Well Lucky , The CAT rating tell you the frequency rating of the cable. Additionally it can give you an idea of the typical use for it.
Types:
CAT 1. Lowest grade of cable. No Frequency rating. (1Mbs)
Typical use: Alarm systems, Intercom Systems.
CAT 2. Typical phone cable. Frequency max: 1mhz (4Mbps)
Typical use: Phone systems.
CAT 3. Typical 10base-T cable. Frequency max: 16mhz (10Mbps)
Typical use: 10base-T networks, 4Mbs token ring networks
CAT 4: Typical Token ring cable. Frequency max: 20mhz (16Mbps)
Typical use: 16Mbs Token ring networks.
Cat 5: Most common type. Frequency max: 100mhz (100Mbps)
Typical use: 100base-T networks / 10base-T networks
Cat 5e/6: High Speed cable. Frequency ~350+mhz
Typical use: 1000base-T over copper. (Gigabit Ethernet)
It's fine to use a cable type greater then what you need. You could for instance use Cat 5 cable for a phone system. It's actually good to use cable better then what you think you will need. This leaves room for future network upgrades.
For more details , Please visit the source site :
http://www.directron.com/ faqne twork.html#8
Answered by
laks
, an ibibo Master,
at
3:52 PM on May 23, 2008