Cabling Knowledge Base

Category 3 or Cat3 Cable is a UTP, or untwisted pair cable commonly used for phone system or voice communications cabling.

Category 3 Cable

The popularity of Cat3 cable as a cost effective means of deploying voice services remains robust since the majority of business telephones only require a single pair of wires to operate. Originally designed to carry data at up to speeds of 10Mbit/s, Cat3 has been replaced by Cat5e for higher data speed demands.

Cat 3 Connectors

Cat3 Cable is typically connected in jacks and telephones with RJ11 connectors as pictured here. At the phone system level, Cat3 is seperated and usually punched down on 66 blocks or 110 blocks for ease of integration into your voice network.

For several years Cat5e has been the standard for data networks. With transport speeds up to 100 Mbits/s, Cat5e cabling provides outstanding service and an affordable option for most data network infrastructures.

Cat5e Cable

Cat5e replaced Cat5 as a standard in 2001. The most common applications are 100BASE-T or “common” data networks and the increasingly popular VOIP systems. With 100Mbit/s capacity, Cat5e is the most common cable of choice used today.

Cat5e Connectors

Cat 5e and Cat5 network cable is connected with RJ45 connectors. (Pictured Left) Despite the superior performance over Cat3, there is still a distance limitation of 90m in length for horizontal cables.

Category 6 Cable or Cat6 is a cable standard for gigabit ethernet. As network administrators are pushing their networks to higher levels of performance, Cat6 is a desirable alternative to Cat5e with speeds 10x as fast.

Cat 6 Cable

Cat 6 is a communications cable with four twisted copper pairs. While also having the same distance limitation of 90m for horizontal runs as previous copper standards, Cat6 Cable meets even more stringent specifications for both crosstalk and system noise.

Cat6 Connectors

As with Cat5e cables, Cat6 also uses an RJ45 connector for termination. Although a slightly thicker cable, Cat6 has also been engineered to be backwards compatible with both the Cat3 and Cat5e standards. Cat6 supports all 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, and 1000BASE-T netword standards, and is ideal for high traffic shared networks utilizing VOIP.
 

Rarely used due to cost or lack of need, Cat 7 is a copper cable standard designed to support 10 gigabit ethernet over 100 meters.

Cat 7 Cabling

Category 7 cable or Cat 7 is backwards compatible with Cat 6 and Cat5e ethernet cable, and it performs at frequencies up to 600 MHz.. Cat7 is designed with even more stringent specifications for dealing with cross talk and noise. Shielding has been added to each individual pair to accomplish the superior performance. Cat7 uses both the RJ45 connector as well as GG45 electrical connectors. When termination is done with TERA connectors, Cat7 cable is rated for transmissions above 600 MHz.

Coax or Coaxial cable is typically used for video transmission or for high speed data applications.

Coaxial Cable

Coaxial Cable by definition is a cable with both an inner conductor and outer conductor through which it carries its signal. There are a wide array of Coaxial Cable types, but the most common types used in commercial applications for video service, video surveillance, or for high speed networks include RG-6 and RG-59. For video applications, it is essential to choose a coax cable that are of the 75 ohm type. Some 50 ohm Coax cables are suitable for data networks, but are not sufficient for video transmission.

Fiber offers the top speeds and reliability that sophisticated networks require. Use fiber for high speed applications, connecting networks, MDF’s to IDF’s, building to building, or for cable runs over the 300ft. distance limitation of standard copper cables like Cat5e or Cat6.

Fiber Optic Cable Installation

Whether you plan on installing a single fiber run or entire fiber backbone gigabit network, Just Cabling experts can help. We’ll help you design your entire network, determine if multimode or single mode – or a combination of both is right for you, and then we will provide our professional implementation services. If you need fiber optic cable repair, troubleshooting, testing, or fiber certification, contact us today.

Fiber Optic Connections

Like many cable types, fiber offers a wide array of connector types. Each one typically will have a specific application that it works best with, so choosing the right connectors is key. Whether you are currently using SC, ST, FC, MT, MU, Toslink or some of the other lesser used fiber connector types, Just Cabling provides complete troubleshooting and repair services

Just Cabling provides a wide array of services to our fiber optic clients. Do you need patch cords or custom length patch cords? Do you need fiber repair? We’ve got you covered.

Custom Fiber Optic Patch Cables

Do you need fiber patch cords? No matter the color, length, or connector type, if Just Cabling cannot purchase exactly what you need, we will customm make it. Can’t find a patch cord that goes from SC to ST, FC to ST, and back again? Just give us a call.

Fiber Optic Cable Repair

Having the most superior material for your network infrastructure keeps your infrastructure moving at the speed of light. However, should you experience performance issues or find that you have a damaged fiber optic cable, Just Cabling offers complete Fiber Optic repair services. Whether you need a fusion splice or mechanical splices, Just Cabling provides complete Fiber Optic Cable Repair services.

In a pinch for a fiber repair or fiber connection? You’ll be glad to know we stock a variety of fiber enclosures and splice kits to get you up and running quickly.

Fiber Enclosures

Fiber Connections require a housing to protect the fiber and to provide a common point of connection on long and diverse fiber cable runs. Depending on fiber type and size, Just Cabling provides several options from the top cable manufactures in the industry. Let us know what you have, and we’ll do the rest.

Fiber Splicing Kits

Whether you require a quick mechanical splice and test, or you prefer the superior and industry accepted method of fusion splicing, Just Cabling provides all the equipment and supplies necessary to handle your fiber connection management.

Are you having service issues on your fiber optic network? Contact us right away to schedule a service call.

Fiber Testing, Certification & Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Fiber is impossible without the right equipment. Just Cabling uses only BICSI certified fiber technicians to test, certify, and to troubleshoot your fiber network. We know you need to be up and running fast, and we get the job done right the first time. Call us today!

Common Support Topics

Category 3 or Cat3 Cable is a UTP, or untwisted pair cable commonly used for phone system or voice communications cabling.

Category 3 Cable

The popularity of Cat3 cable as a cost effective means of deploying voice services remains robust since the majority of business telephones only require a single pair of wires to operate. Originally designed to carry data at up to speeds of 10Mbit/s, Cat3 has been replaced by Cat5e for higher data speed demands.

Cat 3 Connectors

Cat3 Cable is typically connected in jacks and telephones with RJ11 connectors as pictured here. At the phone system level, Cat3 is seperated and usually punched down on 66 blocks or 110 blocks for ease of integration into your voice network.

For several years Cat5e has been the standard for data networks. With transport speeds up to 100 Mbits/s, Cat5e cabling provides outstanding service and an affordable option for most data network infrastructures.

Cat5e Cable

Cat5e replaced Cat5 as a standard in 2001. The most common applications are 100BASE-T or “common” data networks and the increasingly popular VOIP systems. With 100Mbit/s capacity, Cat5e is the most common cable of choice used today.

Cat5e Connectors

Cat 5e and Cat5 network cable is connected with RJ45 connectors. (Pictured Left) Despite the superior performance over Cat3, there is still a distance limitation of 90m in length for horizontal cables.

Category 6 Cable or Cat6 is a cable standard for gigabit ethernet. As network administrators are pushing their networks to higher levels of performance, Cat6 is a desirable alternative to Cat5e with speeds 10x as fast.

Cat 6 Cable

Cat 6 is a communications cable with four twisted copper pairs. While also having the same distance limitation of 90m for horizontal runs as previous copper standards, Cat6 Cable meets even more stringent specifications for both crosstalk and system noise.

Cat6 Connectors

As with Cat5e cables, Cat6 also uses an RJ45 connector for termination. Although a slightly thicker cable, Cat6 has also been engineered to be backwards compatible with both the Cat3 and Cat5e standards. Cat6 supports all 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, and 1000BASE-T netword standards, and is ideal for high traffic shared networks utilizing VOIP.
 

Rarely used due to cost or lack of need, Cat 7 is a copper cable standard designed to support 10 gigabit ethernet over 100 meters.

Cat 7 Cabling

Category 7 cable or Cat 7 is backwards compatible with Cat 6 and Cat5e ethernet cable, and it performs at frequencies up to 600 MHz.. Cat7 is designed with even more stringent specifications for dealing with cross talk and noise. Shielding has been added to each individual pair to accomplish the superior performance. Cat7 uses both the RJ45 connector as well as GG45 electrical connectors. When termination is done with TERA connectors, Cat7 cable is rated for transmissions above 600 MHz.

Coax or Coaxial cable is typically used for video transmission or for high speed data applications.

Coaxial Cable

Coaxial Cable by definition is a cable with both an inner conductor and outer conductor through which it carries its signal. There are a wide array of Coaxial Cable types, but the most common types used in commercial applications for video service, video surveillance, or for high speed networks include RG-6 and RG-59. For video applications, it is essential to choose a coax cable that are of the 75 ohm type. Some 50 ohm Coax cables are suitable for data networks, but are not sufficient for video transmission.

Fiber offers the top speeds and reliability that sophisticated networks require. Use fiber for high speed applications, connecting networks, MDF’s to IDF’s, building to building, or for cable runs over the 300ft. distance limitation of standard copper cables like Cat5e or Cat6.

Fiber Optic Cable Installation

Whether you plan on installing a single fiber run or entire fiber backbone gigabit network, Just Cabling experts can help. We’ll help you design your entire network, determine if multimode or single mode – or a combination of both is right for you, and then we will provide our professional implementation services. If you need fiber optic cable repair, troubleshooting, testing, or fiber certification, contact us today.

Fiber Optic Connections

Like many cable types, fiber offers a wide array of connector types. Each one typically will have a specific application that it works best with, so choosing the right connectors is key. Whether you are currently using SC, ST, FC, MT, MU, Toslink or some of the other lesser used fiber connector types, Just Cabling provides complete troubleshooting and repair services

Just Cabling provides a wide array of services to our fiber optic clients. Do you need patch cords or custom length patch cords? Do you need fiber repair? We’ve got you covered.

Custom Fiber Optic Patch Cables

Do you need fiber patch cords? No matter the color, length, or connector type, if Just Cabling cannot purchase exactly what you need, we will customm make it. Can’t find a patch cord that goes from SC to ST, FC to ST, and back again? Just give us a call.

Fiber Optic Cable Repair

Having the most superior material for your network infrastructure keeps your infrastructure moving at the speed of light. However, should you experience performance issues or find that you have a damaged fiber optic cable, Just Cabling offers complete Fiber Optic repair services. Whether you need a fusion splice or mechanical splices, Just Cabling provides complete Fiber Optic Cable Repair services.

In a pinch for a fiber repair or fiber connection? You’ll be glad to know we stock a variety of fiber enclosures and splice kits to get you up and running quickly.

Fiber Enclosures

Fiber Connections require a housing to protect the fiber and to provide a common point of connection on long and diverse fiber cable runs. Depending on fiber type and size, Just Cabling provides several options from the top cable manufactures in the industry. Let us know what you have, and we’ll do the rest.

Fiber Splicing Kits

Whether you require a quick mechanical splice and test, or you prefer the superior and industry accepted method of fusion splicing, Just Cabling provides all the equipment and supplies necessary to handle your fiber connection management.

Are you having service issues on your fiber optic network? Contact us right away to schedule a service call.

Fiber Testing, Certification & Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Fiber is impossible without the right equipment. Just Cabling uses only BICSI certified fiber technicians to test, certify, and to troubleshoot your fiber network. We know you need to be up and running fast, and we get the job done right the first time. Call us today!