CCTV CABLE CAT5 & CAT 6

Home CCTV CABLE CAT5 & CAT 6

CCTV CABLE CAT5 & CAT 6



Description

For CCTV installations, copper-based CAT 5 and CAT 6 cables are both widely used, with each offering specific advantages depending on application needs and performance requirements.​

Key Features of Copper CAT 5 & CAT 6 Cables

  • Both CAT 5 and CAT 6 cables for CCTV applications should always be pure copper (not copper-clad aluminum) to ensure longevity, signal stability, and safety.​

  • These cables can deliver video, data, and power, depending on the CCTV setup and accessories like baluns or POE (Power Over Ethernet) injectors.​

CAT 5 vs CAT 6 for CCTV

Feature Copper CAT 5 Cable Copper CAT 6 Cable
Bandwidth Up to 100 MHz​ Up to 250 MHz​
Data Rate Up to 100 Mbps (Cat 5) / 1 Gbps (Cat5e)​ Up to 10 Gbps (short runs), 1 Gbps up to 100 m​
Conductor Size Typically 24 AWG​ Typically 23 AWG (thicker)​
Crosstalk Protection Basic Enhanced (plastic separator, tighter twists)​
Maximum Length 100 meters standard 100 meters standard​
Usage in CCTV Standard, older/lower-res cameras and short runs​ Preferred for high-res/IP cameras, future-proofing​
 
 

Recommendations for CCTV Installations

  • Always choose pure copper (not CCA) for best signal quality and reliability.​

  • CAT 5e can handle standard analog or IP cameras up to 100 meters, but for long cable runs or high-resolution (HD/4K) cameras, CAT 6 is superior due to higher bandwidth and reduced interference.​

  • Both cable types support Power Over Ethernet (POE), which is common in modern CCTV setups.​

Commercial Availability

  • Pure copper CAT 6 cables for CCTV are widely available in shielded/unshielded variants and commonly sold in 100/305 meter boxes.​

  • Hybrid options (combined with power wires) like 3+1, 4+1 CCTV cables are prevalent, but for IP CCTV, standalone CAT 5e/CAT 6 is standard.​

CCTV CABLE CAT5 & CAT 6

© 2019 - 2025. Welight. All Rights Reserved.

Instagram Facebook