How to Choose Solid or Stranded Cat5e Cable

Cat5e solid conductors are for distribution (typically) whereas stranded conductors are usually reserved for flexible needs such as patch cords and cables. Cat5e cable is still limited to a maximum of 328 ft (100 m) in length that should include the length of patch cables that interconnect equipment. Cat 5e cable performance characteristics and test methods are defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001.  AWG conductor sizing is typically 24, comes in pairs of 4, and UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair).

When using network cable such as this is used in areas of likely ambient interference that would slow performance from the 350 MHz bandwidth and degrade 100 Mbps (100BASE-TX) potential performance, then Cat5e Shielded Cable is recommended and you would look for the STP moniker that indicates Shielded Twisted Pair.