An Ethernet cable is a common type of network cable used with wired networks. Ethernet cables connect devices such as PCs, routers, and switches within a local area network.

These physical cables are limited by length and durability. If a network cable is too long or of poor quality, it won’t carry a good network signal. These limits are one reason there are different types of Ethernet cables that are optimized to perform certain tasks in specific situations.

An Ethernet cable resembles a traditional phone cable but is larger and has more wires. Both cables share a similar shape and plug, but an Ethernet cable has eight wires, while phone cables have four. Ethernet cable connectors are also larger.

ETHERNET CABLES

Ethernet cable types

CategoryShieldingMax transmission speedsMax bandwidth
Cat 3Unshielded10Mbps16MHz
Cat 5Unshielded10 to 100Mbps100MHz
Cat 5eUnshielded1,000Mbps to 1Gbps100MHz
Cat 6Shielded or unshielded10Gbps up to 55 meters250MHz
Cat 6aShielded10Gbps up to 55 meters500MHz
Cat 7Shielded100Gbps up to 15 meters600MHz
Cat 7aShielded100Gbps up to 15 meters1,000MHz
Cat 8Shielded40Gbps up to 30 meters2,000MHz