Cat 5

Cat 5 (short for "Category 5") is a type of Ethernet cable. It supports data transfer rates of up to 100 Mbps, or 12.5 megabytes per second. Cat 5 cables operate at a 100 MHz frequency and can extend up to 100 meters between connected devices.

Each Cat 5 cable has eight internal wires, or four "twisted pairs." These pairs, which are color-coded, may be wired two different ways into the RJ45 connector. A Cat 5 cable with the same wiring on each end is a "patch cable," while one that is wired differently on each end is a "crossover cable."

Category 5 Ethernet cables were commonly used for creating local area networks in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since they supported 100 Mbps transfer rates, they were sufficient for 100BASE-T "Fast Ethernet" networks. In 2001, Cat 5e cables, which support 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet), began to replace Cat 5 cables. Today, most wired networks use Cat 5e cables and above. The low maximum data transfer rate of Cat 5 would create a bottleneck in most modern networks.

While Cat 5 cables are only rated for 100 Mbps networks, many Cat 5 cables support data transfer rates over 100 Mbps. Some may even support speeds up to 1,000 Mbps.

NOTE: "Cat 5" is shorthand for "category 5." Since there is no standard abbreviation, "Cat5" and "Cat-5" are also acceptable.

Updated December 16, 2020 by Per C.

quizTest Your Knowledge

A powerline network uses what kind of wiring to create a local area network?

A
Telephone
0%
B
Electrical
0%
C
Cable television
0%
D
Fiber optic
0%
Correct! Incorrect!     View the Powerline Network definition.
More Quizzes →

The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary

The definition of Cat 5 on this page is an original definition written by the TechTerms.com team. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, please use the green citation links above.

The goal of TechTerms.com is to explain computer terminology in a way that is easy to understand. We strive for simplicity and accuracy with every definition we publish. If you have feedback about this definition or would like to suggest a new technical term, please contact us.

Sign up for the free TechTerms Newsletter

How often would you like to receive an email?

You can unsubscribe or change your frequency setting at any time using the links available in each email.

Questions? Please contact us.