What do each of the 8 wires in an Ethernet cable 'do' (functions?)? And which ones do which?

Question

Please specify any additional details and/or technical information.

The one I'm using is a: Category 5E 350Mhz 24 AWG 4-Pair UTP Stranded Patch Cable CM(UL). What do those numbers mean?

I know that it's the same one that pretty much all cable-modems use, but do those numbers (on the cable) indicate any factors that have been modified for purposes of enhancing transmission or for being cheap (saving money)?

Do any of the eight actually carry any current? If so, is it a signifigant amount? What 'kind' of electricity and/or information travels through these wires?

Answer 1

Well I will try to make this very simple. Cat5E is just a category of cable.  if my memory serves me correctly, the latest category is Cat6.  I'm not sure what the AWG is but the 4-pair means there are 4 pairs of twisted wires (8 total wires).  all of these wires are not used unless you are running gigabit ethernet.  Typically, only 4 wires are actually used.  unless you are a networking professional, the numbers really don't matter.  all that you should know is that a Cat5e segment of cable is usable up to 100meters.  after that, it may or may not work but it is not reliable.

this is what's called a "Straigh through" cable.  Straight through cable connects different devices (computer to router, switch to router, etc).  There is a cross over cable which connects like devices (computer to computer).  The thrid kind is a roll over cable which is used to configure Cisco routers.  

As for current, i would really call it current.  the cable transfers data.  granted, this data is in the for of electrical signals (on or off) because computers can only read on and off or 1s and 0s.  so technically there is electricity but it's not enough to electricute someone.  it's just data for the computer to read.  

I found a website that may help you understand it a little better.

Answer 2

as far as home use router/modem normal computing only  4 wires (2-pair) are used. The other 4 are mainly when you are getting into the 1gb transfer speeds and cat6 or higher cabling. THanks

Answer 3

pins 1,2,3 and 6 are your transmit and recieve pins. The others are not used unless you are using POE

5E is a standard, 350 is frequency, 24AWG is gauge or thickness of cable, 4 pair means it has 4 pairs or 8 wires, UTP means unsheilded twisted pair.

Voltage across ethernet for data transmission is low, POE uses up to 48VDC

Since 5E is a standard it has minimum requirements it must meet.

Answer 4

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