A four pair unscreened twisted pair cable for structured cabling, specified to 100 MHz and the long-standing workhorse of commercial and domestic data installations. Category 5e tightened the crosstalk and return loss requirements of the original Category 5 so that all four pairs could be driven simultaneously, which is what makes Gigabit Ethernet practical over it. Category 5 itself was deprecated in 2001 and Category 5e took its place.
Key applications
- Horizontal cabling from floor distributors to work area outlets
- 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-T Ethernet links
- IP telephony and Power over Ethernet powered devices
- IP CCTV cameras, door entry and access control over structured cabling
- Building management and control networks run over a common cabling topology
- Analogue and digital voice circuits on a shared patching system
Features and benefits
- Four twisted pairs with controlled twist rates to suppress crosstalk
- 100 ohm characteristic impedance for matched Ethernet links
- Solid conductors for fixed horizontal runs, stranded for patch cords
- Available with PVC, LSZH and other sheath compounds to suit the installation environment
- Unscreened construction keeps termination fast and avoids the need for a screen bonding regime
Specification notes and limitations
Data cable carries no mains potential but must still be segregated from power wiring to meet the separation requirements of BS 7671 and to keep interference down. Where the cable supplies Power over Ethernet devices, bundle sizes matter: large tightly packed bundles carrying PoE current heat up and derate, so follow the cable maker's bundling guidance. Observe the minimum bend radius and the maximum pulling tension, because overstretching or kinking a twisted pair cable permanently degrades its high frequency performance even though it will still pass a basic continuity test.
