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For a home network with a 1 Gbit router Cat 6 is enough. Planning a 10 Gbit switch and NAS in the next 5 years: Cat 6a or Cat 7.
The standard 8-pin ethernet connector. RJ45 is physically identical across Cat 5e/6/6a — only the internal wire spec varies.
UTP is fine for most homes. In rooms with many Wi-Fi routers FTP gives a more stable link — the price gap is small.
Standardised up to 100 m in one run. For longer distances you need a switch or repeater in between.
PoE for IP cameras and VoIP works from Cat 5e. For PoE++ 90 W the cable should have pure copper conductors — no CCA — otherwise it overheats.
Guide & know-how
Ethernet cables at RPD — from compact 0.25 m patch leads to 30 m runs for home wiring. Our Cat 6 cables deliver 1 GbE on every length and 10 GbE up to 55 m, Cat 6a and Cat 7 guarantee 10 GbE on the full 100 m. All with the classic RJ45 connector, backwards-compatible with every switch, router, modem and Mac notebook with an ethernet adapter. Ships from our Basel warehouse, same-day dispatch by 4 pm, free above CHF 15 and 2-year Swiss warranty. Invoice payment available (credit check by Powerpay).
Standard home network with 1 Gbit router: Cat 6 is the ideal pick — affordable, backwards-compatible, hits 10 GbE up to 55 m. With a 10 Gbit switch or a NAS with 10 GbE card: Cat 6a or Cat 7 for full 10 GbE over 100 m. Fiber to the Home (FTTH) via the modem hands out a 1 Gbit RJ45 signal — Cat 6 is enough. Cat 8 is datacenter grade and overkill for 99 % of homes.
Cat 5e = 1 GbE up to 100 m, old standard, only in legacy wiring. Cat 6 = 1 GbE up to 100 m, 10 GbE up to 55 m, thicker shielding, best value. Cat 6a = 10 GbE up to 100 m, shielded (S/FTP), server rooms. Cat 7 = 10 GbE up to 100 m, fully shielded with GG45/TERA — strictly speaking Cat 7 does not use RJ45 — common „Cat 7“ RJ45 cables are really Cat 6a at Cat 7 level. Cat 8 = 25/40 GbE up to 30 m, datacenter.
All standards are backwards-compatible — a Cat 6a cable works on a Cat 5e router. PS5 / Xbox Series X / Apple TV 4K use gigabit ethernet, Cat 6 is enough. NAS systems with a 10 GbE card (Synology DS1823xs+, QNAP TS-h973AX) and workstation PCs with 10 GbE need Cat 6a/7. MacBook without RJ45 port (since 2016) needs a USB-C ethernet adapter — Apple and Anker adapters support gigabit, some premium models 10 GbE.
The categories are UTP (unshielded), FTP/F/UTP (foil overall shield), STP/S/FTP (per-pair foil + overall braid). UTP is fine for homes without strong EM sources, S/FTP is mandatory in offices with many devices. LSZH jackets (halogen-free) are the fire-safety standard for rented spaces — no hydrochloric gas in a fire. Pure copper conductors (no CCA — copper-clad aluminium) guarantee full data rate and PoE current capacity.
Shipped from our Basel warehouse — A-Post 1–2 working days, express next business day or free pickup in Basel, Aarau or Olten (same-day Switzerland-wide for orders before 4 pm). 2 years Swiss warranty on all products, 14-day returns. Invoice payment available (credit check by Powerpay), best-price guarantee CH. Where possible we use recycled materials and sustainable packaging. Visit one of our three stores for personal advice — bring your device and we will find the matching accessory together.
