People often need clarification about frequency, bandwidth, and data transfer rate/speed. Keep reading to find out the frequency or bandwidth of an ethernet cable.
The frequency or “bandwidth” of an ethernet cable is the data transfer rate of that specific cable. It is measured in megahertz and represented by the symbol MHz.
Every cable has a different frequency based on its category. A general rule of thumb is that the higher numbers represent higher speeds and frequencies.
Below in this article, I have compared Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a Cable based on their frequencies:
Also Read: Ethernet Cables – Frequently Asked Questions
Frequency in Different Categories of Ethernet Cables
There are various categories available in ethernet cables. Every category comes with different specifications. You can select these cables based on your network requirements. Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a have commonly used ethernet cables these days.
All these cables differ based on their internal structure, wiring, and shielding. Cat5e Cable is good for home networks, and it comes with a speed of 350 MHZ. We highly recommend Cat6 in many networks.
They make it of 23 AWG wire with extra twisted pairing. Cat6 Cable comes with a bandwidth of 550 MHZ. This speed makes it ideal to use this cable for an application that requires a high transfer data rate.
Cat6a is an augmented version of Cat6. If you are looking for high speed, bandwidth, and data transfer rate, then Cat6a is simply perfect. This cable has a frequency of 650 MHZ.
Not Every Ethernet Cable is Equal
This is one of the most important things to understand every ethernet cable comes with different provisions. You can choose the perfect cable for your network if you do a little research.
There are various factors you can look into while buying cable. Data transfer speed, internal wiring, and shielding are some basic things you can look into while shopping for a cable.
