What is the maximum frequency rating for Cat 5/5e cables?

The correct choice regarding the maximum frequency rating for Cat 5 and Cat 5e cables is 100 MHz. These cables are designed to support data transmission speeds up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) over short distances, primarily for local area networks (LANs). The 100 MHz frequency rating is adequate for the signal quality and transmission capabilities needed for typical applications, such as Ethernet networking.

Higher frequency cables, such as Cat 6 and Cat 6a, can support much greater frequency ratings and therefore higher data transfer speeds and aggregation over longer distances. This differentiation in cable categories is essential for network planning and performance, where the specific application requirements dictate the choice of cabling used.