Ethernet cable Cat 6 or Cat 6A

mjroennebeck

mjroennebeck

New elf
Joined
Mar 9, 2025
Messages
15
So I've decided to go with Cat 6. The only thing I'm super confused on is what type do I get? Cat 6 or Cat 6A? What is the difference between Plenum, riser, stranded or solid and what one do I need for my lights?
 
Last edited:
What is your use case? Everything except stranded is designed for permanent installation (eg doesn't get flexed more than a few times)
 
I wouldn't waste money on either CAT6 for any installation, or CAT6A in this use case.

  • CAT6 was designed before CAT5e as a way to do gigabit. CAT5e is perfectly capable of this (and more).
  • 6A is thick, heavy, and like working with reo-bar. It's designed for 10-gigabit installations. Each pair is individually shielded, and requires special connectors if you plan to crimp yourself.
  • Nothing in the hobby runs 10gig. So I would just use 5e everywhere. It's lighter, easier to work with.
  • If you plan to self-terminate, then you won't do better than a 5e termination regardless (if going for spec).
  • 6A and 6 is much more expensive compared to 5e.
And if you plan to use it for differential receivers, you're talking a 800kHz signal. Less than 0.1% of cat5e's available bandwidth (100Mhz) and even less of the other two.
 
  • Appreciate
Reactions: AAH
Skymaster said:
I wouldn't waste money on either CAT6 for any installation, or CAT6A in this use case.

  • CAT6 was designed before CAT5e as a way to do gigabit. CAT5e is perfectly capable of this (and more).
  • 6A is thick, heavy, and like working with reo-bar. It's designed for 10-gigabit installations. Each pair is individually shielded, and requires special connectors if you plan to crimp yourself.
  • Nothing in the hobby runs 10gig. So I would just use 5e everywhere. It's lighter, easier to work with.
  • If you plan to self-terminate, then you won't do better than a 5e termination regardless (if going for spec).
  • 6A and 6 is much more expensive compared to 5e.
And if you plan to use it for differential receivers, you're talking a 800kHz signal. Less than 0.1% of cat5e's available bandwidth (100Mhz) and even less of the other two.
Click to expand...
Ok last question on this. Do I need to get shielded or unshielded
 
Where do you all get your cat cable from. I'm realizing how expensive this hobby is and all these little things add up
 
I've bought a few of these of various lengths, seems to work fine. https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B078Q5SZ34?th=1

Also I note you now have 2x different threads asking about Cat cables. Might be best to just stick with one so you can track all responses more easily. We have members from all over the world in different timezones, so allow some time for people to chime in with their responses instead of starting new threads on the same topic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top