CAT3, or Category 3, is a type of unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable that is commonly used for telephone and data communication. It is an older standard that is capable of carrying data at speeds up to 10 Mbps, making it suitable for basic voice and low-speed data applications.
CAT3 cable typically consists of four twisted pairs of copper wires and is often used for telephone wiring within buildings. It can also support some Ethernet networks, particularly older 10BASE-T installations.
While CAT3 was once a widely used standard, it has been largely surpassed by newer technologies such as CAT5, CAT6, and CAT6a, which offer higher data transmission speeds and better performance. Therefore, it is important to consider your specific communication needs when choosing the appropriate type of cable for your application.