum distance of about 327 feet (100 m). If you need to run cat 5e cable over a longer distance, you can purchase special devices to boost and repeat the electrical signals. Another thing to remember is that cat 5e cable can attract lightning if it is used outside! Even if the cable is buried, it may still be subject to a lightning strike. You can purchase cat 5e cable surge protectors for protection. If you are going to use cat 5e cable outside, you will have to enclose them in something like a PVC pipe or other type of protective sheathing -- as an alternative you can also purchase cat 5e direct-burial cables which can be placed directly into the ground. "Someone Told Me That It's Real Easy to Damage This Wire -- Is That True?" Yes, when you are handling cat 5e cable you must be careful. For example, if you must install this cable around bends in walls, make sure that your cat 5e cable is not bent too sharply. In addition, when you are installing this type of cable inside your walls, don't pull too hard on it. You also want to be careful not to crush or pinch your cat 5e cable if you have to hold it in place use special mounts -- never use staples! Here's a great tip: when installing your cat 5e network, install the longest lengths of cable first. That way, you can simply cut out the damaged section and reuse the rest of your cat 5e cable in those places where you only need a short length of cable, if you do damage any part of it. "If I Am Running Multiple Lengths of Cat 5e in the Same Section of Wall for Different Rooms, How Can I Distinguish Them?" This is a common question. The best procedure that I can recommend is to pull one length of cat 5e cable through at a time. Label -- you can use colored tape -- each end of your cable with a different color scheme. You can also write the destination room name as a label on each of your separate cat 5e cables as you pull them through. As an alternative, you can use cat 5e cable with different colored outside shield coverings to distinguish cable going into different rooms, or for hooking up to different devices.
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