If your company uses a local area network (LAN), then they are most likely using a cat cable of some type to network their computers. By gaining some cat cable education and training, you can help your company reduce costs by keeping the work in-house.

Cat cables consist of twisted copper and can carry high-speed transmissions of data. Looking at cat cables compared, there are four categories that are still in use today: cat 5 cable, cat 5e cable, cat 6 cable and cat 7 cable. Deciding which one to use for a particular business comes down to certain considerations:

1. How fast the cat cable needs to carry information

2. How long the cabling will need to be

3. How much the business can afford to spend on cat cable for the network

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand exactly what a cat cable is and how to compare the different kinds

This is also sometimes called Ethernet cable. Cabling is a huge industry and there are many types out there. In addition to wanting to know what cat cable is versus other types of cable (like fiber optics), you'll also want to know the difference in speeds and capacities of various types of cat cable.

I recommend: WiseGeek has a great description of cat 5 cable. Search Data Center has an excellent table that compares the various categories of twisted pair cabling in terms of both maximum data rate and usual application.

Consider installing a cat 5 network

For most businesses a cat 5 network or cat 5e network provides sufficient speed in data transmission. If your building is not huge, it may be possible to install cat 5 network cable yourself with the help of online guides.

I recommend: Electric Toolbox offers tips on how to install a cat 5 network. An article on Fluke Networks explains the importance of testing your network cabling once it’s in place.

Get certified in an area relevant to cat cables info

Certification tests can be difficult to pass, so make sure you study and prepare for it adequately. It's a worthwhile investment though, as your current employer and all future employers will see your certification as an asset.

I recommend: The Building Industry Consulting Service International, Inc. (BICSI) has created an ITS Cabling Installation Program, which went through a complete overhaul in 2008. The exam includes a written test, as well as a hands-on test. For more information on the changes to the program, check out Cabling Installation & Maintenance's descriptions of the updates.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There are a lot of places that sell study guides for the BICSI exams. Since these can vary greatly in cost and effectiveness, make sure to check out reviews and look at several different options before purchasing.

A cat 5 cable, short for category 5 cable, is most commonly used for ethernet, voice service and ATM connections. Containing up to 4 twisted pairs of copper wires, a cat 5 patch cable provides a high signal-to-noise ratio, unlike that of other cables, and makes it ideal for fast transmissions no matter what the application. The wires are typically safety coated with PVC -- or polyvinyl chloride. If you're looking to purchase cat 5 cables for your business, keep in mind that though the cat 5 patch cables are typically easy to fix or inexpensive to replace, they have a maximum length of 100 feet and there are now faster versions like the cat 6 cable and the cat 7 cable.

Look into the following before making a decision:

1. Cables for a basic cat 5 network

2. Extenders for the cat 5 network cable

3. The cat 6 cable

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy or replace your cat 5 network cable cheaply

Even if you have solid skills to repair your cat 5 cable -- essentially stripping the damaged area and re-tipping it -- using cables in good or perfect condition is ideal, especially if you want to make safety and performance a priority. Plus, new cat 5 cables come in a variety of colors which will make it easy to identify ethernet lines in case you need to reorganize your office or quickly identify your cat 5 network cables for any reason.

I recommend: Shop GreatCables.com for a wide selection of cat 5 cables and buy in bulk for the biggest price breaks. For same-day shipping on U.S.-made cat 5 cables in both blue and grey contact Cables To Go.

Look for extenders and get more use from your cat 5 cable

Though the choice of your cat cable and its applications vary greatly, most cat cables come in standard lengths. Since cat cables longer than 350 feet can hinder diagnosing potential problems with the cables, many companies manufacture extenders. Individual extenders are small but are more expensive than the cables themselves but can solve both problems that could occur with diagnostics as well as the frustrations that come with having too many cables or cords in one area.

I recommend: Both Black Box Network Services and KVM Switches Online offer cat 5 network cable extenders for multimedia use.

Get twice the speed with a cat 6 cable

A cat 6 cable offers an even higher signal-to-noise ratio than cat 5 cables. And though a cat 6 cable or a cat 7 cable is typically manufactured with heavier gauge wire than a cat 5 cable and offers less system noise, there are also limitations on their length -- the longest is 330 feet in length. The connectors to which they attach are also less common than those of cat 5 cables.

I recommend: For cat 6 cable needs, buy several colors by-the-foot through Control Cable Inc.. Comtrad Cables offers a bulk pack of cat 6 cables for a deep discount.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A cat 5 ethernet cable is the best choice for home use. Whether you use it in a home office application or for recreational computer applications, components for a cat 5 cable can also be used with home video electronics as well as with some newer model appliances.