The fastest RJ45 cable is a Category 8 (Cat 8) cable, which is designed to support data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps over a distance of up to 30 meters. This makes it the fastest ethernet cable available for use with RJ45 connectors.
What is RJ45 interface?RJ45 cable wire type and wiring method
CAT cables, often referred to as RJ45 cable interfaces, are used in LANs (Local Area Networks) for Internet or data transmission. They are available in various types such as CAT5, CAT6, etc. There are also different types, such as straight-through cables (patch cables) and crossover cables.
In this article, I will detail RJ45 cable wires. It will also introduce different types of Ethernet cables and see the speeds supported by different cable standards.
What is RJ45 cable wire?
RJ45 cable cable consists of 8 wires of different colors that are connected to a connector header. One end of the cable connects to a port on your laptop, while the other end connects to a router or modem to transmit the signal. The standard is called 8P8C (8-position, 8-contact). 8 cables are used as 4 pairs. This group of cables is shielded together as a twisted pair and is called a twisted pair cable.
Note: The Ethernet interface requires only two pairs of wires, the orange and green wires for the Internet connection. The other two pairs, blue and brown are used for telephone connections.
RJ45 cable wires support multiple connections using a single connector, which is why the RJ45 was originally called a modular connector. The connectors come with a directional label that helps in proper wiring.
Cable Types in RJ45 Connectors
RJ45 connectors use twisted-pair cables, and these twisted-pair cables come in unshielded twisted-pair and shielded twisted-pair.
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
It consists of 4 pairs of color-coded wires twisted around each other, this is done to prevent electromagnetic interference and signal distortion.
It is used in home and office networks.
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
Similar to Shielded Twisted Pair (STP), but with an additional layer of protection against electromagnetic interference.
Used for industrial purposes.
Types of twisted-pair cables based on cabling standards
Ethernet cables can be wired using two different cabling standards, 568A and 568B.The difference between these two standards is the order in which the pairs are arranged within the cable. Based on these standards, there are two types of twisted pair cables which are:
In-line cable (patch)
When both ends of an Ethernet cable are connected using the same standard (568A or 568B), it is called a straight-through or patch cable. It is often used to connect two different devices together. For example laptop to modem.
The two connectors at each end of the cable have the same standard (shown here as T568-B) as shown above.
Crossover cables
When two ends of an Ethernet cable are connected using opposite standards (568A at one end and 568B at the other), it is called a crossover cable. It is commonly used to connect two similar devices together. For example, a laptop to another laptop.
The two connectors at the end of the cable have different standards as shown above. One side of the cable is connected according to the T568-B standard and the other side is connected according to the T568-A standard.
What are the different categories of twisted pair cables?
The five main categories used in twisted pair cables are CAT3, CAT5, CAT6, CAT7 and CAT8. of these, CAT5 and CAT6 wires are usually used with RJ45 connectors. The categories are distinguished by the maximum speed they can handle without any interference. The following table gives the maximum speeds offered by each category:
Types | Maximum speed |
CAT3 | 10 Mbit/s |
CAT5 | 100 Mbit/s |
CAT5e | 1Gbps |
CAT6 | 1Gbps(10 Gbps, if using cables less than 100 m long) |
CAT6e | 10Gbps |
CAT7 | 10Gbps(add shielding to wires) |
CAT8 | 40Gbps (up to 30 meters away) |
Are RJ45 and CAT6 the same?
RJ45 and CAT6 are not the same.RJ45 is a connector while CAT6 (CATEGORY 6) is a type of twisted pair cable. However, CAT cables are often referred to as RJ45 cables or Ethernet cables.
Applications of RJ45 cable wires
RJ45 cable wires are commonly used for Ethernet connections. However, they are useful for other applications as well. Some common applications include:
Automation systems
Process control systems
Manufacturing and assembly of industrial robotic arms
Measurement systems
Quality control
Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) devices
Internet of Things (IoT) devices
Summary
The RJ45 cable cord is a standardized data connection cable commonly used in computer networks and communications. It uses an RJ45 plug with eight metal contacts to transmit data signals for Ethernet and other network protocols.
It is important to note that it is important to use the right quality of RJ45 cable wire in order to ensure the stability and performance of your network connection. Low-quality or non-compliant cables may result in incorrect data transmission, reduced rates, or broken connections. Therefore, it is recommended that you choose certified high-quality RJ45 cable cords and select the appropriate cable type and wiring sequence for your specific needs.
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