Can a cat6 connector work on a cat5e cable?

Data cabling has always been an integral part of internet and network systems. However, with technology advancing rapidly, new systems are being developed over time. Since latest versions are usually better in terms of performance, many people oftentimes want to upgrade to these latest versions. However, with the older cabling versions already in place, most people would want to know whether the newer versions can be integrated into the older ones. Cat 6 and Cat 5e cables are some of the latest versions of ethernet cables you will find. Therefore, can Cat 6 connectors work on Cat 5e cables? Read on for more on this.

Maybe- Connectors May Sometimes Be Backwards Compatible

Cat 6 connectors might just work on your Cat 5e cables. This is because during manufacture, most connectors are usually made to be backwards compatible with previous-model cables. However, keep in mind that you cannot use the connectors from older models on newer-version cables. This means that if you have Cat 6 cables, Cat 5e connectors won’t work. While the connectors can be backwards compatible, their combination with your Cat 5e cables has to be workable. To determine if they are workable, look at the conductor fit as well as the quality of the contact. The measurements of your cables and your connectors will also show you whether the combination of the two will be workable.

Does It Hold Securely?

The cable has to hold the connector securely. What affects the type of hold is the cable’s diameter. However, since sometimes homeowners are unaware of such measurements, you can do a simple test to determine whether the diameter of your Cat 5e cables is within a range that will securely hold the Cat 6 connectors. First, cut a small piece of the Cat 5e cable and insert it into your Cat 6 connector. Next, you will hand-crimp the connector. For the last step, which determines whether the cable holds the connector securely, you have to tug the connector and test its strain relief.

Do The Cable Diameters Match?

Generally, most cables would fit perfectly on Cat 6 connectors. However, connectors and even conductor wires are usually classified in terms of numbers. These numbers help group different sizes of connectors and conductor wires. When buying the Cat 6 connectors, be sure to check the numbers. The numbers have to match with the cable diameters. If you choose a number that is designed for cables with a lesser diameter, the combination may not work.

Conductor Size

The conductor size will also help you figure out whether a Cat 6 connector will work on a Cat 5e cable. It is important that the size of the conductor is perfect for the connection to not only work but to be reliable as well. If the conductors you used on your Cat 5e cables are small, then they won’t work well for your Cat 6 connectors. That is, they will shift in the channels of the connectors resulting in issues such as failure and open circuit.