Wondering if buying Cat5e ethernet cable is the right decision. Read on to find out the 3 reasons not to buy Cat5e ethernet cables. These cables were introduced after the Cat5 as an enhanced category of twisted pair ethernet cables. Hence, the ‘e’ in the Cat5e stands for ‘enhanced’. When these cables were first introduced, they took over the networking industry with their faster data transfer rates and better efficiency. 

Particularly the bare copper Cat5e cable 1000ft was preferred for almost all kinds of networks such as in schools, homes, office buildings, etc. But this was back in the year 1999. Ever since then, it has been quite a while. As compared to Cat5e, there are better cables such as Cat6 which are more cost-effective, support higher performance, and more. 

What is Cat5e Cable 1000ft?

Ethernet cables are used to connect your devices to the internet. Compared to the more recent bulk ethernet cables, the Cat5e cable has smaller gauge wires, which reduces its speed. A smaller wire gauge and lack of a spline between the conductor pairs reduce its resistance to crosstalk interference. 

It comes in three different types of jackets and two different types of conductors. The bare copper conductor and plenum-rated jacket of the cable are top-notch among all the others. Bulk Cat5e cable has a data transfer speed of up to 100 MBit/s over 100 meters. And a maximum bandwidth capacity of 350 MHz. 

If you're just using your ethernet cable in one room, a Cat 5e cable should be perfect for you! But if you're planning on using the cable in other rooms or running long distances through walls, you might want to consider buying cat6.

Why Buying Cat5e Ethernet Cable May Be a Bad Choice?

If you’re setting up your own network, then you’re probably looking to make an informed decision on what kind of Ethernet cable you should buy. Cat5e Bare Copper Ethernet cable has been the standard in networking. But it has recently been overtaken by Cat6 and Cat6a cables. 

Here are a few of the benefits of recent categories of ethernet cables over 1000ft Cat5e cables. If you’re trying to decide whether or not you should be buying Bare Copper Cat5e Ethernet cable, keep reading.

1. Speed: Cat6 is faster than Cat5e

Choosing the right kind of Ethernet cable for your network is important because it can make all the difference in terms of speed. 

The cable has decent speed if you want to run it in a residential space or a small scale office building. For ultra-high-speed requirements, the Cat5e ethernet cable’s meager 100 MBit/s data transfer rate may not be enough. 

Moreover, the cable lacks a wire separator which makes it more susceptible to electromagnetic interference and internal crosstalk. 

2. Bandwidth Capacity of Cat5e

After speed, the bandwidth capacity of the cable may be problematic for some networks. It is only 350 MHz for the top-notch Bare Copper Cat5e cable 1000ft on the market but it can be as low as 250 MHz. 

This bandwidth capacity is not enough especially if you are going to install it in a data center or server room. That does not mean you cannot use this cable in low-capacity installations. If you want to connect your laptop or PC to a router, this is an ideal cable. However, you have better options when it comes to high-performance use. 

Cost: Cat6 is more expensive than Cat5e

The price difference between the more recent bulk ethernet cables and the Cat5e cable 1000ft is minimal. So why would you go with the more expensive option? Because it's worth it! The increased speeds, improved transmission, and less crosstalk make the cables such as Cat6 and Cat6a worth every penny. 

Plus, since the Cat6 and 6a cables are backward compatible with cat5e devices, it's not as if you have to worry about upgrading all of your equipment when you make the switch.

Bonus: Compatibility

Cat5e Plenum pure copper may not be compatible with certain newer technologies. Also, it can’t handle speeds up to 10 gigabits per second. Nowadays, most new devices are coming out with at least a few gigabytes of memory, which makes it even more important to have the latest technology available in your home. 

If you're concerned about future-proofing your network for faster speeds and better functionality, then you'll want to make sure that you purchase Cat6 cables or Cat6a. With this in mind, purchasing Cat5e cable may not be the best idea as they're not compatible with these newer technologies. But then again, Cat5e is the go-to cable for home and small scale commercial networks. 

Conclusion

Ethernet cable has been around for many years and is still an essential component of any network infrastructure. However, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right type of cabling to buy.  The choice of which type of cabling to buy can greatly impact your network infrastructure and its performance. Cat5e plenum pure copper cable may not be the best option because it's made up of thinner wires that have lower data speeds. If you need to run cables over long distances or if you're using them in rugged environments, then Cat6 or even Cat6a should be considered instead.