Which ethernet (CAT) cable should I use with my camera? – Swann

The CAT cables in Swann NVR kits vary based on series because of the number of wired pairs needed for their cameras to work:

Camera Series	RJ45 Video cable	Wires
Raysharp (NVR-8580/8780/8600)	Cat3	2-3 pairs
ADVANX	Says Cat5e (but wires are Cat3)	2-3 pairs
EliteX	Cat5e (T568B)	4 pairs (orange, blue, green & brown)
Swann UL-certified Cat5 cables	Cat5e (T568B)	4 pairs (orange, blue, green & brown)

The wires inside a Cat5e Ethernet cable differ in number and color for two main reasons:

1. Number of Wires

A Cat5e cable contains 8 individual wires, grouped into 4 twisted pairs.
These pairs are essential for reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk, which improves signal integrity.
Each pair carries differential signals, meaning one wire transmits a positive signal and the other a negative signal, which helps cancel out noise.

2. Color Coding

Having 4 pairs of colors follow the TIA/EIA-568 standard for structured cabling. T568A and T568B are the two common wiring standards for Ethernet cables (specifically for Category 5/5e/6 cables).
The 4 pairs are color-coded as either T568A or T568B wiring:
This color scheme ensures consistent wiring for connectors (RJ45 plugs) and patch panels, preventing miswiring and maintaining compatibility across networks.

Why Twisted Pairs and Colors Matter

Twisting reduces interference from external sources and between pairs.
Colors make installation and troubleshooting easier, ensuring correct pin assignments for standards like T568A or T568B.

FAQS

Can I use CAT5e or Cat6 ethernet cable if my kit came with CAT3?

Yes, you can use CAT5e or CAT6 cables instead of CAT3 for your camera system. Here’s why:

CAT5e and CAT6 are backward-compatible with CAT3 and support the same basic wiring standards.
They offer better performance, including higher bandwidth and reduced interference, which can improve signal stability if the cameras are higher than 4K.
For cameras using PoE (Power over Ethernet) or transmitting video data, CAT5e or CAT6 is actually recommended because CAT3 cannot handle PoE reliably.
The only consideration is that the connectors and pinouts must match your camera kit’s requirements (usually RJ45).
Using higher-grade cable won’t harm your system; it may even future-proof it. That's why Swann sells SWNHD-30MCAT5E and SWNHD-60MCAT5E cables.

Can I use the old cables from my NVR (e.g. NVR-8580/ NVR-ADVANX) with EliteX?

No. The cabling used with older Swann systems like the NVR-8580 kits or NVR-ADVANX series is not compatible with the EliteX system due to differences in cable technology, wiring standards, and data/power requirements. Although the connectors look the same, the EliteX system uses newer, higher-spec cabling standards for both power and video data. Older cables from previous kits weren’t designed for these requirements, so they won’t provide a reliable or working connection.

What are the differences between Cat3, Cat5e and Cat6?

Cat3, Cat5e, and Cat6 differ significantly in speed: Cat3 supports up to 10 Mbps which is sufficient from most NVR cameras up to 4K, Cat5e can handle speeds up to 1 Gbps, and Cat6 supports 1 Gbps over 100 meters and 10 Gbps over shorter distances (up to 55 meters).