Cat6 and Cat5

[tweeterandthemonkeyman]

Can you use a cat6 cable for something older that used cat5? Thanks.

 

[Kabelsalat]

Yes, you can. Just bear in mind that a cat6 cable is often more stiff and thicker can therefore may be harder to install and get past corners.

 

[Bluejets]

Yes, you can. Just bear in mind that a cat6 cable is often more stiff and thicker can therefore may be harder to install and get past corners.

shouldn't be a problem as properly installed cat5 or cat6 should have a minimum bend radius anyhow.

 

[tweeterandthemonkeyman]

Thank you both for the replies

 

[Ngineer]

CAT6 cable will be fine. It has better specs than CAT5 but typically costs 50% more.
If you haven't already purchased the cable, just use CAT5. It will be all that you need and you can even run Gigabit Ethernet over it.

 

[kpatz]

If you're running cables for network inside walls/ceilings, especially in new construction, I'd go with the highest category you can afford, for future proofing.

But, to answer your question, CAT6 is fine for CAT5 applications.