Code Specs

233
TECH TIP
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UTP Categories TECH TIP
In response to growing demand for data applications, premises cable performance has evolved such that several
categories of transmission performance for Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables have been developed. These
categories are detailed below.
Although some categories are no longer common, all are provided for historical purposes. The categories are
hierarchical, i.e., a higher category can be substituted for any lower category, but not vice versa.
Category Maximum
Bandwidth
Common Applications Specifications Comments
6A 500 MHz 10 GB Ethernet ANSI/TIA-568-B.2-10 Designed for reduced alien crosstalk
6 250 MHz 1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet TIA/EIA-568-B.2-1-2002
Doubles the bandwidth of CAT 5e and vastly
improves signal-to-noise margins.
5e 100 MHz 1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet
TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001
ANSI/ICEA S-90-661
Characterized by tightly twisted pairs to reduce
crosstalk loss.
5 100 MHz
1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet
100 Mbps Fast Ethernet
100 Mbps TPDDI
622 Mbps ATM
TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001
ANSI/ICEA S-90-661
No longer recognized as an appropriate medium
for commercial networking installations
(replaced by CAT 5e or higher).
4 20 MHz
10 Mbps Ethernet
16 Mbps Token Ring
(IEEE 802.5)
TIA/EIA-568-A (CAT 4) No longer used.
3 16 MHz
100 Mbps Fast Ethernet
(IEEE 802.3)
Analog Voice
Telecom Closet Wiring
TIA/EIA-568-B
(Category 3)
ANSI/ICEA S-90-661
Minimum allowed by the FCC for horizontal cable
in commercial and residential voice and data
applications. Market trend is to abandon CAT 3
in favor of installing CAT 5e or higher for both
data and voice.