What is the maxiumum distance for a CAT5E Cable?

What is the maxiumum distance for a CAT5E Cable?

• 11 Meters
• Infinite
• 100 Meters
• 30 Meters 

EXPLANATION

1000BASE-T (also known as IEEE 802.3ab) is a standard for gigabit Ethernet over copper wiring.

Each 1000BASE-T network segment can be a maximum length of 100 meters (328 feet), and must use Category 5 cable or better (including Cat 5e and Cat 6).

 The standards for Cat 5e and Cat 6 call for a maximum run length of 90 meters or 295 feet. While you may make a longer run and get it to work, this is not recommended. Even if problems don't show up immediately, they may come up later as your computers are upgraded to transmit faster or your network is expanded. If you must make a longer run, you can either put a signal repeater in the middle of the line or you can make your long run with fiber optic cable.
If your run is between 295 and 590 feet, the repeater option may be the best option for you. A switch or hub will act as a repeater. Make sure that you locate it in such a way that both runs on either side of the repeater are within the 90 meter standard. It won't do much good to split a 500 foot run into two runs of 100 and 400 feet.

If your run is longer than 590 feet or if most of the run is outside, fiber optic may be your best option. You'll need a media converter or fiber fed switch at each end of the fiber run to convert your network signals back and forth between electrical signals on copper and light pulses on fiber. If you are running fiber optic cable underground, you'll need to protect the delicate glass fibers inside the jacket by running it through a conduit or by using armored fiber optic cable.