Does Ethernet Cable Affect Speed?

Does Ethernet Cable Affect Speed?

In our connected world, internet speed is crucial. The type of Ethernet cable you use significantly impacts your internet speed. Let’s explore the different cable categories and their capabilities:

1. Cat5 Cables: These were once the industry standard for Ethernet connections. They theoretically support speeds up to 100 Mbps, but with today’s high-speed internet, they may struggle to keep up.

2. Cat5e Cables: An upgraded version of Cat5, Cat5e cables offer improved performance and reduced interference. They can reliably support speeds up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps), making them better for modern networks.

3. Cat6 Cables: As demand for faster speeds rises, Cat6 cables have become popular. They support gigabit Ethernet speeds up to 10 Gbps over shorter distances.

4. Cat7 and Cat8 Cables: For ultimate performance, Cat7 and Cat8 cables are top contenders. Cat7 supports speeds up to 10 Gbps over longer distances, while Cat8 is designed for future-proof speeds up to 40 Gbps.

Remember that cable length, quality, and interference also play a role. Proper installation and hardware upgrades optimize speed. Your Ethernet cable won’t change your internet plan’s speed, but it can enhance stability compared to Wi-Fi.

In regards to your IP CCTV Cameras?

Cat5e is most commonly used, in general its 100Mbps is more than enough for pretty much all IP CCTV cameras – and will be for much higher resolutions than 8MP, hence all the Ethernet cables we supply is Cat5e as standard (obviously cat6 / 7 has even higher throughput rates so there is no harm in using those).