How long should CAT5 cable be at the max?

[Muerto]

The longest cables we have in our house right now are about 70 ft. They join three rooms. Is that too long? I've actually got a pretty sloppy network right now and I'm thinking of making some significant upgrades. How long should the be at the max? Thanks.

 

[Mark R]

The maximum length of cabling between 2 devices is 100 m for standard copper wiring (e.g. Cat5).

 

[Muerto]

Well then I'm way under the limit, 70 ft. is only 21 m. Thanks.

 

[loner]

Yep. You are fine as far as cable length goes. If you are cleaning your wiring up (and you are going to run it through walls/ceilings/attics/etc, spend some time in routing the cable. Especially focus on keeping the cable from running along electrical wiring (parallel with it) in order to reduce electrical interference.

 

[BuckMaster]

The total length of wire segments between a PC and a hub or between two PC's cannot exceed 100 Meters (328 feet or about the length of a football field) for 100BASE-TX and 300 Meters for 10BASE-T.

 

[Supergax]

If you plan on running through walls and around electrical lines or such I suggest STP (shielded twisted pair) to prevent interference. It really isn't that expensive compared to unshielded twisted pair, I got 80ft of stp for $23 bucks @ www.cableexpress.com

 

[Dark]

Buckmaster: It's 100m between 2 devices wheter for 10BaseT or 100BaseT. The total diameter is 205 for 100baseT and 2500 for 10baseT

 

[Cnuke]

Doesnt matter. 328.5 feet between devices for cat 5 data cabling it standard for 10 or 100. Will not pass Cat 5 testing if it is 1 inch over 328.5 feet. Will it work, I have seen it, but will not pass testing standards. Your answer is 328.5 between devices.

 

[ktwebb]

300 meters for 10BaseT? WHere did that number come from?

 

[Sir Fredrick]

Yes, it's 100m for 10baseT or 100baseTX, no difference.

 

[Gizmology]

Uhmm when it comes to passing tests, it depends on what "equipment" you are using to test with. I doubt he has a WaveTek (so)....

-Giz

 

[Sir Fredrick]

Maybe buckmaster was thinking of coax, isn't the limit for coax about 300m?

 

[Mark R]

Maximum length for RG58 coax (thin ethernet) is 185 m if I remember correctly.

Never had the opportunity to use 'thick' coax, so don't know anything about it.

 

[BuckMaster]

Heres the link were I found my information and use when making my own Cat5 cabling? So is the information off this website incorrrect? If so Id like to know.

How long should CAT5 cable be at the max?

 

[BreakApart]

Yes Buck that information is Wrong...

Here is cable length information on the CISCO site. They are the leaders in the networking industry. See Table 2-1

Find the section:
Cabling Considerations for Ethernet and Fast Ethernet Modules

Scroll down and find:
Table 2-1: Ethernet and Fast Ethernet Maximum Transmission Distances

Hope this helps...

 

[BuckMaster]

Thanks!