HOME NETWORK- Cat5 or 6 and how long is too long

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Michael Rossato-Bennett

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Jul 22, 2013
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Hi,

I have cable modem and my office is 300 feet away from my office. I live in an apt. above my office (short commute) can I stretch a cat5 or 6 cable to my office for internet and phone? Which is better for this 5 or 6??

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remember there are 3 general types of cabling out there right now: Cat 5, Cat 5e, and Cat6.

Both Cat 5e and Cat 6 can handle gigabit speeds, but only Cat 6 is Certified to work at gigabit speeds. Cat 5 (not the 5e) is only good for maximum 10/100mb speeds. Also, Cat 6 wiring is better insulated to protect against environmental interference like electrical lines, lights, and industrial equipment.

Also, like previous people have mentioned, 300 feet straight line IS different from 300 ft after being routed along walls, above doorways, etc... You can always put a switch in the middle or so to help prevent against signal loss that may occur past 300ft.
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n1ghtr4v3n

n1ghtr4v3n

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Feb 27, 2013
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As an electrical engineer I can safely tell you you can use CAT5 or 6 up to 90m without significant loss, tested and approved.
Over 90m you should be a bit lucky to use CAT type cables. But well you are on the limit my friend. I believe its good though.

Also, CAT6 is a better and newer type. (which also allows higher connection speeds as well as 1000mbit/s while CAT5 only allows you to use 100mbit/s)

have fun.
 
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Michael Rossato-Bennett

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Jul 22, 2013
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Well, I dont think i will use high speed- this is just a home cable internet- so cat 5 is probably fine, right? 6 will not actually help will it?

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generalclean

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Mar 21, 2012
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Ethernet can be used up to 100m without a repeater or a boost. After the 100m mark, the signal starts to diminish and you start losing strength. If your office is no more than 300 feet then you should be just fine running the cable that far. Any more than that you will need to boost your signal.

I'm Net+ certified and have an Associate Degree in Network Specialist. So hope this answers your question.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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300 feet is just inside the distance window of 100 meters. But if you take into account routing the wire for neatness (around the corners of the room, down the wall, around the window, etc, etc), it may be a little long. Try it and see.
 
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bdubs85

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Aug 12, 2011
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remember there are 3 general types of cabling out there right now: Cat 5, Cat 5e, and Cat6.

Both Cat 5e and Cat 6 can handle gigabit speeds, but only Cat 6 is Certified to work at gigabit speeds. Cat 5 (not the 5e) is only good for maximum 10/100mb speeds. Also, Cat 6 wiring is better insulated to protect against environmental interference like electrical lines, lights, and industrial equipment.

Also, like previous people have mentioned, 300 feet straight line IS different from 300 ft after being routed along walls, above doorways, etc... You can always put a switch in the middle or so to help prevent against signal loss that may occur past 300ft.
 
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