Editing Category 5 cable

{{Short description|Unshielded twisted pair communications cable}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}

[[File:CAT5e Cable.jpg|thumb|Category 5 cable that is partially [[Wire stripper|stripped]] and showing its four [[twisted pair]]s (eight wires)]]

'''Category&nbsp;5 cable''' ('''Cat&nbsp;5''') is a [[twisted pair]] cable for [[computer network]]s. Since 2001, the variant commonly in use is the '''Category&nbsp;5e''' specification ('''Cat&nbsp;5e'''). The cable standard provides performance of up to 100&nbsp;MHz and is suitable for most varieties of [[Ethernet over twisted pair]] up to [[2.5GBASE-T]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cooney|first=Michael|date=2016-09-27|title=IEEE sets new Ethernet standard that brings 5X the speed without disruptive cable changes|url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/3124948/ieee-sets-new-ethernet-standard-that-brings-5x-the-speed-without-disruptive-cable-changes.html|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Network World|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Anthony|first=Sebastian|date=2016-09-29|title=Here comes 5Gbps networking over standard cables|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/09/5gbps-ethernet-standard-details-8023bz/|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Ryan|title=At Last, a 2.5Gbps Consumer Network Switch: QNAP Releases QSW-1105-5T 5-Port Switch|url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/15916/at-last-a-25gbps-consumer-network-switch-qnap-releases-qsw11055t-5port-switch|access-date=2021-01-19|website=www.anandtech.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=IEEE P802.3bz 2.5/5GBASE-T Task Force|url=https://www.ieee802.org/3/bz/index.html|access-date=2021-01-19|website=www.ieee802.org}}</ref> but more commonly runs at {{nowrap|[[1000BASE-T]]}} (Gigabit Ethernet) speeds. Cat&nbsp;5 is also used to carry other signals such as [[telephone]] and [[video]].

This cable is commonly connected using [[punch-down block]]s and [[modular connector]]s. Most Category&nbsp;5 cables are [[Electromagnetic shielding|unshielded]], relying on the [[balanced line]] twisted pair design and [[differential signaling]] for noise suppression.

== Standards ==
Category&nbsp;5 is currently defined in [[ISO/IEC 11801]], [[IEC 61156]] and [[EN 50173]], though it was originally defined in [[ANSI]]/[[TIA/EIA-568-A]] (with clarification in TSB-95).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ense.be/PDF/2100.pdf |title=Additional Transmission Performance Guidelines for 4-pair 100&nbsp;v category&nbsp;5 Cabling |access-date=2013-05-12 |archive-date=2013-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005004127/http://www.ense.be/PDF/2100.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> These documents specify performance characteristics and test requirements for [[frequencies]] up to 100&nbsp;MHz.

The cable is available in both stranded and solid conductor forms. The stranded form is more flexible and withstands more bending without breaking. [[Patch cable]]s are stranded. Permanent wiring used in [[structured cabling]] is solid. The category and type of cable can be identified by the printing on the jacket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://donutey.com/ethernet.php |title=Ethernet Cable Identification and Use |publisher=Donutey |access-date=2011-04-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710144347/https://donutey.com/ethernet.php |archive-date=2011-07-10 }}</ref>

The Category&nbsp;5 specification requires conductors to be pure copper. There has been a rise in counterfeit cables, especially of the copper-clad aluminum (CCA) variety.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flukenetworks.com/content/application-note-copper-clad-aluminum-cables |title=APPLICATION NOTE Copper Clad Aluminum(CCA) Cables |date=26 December 2013 |publisher=Fluke Networks |access-date=2021-04-07}}</ref> This has exposed the manufacturers and installers of such fake cable to legal liabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cccassoc.org/2012/10/26/potential-legal-liabilities-for-manufacturers-and-installers-of-category-communications-cables-made-with-copper-clad-aluminum-conductors/ |title=Potential Legal Liabilities for Manufacturers and Installers of Category Communications Cables Made with Copper Clad Aluminum Conductors |publisher= Communications Cable and Connectivity Association, Inc. (CCCA) |access-date=2021-04-07}}</ref>

== Variants and comparisons ==
[[File:Cat 5e cable - 1.jpg|thumb|Cross section of a cat 5e cable]]
The Category&nbsp;5e specification improves upon the Category&nbsp;5 specification by further mitigating [[crosstalk]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scatmag.com/technical/techarticle_dec02.pdf |title=Understanding Cat - 5 Cables |publisher=Satelliete & Cable TV |access-date=2013-01-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515094403/https://www.scatmag.com/technical/techarticle_dec02.pdf|archive-date=2013-05-15}}</ref> The [[Bandwidth (signal processing)|bandwidth]] (100&nbsp;MHz) and physical construction are the same between the two,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tecdatawire.com/catspec.html |title=Cat5 Spec, cat6 specs, cat7 spec - Definitions, Comparison, Specifications |publisher=TEC Datawire |access-date=2013-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719071249/http://www.tecdatawire.com/catspec.html |archive-date=2013-07-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and most Cat 5 cables actually happen to meet Cat 5e specifications even though they are not certified as such.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200213071507/http://discountcablesusa.com/ethernet-cables100.html|url=http://discountcablesusa.com/ethernet-cables100.html|title=Comparison between CAT&nbsp;5, CAT&nbsp;5e, CAT&nbsp;6, CAT&nbsp;7 Cables |archive-date=2020-02-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> Category&nbsp;5 was deprecated in 2001 and superseded by the Category&nbsp;5e specification.<ref name="Axis">{{cite web |url=http://www.axisnetworkcabling.com/voice-data-cabling-installers-company.html |title=Voice and Data Cabling & Wiring Installations |access-date=2013-05-12}}</ref>

The [[Category 6 cable|Category&nbsp;6]] specification improves upon the Category&nbsp;5e specification by extending frequency response and further reducing crosstalk. The improved performance of Cat&nbsp;6 provides 250&nbsp;MHz bandwidth.<ref name="Axis"/> Category&nbsp;6A cable provides 500&nbsp;MHz bandwidth. Both variants are [[backward compatible]] with Category&nbsp;5 and 5e cables.

== Termination ==
<div style="float:right; clear:right;">
{{T568A Wiring|float=right}}
{{T568B Wiring|float=right}}
[[File:CAT-5E-Wall Outlet.jpg|thumb|A Cat&nbsp;5e dual-port wall-mount assembly showing the two wiring schemes: A for [[T568A]], B for [[T568B]]]]
[[File:Cat 5.jpg|thumb|Category&nbsp;5 [[patch cable]] in [[T568B]] wiring]]
</div>

Cable types, connector types and cabling topologies are defined by [[ANSI/TIA-568]]. Category&nbsp;5 cable is nearly always terminated with [[8P8C modular connector]]s (often referred to incorrectly as [[Registered jack|RJ45]] connectors{{Sfn | Trulove | 2005 | pp = 23, 132 | ps =: ‘''Designing LAN Wiring Systems'': The 8-pin modular jack is sometimes referred to as an "RJ-45", because the connector/jack components are the same. However, RJ-45 actually applies to a special purpose jack configuration that is not used in LAN or standard telephone wiring. […] ''Work Area Outlets'': Modular jacks are often referred to as "RJ-45" jacks. This is not really the correct moniker, although it is in very common use.’}}<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Oliviero | first1 = Andrew | last2 = Woodward | first2 = Bill | title = Cabling: The Complete Guide to Copper and Fiber-Optic Networking | edition = 4th | date  = July 20, 2009 | publisher = [[Sybex]] | isbn = 978-0-470-47707-6 | page = 294 | chapter = Connectors | quote = The RJ (registered jack) prefix is one of the most widely (and incorrectly) used prefixes in the computer industry; nearly everyone, including people working for cabling companies, is guilty of referring to an eight-position modular jack (sometimes called an 8P8C) as an RJ-45.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last1 = Semenov | first1 = Andrey B. | last2 = Strizhakov | first2 = Stanislav K. | last3 = Suncheley | first3 = Igor R. | title = Structured cable systems | date = October 3, 2002 | publisher = [[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]] | isbn = 3-540-43000-8 | page = 129 | chapter = Electrical Cable Connectors | quote = The traditional 8-contact connector, which is called Western Plug, 8PMJ (8-position modular jack), 8P8C (8 position 8 conductor), or somewhat incorrectly RJ-45, is used widely in SCS practice.}}</ref>). The cable is terminated in either the [[T568A]] scheme or the [[T568B]] scheme. The two schemes work equally well and may be mixed in an installation so long as the same scheme is used on both ends of each cable.

== Applications ==
Category 5 cable is used in structured cabling for [[computer network]]s such as [[Ethernet over twisted pair]]. The cable standard prescribes performance parameters for frequencies up to {{nowrap|100 MHz}} and is suitable for {{nowrap|[[10BASE-T]]}}, {{nowrap|[[100BASE-TX]]}} (Fast Ethernet), {{nowrap|[[1000BASE-T]]}} (Gigabit Ethernet), and {{nowrap|[[2.5GBASE-T]]}}. {{nowrap|10BASE-T}} and {{nowrap|100BASE-TX}} Ethernet connections require two wire pairs. 1000BASE-T and faster Ethernet connections require four wire pairs. Through the use of [[power over Ethernet]] (PoE), [[Electric power|power]] can be carried over the cable in addition to Ethernet data. 

Cat&nbsp;5 is also used to carry other signals such as [[telephony]] and [[video]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1272242 |title=Transmitting video over CAT&nbsp;5 cable |magazine=[[EE Times]] |date=2005-06-08 |access-date=2013-12-07 }}</ref> {{anchor|Shared cable}}<!-- [[Ethernet over twisted pair#Shared cable]] links here. -->In some cases, multiple signals can be carried on a single cable; Cat&nbsp;5 can carry two conventional telephone lines as well as 100BASE-TX in a single cable.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.instructables.com/id/Hack-your-House-Run-both-ethernet-and-phone-over-/ |title=Hack your House: Run Both Ethernet and Phone Over Existing Cat&nbsp;5 Cable |access-date=2016-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=October 21, 2015 |publisher=zytrax |url=http://www.zytrax.com/tech/layer_1/cables/mixed.html|title=LAN and Telephones|quote=Since 10base-T or 100base-TX wiring uses 2 pairs (4 wires) and each analog phone connection uses a single pair (2 wires) you can, subject to limitations, run 2 telephone connections and LAN traffic on category&nbsp;5(e) wiring.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Siemon |url=http://www.siemon.com/uk/white_papers/06-05-12-cable-sharing.asp|title=Cable Sharing in Commercial Building Environments: Reducing Cost, Simplifying Cable Management, and Converging Applications onto Twisted-Pair Media|access-date=2014-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dual-comm.com/RJ45_RJ11_Cable_Share.htm|title=RJ45/RJ11 Network Cable Splitters for Ethernet and Phone Line Sharing|quote=carry one old fashioned analog telephone signal and one 10/100&nbsp;Mbps Ethernet signal by the same single network cable.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Network/ats/index.html |title=ATS 10/100 Base T Splitter Adapters |publisher=Duxcw.com |access-date=2014-08-17 |archive-date=2015-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107194447/http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Network/ats/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[RJ61|USOC/RJ-61]] wiring standard may be used in multi-line telephone connections. Various schemes exist for transporting both analog and digital video over the cable. [[HDBaseT]] {{nowrap|(10.2 Gbit/s)}} is one such scheme.<ref>{{Cite news |title=HDBaseT Alliance Shows the Future of Connected Home Entertainment at CES 2013 |date=January 9, 2013 |author=HDBaseT Alliance |author-link=HDBaseT Alliance |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130109005445/en/HDBaseT-Alliance-Shows-Future-Connected-Home-Entertainment |access-date=2017-10-31 }}</ref>

== Characteristics ==
The use of [[balanced line]]s helps preserve a high [[signal-to-noise ratio]] despite interference from both external sources and crosstalk from other pairs.

{|class="wikitable"
|+Electrical characteristics for a commercially available Cat&nbsp;5e [[Unshielded twisted pair|UTP]] cable product
! Property !! [[Real versus nominal value|Nominal]] !! Tolerance
!width="50"|Unit
!ref
|-
| {{nowrap|[[Characteristic impedance]]}}, {{nowrap|1–100 [[MHz]]}} ||align="right"|100||± 15||{{nowrap|[[Ohm|Ω]]}}||{{nowrap|<ref name="drakacom_cat5">{{cite web|title=SuperCat OUTDOOR CAT&nbsp;5e U/UTP|url=http://communications.draka.com/sites/eu/Datasheets/SuperCat5_24_U_UTP_Install.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316111058/http://communications.draka.com/sites/eu/Datasheets/SuperCat5_24_U_UTP_Install.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-16}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{nowrap|Characteristic [[Electrical impedance|impedance]]}} {{nowrap|@ 100 MHz}} ||align="right"|100||± 5||{{nowrap|Ω}}||{{nowrap|<ref name="drakacom_cat5" />}}
|-
| [[Copper cable certification#DC Loop Resistance|DC loop resistance]] ||align="right"|≤ 0.188|| ||{{nowrap|Ω/m}}||{{nowrap|<ref name="drakacom_cat5" />}}
|-
| [[Propagation speed]] relative to the [[speed of light]]||align="right"|0.64|| ||||{{nowrap|<ref name="drakacom_cat5" />}}
|-
| [[Propagation delay]] ||align="right"|5.30|| ||{{nowrap|[[Nanosecond|ns]]/m}}||{{nowrap|<ref name="drakacom_cat5" />}}<!--draka + other src-->
|-
| [[Copper cable certification#Delay Skew|Delay skew]] {{nowrap|< 100 MHz}} ||align="right"|< 0.20|| ||{{nowrap|ns/m}}||{{nowrap|<ref name="drakacom_cat5" />}}
|-
| [[Capacitance]] at {{nowrap|800 Hz}}||align="right"|52|| ||{{nowrap|[[Farad|pF]]/m}}||{{nowrap|<ref name="drakacom_cat5" />}}
|-
| Max tensile load, during installation ||align="right"|100|| ||{{nowrap|[[Newton (unit)|N]]}}||{{nowrap|<ref name="drakacom_cat5" />}}
|-
| Wire diameter (24 [[AWG]]; {{nowrap|0.205 mm<sup>2</sup>)}})||align="right"| {{nowrap|0.51}} || ||mm || {{nowrap|<ref name="drakacom_cat5" />}}
|-
| Operating temperature ||align="right"|−55 to +60|| ||{{nowrap|°C}}||{{nowrap|<ref name="drakacom_cat5" />}}
|-
| {{nowrap|Maximum [[Direct current|DC]] operating voltage}}<br/>({{nowrap|[[Power over Ethernet#Standard implementation|PoE]] uses max 57 V}})<ref name="Table 33.11">IEEE 802.3at-2009 Table 33-11</ref> ||align="right"| 125 || ||{{nowrap|[[Volt|V]]}} || {{nowrap|<ref name="schrack-kabely">{{cite web |title=Copper Data Cables |url=http://www.schrack.cz/fileadmin/f/cz/INFORMACNI_TECHNOLOGIE/PIRELLI/PIRELLI__kabely_utp__ftp.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625021938/http://www.schrack.cz/fileadmin/f/cz/INFORMACNI_TECHNOLOGIE/PIRELLI/PIRELLI__kabely_utp__ftp.pdf |archive-date=2006-06-25 |page=6}}</ref>}}
|}

=== Insulation ===
Outer insulation is typically [[polyvinyl chloride]] (PVC)<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.cablewholesale.com/pdf/uspec_ethernet_technical-article_cablewholesale.pdf
|title=Specialized Ethernet Cable
|date=August 2016
|publisher=CableWholesale
}}</ref> or [[low smoke zero halogen]] (LS0H).{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}

{|class="wikitable"
|+Example materials used as insulation in the cable<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telkolink.com/downloads/UTP-STP_Cable.pdf |title=UTP-STP Cable |access-date=2016-08-18}}</ref>
!Acronym!!Material
|-
| PE    || [[Polyethylene]]
|-
| FP    || Foamed polyethylene
|-
| FEP   || [[Fluorinated ethylene propylene]]
|-
| FFEP  || Foamed fluorinated ethylene propylene
|-
| AD/PE || Air dielectric/polyethylene
|-
|LSZH or LS0H
|Low smoke, zero [[halogen]]
|-
|LSFZH or LSF0H
|Low smoke and fume, zero halogen
|}

=== Bending radius ===
Most Category&nbsp;5 cables can be bent at any radius exceeding approximately four times the outside diameter of the cable.<ref>{{cite web |title=Selecting coax and twisted-pair cable |publisher=Electronic Products |url=http://www2.electronicproducts.com/Selecting_coax_and_twisted-pair_cable-article-belden-nov2005-html.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201021105/http://www2.electronicproducts.com/Selecting_coax_and_twisted-pair_cable-article-belden-nov2005-html.aspx |archive-date=2009-02-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.squidwire.com/cabling/category-5/ |title=Category 5 |access-date=2013-05-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601105100/http://www.squidwire.com/cabling/category-5/ |archive-date=2013-06-01 }}</ref>

=== Maximum cable segment length ===
The maximum length for a cable segment is {{convert|100|m|ft|sp=us}} per TIA/EIA 568-5-A.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Evolution of Copper Cabling Systems from Cat&nbsp;5 to Cat&nbsp;5e to Cat&nbsp;6 |url=http://www.gocsc.com/UserFiles/File/Panduit/Panduit098765.pdf |access-date=2013-05-12 |date=2004-02-27 |publisher=[[Panduit]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314150935/https://www.gocsc.com/UserFiles/File/Panduit/Panduit098765.pdf |archive-date=2013-03-14 }}</ref> If longer runs are required, the use of active hardware such as a repeater or switch is necessary.<ref>{{cite web |title=UTP technology |access-date=2013-05-12 |date=2001 |publisher=[[Extron Electronics]] |url=http://www.extron.com/download/files/whitepaper/cat5-white.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511012602/http://www.extron.com/download/files/whitepaper/cat5-white.pdf |archive-date=2013-05-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CAT&nbsp;5e Cable Wiring Schemes |publisher=B&B Electronics |url=http://bb-elec.com/tech_articles/NTRON_cat5e_cable_wiring_schemes.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005021505/http://www.bb-elec.com/tech_articles/NTRON_cat5e_cable_wiring_schemes.asp |archive-date=2012-10-05}}</ref> The specifications for 10BASE-T networking specify a 100-meter length between active devices.<ref>{{Cite document |title=IEEE Std 802.3-2008|publisher=Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers|year=2008|at=Table 13-1 }}</ref> This allows for 90 meters of solid-core permanent wiring, two connectors and two stranded patch cables of 5 meters, one at each end.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenetworkencyclopedia.com/d2.asp?ref=883 |publisher=The Network Encyclopedia |title=Horizontal Cabling |access-date=2013-05-12}}</ref>

=== Conductors ===
Since 1995, solid-conductor [[unshielded twisted pair]] (UTP) cables for backbone cabling is required to be no thicker than 22 [[American Wire Gauge]] (AWG) and no thinner than 24 AWG, or 26 AWG for shorter-distance cabling. This standard has been retained with the 2009 revision of ANSI TIA/EIA 568.<ref name="ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001, Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard">{{cite web |url=http://www.csd.uoc.gr/~hy435/material/TIA-EIA-568-B.2.pdf |title=ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001, Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard |page=6 ¶4.3.2}}</ref>

Although cable assemblies containing four pairs are common, Category&nbsp;5 is not limited to four pairs. Backbone applications involve using up to {{nowrap|100 pairs}}.<ref>As noted in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B-2 standard for backbone applications</ref>

=== Individual twist lengths ===
The distance per twist is commonly referred to as pitch. Each of the four pairs in a Cat&nbsp;5 cable has a differing pitch to minimize [[crosstalk]] between the pairs. The pitch of the twisted pairs is not specified in the standard.

=== Environmental ratings ===
<!-- An improvement would be a more detailed description on these certifications. -->
{{split|Twisted pair|date=June 2023|section=section|reason=Applies not only Cat 5, but to all communication cabling}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ United States and Canada fire certifications<ref name="belden_com-22Technical_Information">{{cite web |url=http://www.belden.com/pdfs/03Belden_Master_Catalog/22Technical%2520Information_Glossary/22Technical_Information.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020190937/http://www.belden.com/pdfs/03Belden_Master_Catalog/22Technical%20Information_Glossary/22Technical_Information.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-10-20 |title=Technical Information |page=22.20 |publisher=[[Belden (electronics company)|Belden]] }}</ref>
|-
! Class !! Phrase !! Description !! Standards
|-
| LSZH || Communications low-smoke zero halogen || || NES‑711, NES‑713, MIL‑C‑24643, UL&nbsp;1685
|-
| CMP || Communications plenum || Insulated with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and polyethylene (PE) and jacketed with low-smoke polyvinyl chloride (PVC), due to better flame test ratings. || [[Canadian Standards Association|CSA]]&nbsp;FT6<ref name="CSA Flame Test">{{cite web |url=http://www.pacificcabling.com/Information/Information_other/flame_test_ratings.htm |title=CSA Flame Test Ratings |access-date=2013-05-12}}</ref> or [[National Fire Protection Association|NFPA]]&nbsp;262 ([[Underwriters Laboratories|UL]]&nbsp;910)
|-
| CMR || Communications riser || Insulated with high-density polyolefin and jacketed with low-smoke polyvinyl chloride (PVC). ||
[[Underwriters Laboratories|UL]]&nbsp;1666
|-
| CMG || Communications general purpose || || CSA&nbsp;FT4
|-
| CM || Communications || Insulated with high-density polyolefin, but not jacketed with PVC and therefore is the lowest of the three in flame resistance. || UL&nbsp;1685 (UL&nbsp;1581, Sec. 1160) Vertical-Tray
|-
| CMX || Communications residential || || UL&nbsp;1581, Sec. 1080 {{no wrap|(VW-1)}}
|-
| CMH || || || CSA&nbsp;FT1
|}

Some cables are ''UV-rated'' or ''UV-stable'' meaning they can be exposed to outdoor [[UV]] radiation without significant degradation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CIBSE |date=2000 |title=Understanding Building Integrated Photovoltaics - CIBSE TM25 - 5.8 Legislation. The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). |url=https://app.knovel.com/hotlink/pdf/id:kt00U1HQK1/understanding-building/detailed-t-legislation |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=app.knovel.com}}</ref><!-- Any document stating the UV [nm] spectrum, intensity [Watt/meter<sup>2</sup>], exposure time [hours] would be useful, rather than just the loose term "UV-rated". -->

Plenum-rated cables are slower to burn and produce less smoke than cables using a mantle of materials like PVC. Plenum-rated cables may be installed in [[plenum space]]s where PVC is not allowed.<ref name="sawaal_ibibo_com-what-are-the-differences-between-pvc-riser-and-plenum-rated-cables-154825">{{cite web|title=What are the differences between PVC, riser and plenum-rated cables? |url=http://sawaal.ibibo.com/computers-and-technology/oldest-answers/what-are-the-differences-between-pvc-riser-and-plenum-rated-cables-154825.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713001358/http://sawaal.ibibo.com/computers-and-technology/oldest-answers/what-are-the-differences-between-pvc-riser-and-plenum-rated-cables-154825.html |archive-date=2011-07-13 |url-status=dead}}{{self-published source|date=April 2018}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=April 2018}}

Shielded cables ([[Foiled twisted pair#Cable shielding|FTP or STP]]) are useful for environments where proximity to [[Radio frequency|RF equipment]] may introduce [[electromagnetic interference]], and can also be used where [[eavesdropping]] likelihood should be minimized.<!-- Data on typical interference emission and sensitivity would be beneficial. Measure unit or three? -->

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Citation | last = Trulove | first = James | date = December 19, 2005 | title = LAN wiring | edition = 3rd | publisher = McGraw-Hill Professional | isbn = 0-07-145975-8}}

{{UTP Cable Standards}}
{{Telecommunications}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Category 5 Cable}}
[[Category:Ethernet cables]]
[[Category:Transmission lines]]