Modern-day means modern technology, and modern technology means a rapid increase in various electrical demands. The different digital needs require new items now and then.
The words RJ45 and CAT5 belongs to the world of cables. These are sometimes confused with being synonymous, but in reality, these are two different items with different functions.
RJ45 vs CAT5
The difference between RJ45 and CAT5 is that RJ45 means electrical interconnection standards that is a connector whereas CAT5 is a standard related to the ethernet cables. CAT5 is easily replaceable, which makes managing them more manageable. In contrast, replacing RJ45 is difficult.
RJ45 gets their name from the abbreviation “RJ” meaning registered jack. Its functions have changed and got better with time. It is a type of telephone connector. They are very commonly used for the ethernet networking.RJ45 cables are capable of working in short as well as long distances. It consists of 8 colours of wires with eight different pins.
CAT5 cables stand for category 5 cables. This type of cable is a twisted pair cable that is used in computer networking. It is widely used for office home purposes. These are further divided into two types, i.e. stranded CAT5 and solid CAT5 cables.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | RJ45 | CAT5 |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | RJ45 is a kind of connector and is included in the definitions of telephone connectors. | It is a twisted pair cable used in computer networks. |
| Uses | It is used to control how the cables are wired to the end. | It is used to control the maximum amount of speed that one can achieve with the cable wires. |
| Appearance | It contains eight different coloured wires and 8 pins. | It contains four twisted colour coded cables. |
| Fields | It is used by the hardware manufacturers. | It used by the people all around the world for various purposes. |
| Management | Difficult to manage. | Easy to manage. |
What is RJ45?
The term RJ45 has its source from the abbreviation “RJ” which means registered jack. In the beginning, it provided an interconnecting standard for telecommunication.
However, with the time, its functions changes, and now it is used in the field of computer networking. RJ45 is a kind of connector and is included in the definitions of telephone connectors.
It is however slightly wider than the telephone plugs.
RJ45 connectors are often used for ethernet networking. Ethernet cables can also be called as RJ45 cables as they have an RJ45 connector on each end.
These connectors have eight coloured wires and 8different pins. Out of these, four wires are solid colours whereas the other four are striped.
T568A and T568B are the two wiring schemes, used to terminate the twisted pair cable onto the connector interface. RJ45 is workable for short as well as long distance.
Along with ethernet protocol, they are even practical for ATM and serial ISDN T-1 and E-1.
In an internet interface, only four wires out of the 8 EJ45 wires takes part in the communication process. Whereas the 1st and 2nd pins are used for data, and pin 3rd and 4th pins are used for data receival.
However, in serial ISDN protocols, all pins take part in the communication. In case of absence of a router, switch or hub, it can be used for direct node to node connections.
What is CAT5?
CAT5 stands foe category 5 cable, which is a twisted pair cable used in computer networks. This cable has four twisted-pair od insulated copper wires and is terminated by an RJ45 connector.
It is also known as ethernet cable or LAN cable and category5 cables. CAT5 cable is widely used in offices as well as home networks. It provides up to 100 MBps of data transmission.
This cable is usually recommended to have a maximum length of 100 meters as a length more than this without proper aid can create various network issues.
T568A and T568B are the two of the standards that are for the order of the this wire. CAT5 can carry telephony and video.
The modular connector and the punch down blocks are generally used to connect the CAT5 cable.
There are mainly two types of CAT5 cables, i.e. the standard CAT5 cable and the solid CAT5 cable. Standard CAT5 is designed to be practical for short distance ranges.
Solid CAT5, on the other hand, is intended to be functional for longer distance ranges such as data centres, office buildings etc.
CAT5 cables are connected to the end of the devices like laptops, switch, routers, etc., with the help of connects.
Difference Between RJ45 and CAT5
- RJ45 is a type of connector which provides for the arrangement of wires at the end of a cable. In comparison, CAT5 is a standard related to the ethernet cable.
- RJ45 are used to control how the cables are wired to the end; on the other hand, CAT5 controls the maximum amount of speed that one can achieve with the cable wires.
- CAT5 is quite easily replaceable and hence making its management more effortless. At the same time, RJ45 is more challenging to replace.
- In terms of appearance, RJ45 is a device with eight different coloured wires and 8 pins. Whereas CAT5 contains four twisted colour coded cables with a maximum length of 100 meters.
- CAT5 cables are being used by the people all around the world for various purposes. In contrast, RJ45 is used in the world by the hardware manufacturers.
References
- https://www.osapublishing.org/abstract.cfm?uri=ACP-2010-798910
- https://cds.cern.ch/record/684689/files/lhcb-2001-044.pdf
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I am Sandeep Bhandari; I have 20 years of experience in the technology field. I have various technical skills and knowledge in database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about me on my bio page.
