Which Ethernet cable to choose for a home network?
Hello! I want to install the Internet. Which cable should I buy? There are many different categories - Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 and higher. I want good speed and for everything to work without interruptions. My house is not very big, the longest connection will be about 25 meters. Can you advise which cable would be suitable? And what is the difference between them, especially between Cat5 and Cat5e?
If you have a maximum of 25 meters, then you can do without complex solutions. For such a length and home tasks, a Cat5e cable is quite suitable. It supports speeds up to 1 Gbps and works great under normal conditions. The main thing is not to take the old Cat5, because it has less protection against interference. Cat 5e speed is already a modern standard, and it will be a normal choice if you do not have requirements for 10 Gbps. Of course, you can also take Cat6, but it is more expensive, and you are unlikely to notice the difference in speed when using it at home.
Indeed, a lot depends on where exactly you will lay the cable and what equipment you have. Sometimes it is better to overpay a little so as not to change it again later. But in general, if the network is not planned to be loaded to the fullest, then most popular options will cope. Especially if there is no strong interference or difficult installation conditions. It is good that now you can find a lot of information in advance and understand what you really need.