What can Cat5 / Cat6 cabling be used for?
Other than the typical applications of Cat5e and Cat6 cabling - data, telephony, IP networking, etc. - there are many other varied applications for Cat5e and Cat6 cabling
- Power Over Ethernet - Using POE (Power Over Ethernet) Data Switches, one Cat5e / Cat6 cable can be used to transmit both data and power to a device. The typical power output is up to 1.2 amps per device. This means that products that support POE can be deployed without the need of ensuring a power socket is near by. For example, there are a number of Wireless Access Points on the market that support POE and therefore only need to have a data outlet provided for them when considering location and cost. One POE Switch is typically capable of powering 24 POE devices at approx. 1.2 amps each.
. - Extend an Infra-red link over Cat5e / Cat6 - Use a powered Infra-red to Cat5 converter at each end of the cable to extend remote control functions to popular equipment. Example: Place a music system in one room of your house. Extend speakers to each room in your house that you want to be able to listen to music from. Place Infra-red receivers in each room that you wish to be able to control your equipment from. Place the other Infra-red module in the room where the equipment is located, pointing in the direction of your equipment. You will now be able to control your HiFi or other equipment from any room in your house! (Ref: KEENE)
. - Extend Keyboard, Mouse, and VGA Over Ethernet - You can use Cat5e / Cat6 to extend keyboards, mice, and video output from your computer to anywhere up to 150 metres away. This can allow you to have direct access to your Servers without the need of remote control software (some of which limit what you can do over the connection). (Ref: KEENE)
