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Comparing Cat5 & Cat6 Plugs

How to Visually Identify Cat5e and Cat6 Plugs

To maintain transmission characteristics and network integrity, it's essential to use the correct type of patch-cord to match the installation. A network port will perform only at the level of the LOWEST-rated component in the chain. If a Cat-5 or Cat-5E patch-cord is used in a Cat-6 system, only Cat-5 or Cat-5E specifications will be achieved for that circuit.

To distinguish a Cat-6 plug from a Cat-5 or a Cat-5E plug, just simply look at the way the cable's wires have been terminated at the end of the plug.

Cat5 / Cat5e Plug (Single Row)

A Cat5e plug showing all eight wires terminated in a single row.

A Cat-5 or a Cat-5E plug will ALWAYS have all eight wires in a single row.

Cat6 Plugs (Staggered Rows)

A Cat6 plug will have the wires staggered in two rows to reduce crosstalk. This can appear in a few different layouts:

Staggered 4x4 Layout

A Cat6 plug showing wires staggered in two rows of four.

The majority of Cat-6 plugs will have wires in two rows with four wires per row.

Staggered 6x2 Layout

A Cat6 plug showing wires staggered with six wires on top and two on the bottom.

Some Cat-6 plugs will have wires in two rows with 6 wires in the top row and 2 wires in the bottom row.

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