| Common Usage | CAT6 | CAT6e |
| Phone Lines | ✓ | ✓ |
| Home Network | ✓ | ✓ |
| Office Network | ✓ | ✓ |
| Data Center | X | ✓ |
| Features/Specs | ||
| Potential Bandwidth (per sec) | 1Gb | 1Gb |
| Time to transfer 1 Terabyte | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Data Transmission | 1000 BASE-TX | Exceeds 1000 BASE-TX |
| Connector Type | RJ45 8P8C (for CAT6) | RJ45 (for CAT6) |
| Frequency Range Minimum | 0 - 250 MHz | 0 - 250 MHz |
| Frequency Maximum | 500 MHz | 600 MHz |
| Performance Distance | 328 Feet | 328 Feet |
| Alt. Distance | 10Gb 180ft | 10Gb 180ft |
Category 6
The mainstream adoption of Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) required a new industry-standard cable. The cable needed to be capable of transmitting at a higher frequency of 250 MHz. As a result, cable manufacturers introduced CAT6. The CAT6 cable uses a thicker-gauge wire and has an increased shielding. Also, the wires have more twists per inch. These improvements helped to reduce signal loss and interference. The tighter specifications guaranteed that 100-meter runs using CAT6 cable is capable of 1000 Mbit/s transfer speeds. Also, CAT6 cable can reach 10-Gigabit Ethernet speeds by reducing the length to less than 50 meters. After introducing CAT6, ICC made enhancements and produced CAT6e.
Category 6e
CAT6e is an augmented specification of CAT6. It is designed to double the frequency from 250 MHz to 600 MHz. There is no standard for CAT6e that is recognized by the TIA like there is for the CAT6 and CAT5e. ICC introduced the CAT6e cable as a premium offering to CAT6, just like most bulk cable manufacturers. In addition, CAT6e cable with grounded foil shielding can reach 10-Gigabit Ethernet speeds without having to reduce the maximum length of 100 meters.
ICC offers bulk network cable in three performances; CAT6A, CAT6, and CAT5e. To learn more, please visit icc.com/bulk-cable.
