What's the difference between cat5 & 6 PLUGs?

[Cooky]

I thought all the connectors are the same, but apparently there's a different kind for
cat6

Here's the link to cat5

What's the difference and which one should I get??

We're running cat6 cables so logically we'd opt for the cat6 plug, however, we've run into problems w/ plugs that require a seperate insert that guide the cable ends into the plug. They don't crimp well and we'd get signal loss all the time.

 

[spidey07]

you shouldn't be crimping ends on anyway as it just leads to problems. Follow the code/specifications for installing network cabling to make it run properly.

the difference is cat6 separates the pairs within the plug.

 

[Cooky]

This is just for temporary runs when we're doing building remodeling.
After it's all finished we'll punch them down.

I've always wanted to ask:
what's that hard plastic in the cat6 cable jacket? there wasn't such a thing in cat5's.

 

[spidey07]

it keeps the pairs separate to reduce crosstalk. It also twists as well.

keep in mind that cat5/5e and cat6 are not interchangable. cat6 uses larger copper wires.

 

[Cooky]

When you said cat 5 & 6 are not interchangable, do you mean the plugs are not interchangable??
We noticed it's really hard to push the cat6 ends into the cat5 plugs, maybe that's why...
I think all it does is not meeting the EIA/TIA cat6 standard.

 

[spidey07]

not interchangable meaning you can't use cat5/5e ends on cat6 cable and vice versa.