You are installing networking wiring for a new Ethernet network at your company's main office building. The project specifications call for Category $5$ UTP network cabling and RJ$-45$ wall jacks. Near the end of the project, you run out of wire before the last few runs are complete. You have a spool of Category $3$ network cable in storage. Upon investigation, it appears very similar to Category $5$ wiring. Should you use Category $3$ cabling as a substitute for Category $5$ cabling to finish the project?

answer

No$,$ Category $5$ cabling uses a thicker copper wire than Category $3$ cable; enabling higher data transmission rates.

No$,$ Category $3$ cabling doesn't support RJ$-45$ connectors.

No$,$ the sheath surrounding Category $5$ cable is much thicker; creating an extra layer of shielding to reduce cross$-$talk and support higher data rates.

No$,$ Category $5$ cabling has more twists per inch than Category $3$ cabling to reduce cross$-$talk and support higher data rates.

Yes, you can use Category $3$ cabling as a substitute for Category $5$ cabling, as they are electrically identical.