Products Overview - April 29, 2014
With copper structured cabling networks, it is important to specify the correct components which will handle the required application.
Both terms – class and category are both commonly used when referring to copper cabling networks, however they mean totally different things.
The class (or category link in American English) always applies to the installed link, the category as such applies only to one single component, e.g. the cable or the outlet;
The component for example a CAT6A jack is tested and verified by either the labs of the manufacturer or independent verification labs to confirm that the component meets the desired specification.
Specific components are required in order to ensure that Class specifications are met in the installed link. For example, Class EA networks which support up to 500MHz, are generally made up of CAT6A components.
Cabling classes according to ISO/IEC
Class D: frequency range up to 100 MHz,
for data rates up to 1 Gbps
Class E: frequency range up to 250 MHz,
for data rates up to 1 Gbps
Class EA: frequency range up to 500 MHz,
for data rates up to 10 Gbps
Class F: frequency range up to 600 MHz,
for multi-media applications
Class FA: frequency range up to 1,000 MHz,
for multi-media applications
Component categories according to ISO/IEC
Category 5: frequency range up to 100 MHz,
for data rates up to 1 Gbps
Category 6: frequency range up to 250 MHz,
for data rates up to 1 Gbps
Category 6A: frequency range up to 500 MHz,
for data rates up to 10 Gbps
Category 7: frequency range up to 600 MHz,
for multi-media applications
Category 7A: frequency range up to 1,000 MHz,
for multi-media applications