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Question

Networking

Aug 17, 2018 11:28AM PDT

What is major difference between cat 5 , cat5e and cat5e plenum and which one is better for long term networking?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Of the three
Aug 17, 2018 11:33AM PDT

Only one had a major difference. The PLENUM rating is for use or laid in the plenum spaces of buildings.

There is no reason to think there is any effect on long term networking.

-> MODERATOR NOTE: A similar question turned out to be by a shill and followed by the spam cable supplier. Because this has occurred more than a few times, this will be a link free discussion.

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Answer
Opinion
Aug 17, 2018 3:20PM PDT

For longer term think Cat 6 and up unless reliable gigabit speed is not important. The Cat egory just defines the expected performance. C, M, P, etc., determine their usage for interior wiring and is mostly of concern where fire codes exist. Wire gauge can also be important and patch cables are a different matter altogether. I'd avoid any that's coded as CCA as this is "copper clad aluminum". I'd also avoid the use of "long term" and replace that with the number of years you'd hope to use the cable.