CAT5
To help develop this article, click 'Edit this article' above.
Category 5 cable (CAT5 or Cat 5) is the fifth generation of standard, twisted-pair cable used for carrying signals, typically ethernet. It provides performance of up to 100 MHz and is commonly used for wired local area networks (LANs) and can carry data, telephone communications and video. It is possible to carry multiple signals on a single cable.
The standard for CAT 5 was defined by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).
CAT5 cable usually, although not always, contains four twisted pairs of copper wire. These can be solid or stranded. Solid can be used over longer runs and is best suited to permanent wiring whereas stranded is more flexible and so is better able to withstand bending commonly encountered in temporary uses.
An enhanced specification CAT5e provides improved crosstalk and system noise characteristics. In addition newer, higher performance standards have been developed such as CAT6, CAT6a and CAT7, however CAT5 and CAT5e remain popular as they are relatively economical and provide a reasonably good standard of performance.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Bluetooth.
- Ethernet.
- Extranet.
- Building information modelling.
- Computer aided design.
- Information and communications technology.
- Common data environment.
- Computer aided manufacturing.
- Computers in building design.
- ICT and Automation (ICTA) Scoping Study Report.
- In-building wireless.
- Internet of things.
- Local area network.
- Power over ethernet.
- Smart cities.
- Smart buildings.
- Wi-Fi.
Featured articles and news
Read about RSHP's British Museum extension which has been shortlisted for the 2017 Stirling Prize.
Read our introductory article to building a house extension.
More updates from DCMS about the large-scale testing of cladding systems and the number of buildings affected.
UandI secure resolution to grant planning consent for major new regeneration project.
Infrastructure and the historic environment
IHBC article considers how heritage is dealt with when infrastructure schemes are authorised.
It was the tallest structure in the world for 3,800 years, but to this day the exact construction techniques are a mystery.
Shortlist for the industry's most coveted award announced.
Government responds to Mark Farmer's review of industry, rejecting the call for a levy on clients.
Peter Hansford to examine what wider lessons can be learned from the fire.
Every project is subject to uncertainty. How can construction better understand uncertainty for performance improvement?
MAD Architects reveal their designs for a futuristic campus for electric car manufacturer.
Homebuyers could borrow more with better forecasting of energy bills, according to industry consortium's new report.
Read our introductory article on carbon capture and storage.
Grenfell Tower articles updated daily
