Cat 7 Ethernet Cable FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions about Cat7)

Cat 7 Ethernet Cable FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions about Cat7)
What is Cat7 Ethernet Cable?
The Category 7 cable is an advanced data cabling solution. Cat7 has the ability of a range of transmission requirements such as Gigabit, 10 Gigabit, 40 GB, and 100 GB Ethernet setups. A Cat 7 cable offers performance up to 600MHz. Cat7a offer performance up to 1000Mhz. However, in many situations, it is still an unknown cable category in telecom networks. Tests have shown that it can transmit 40 Gb at 50 meters and also 100 Gb at 15 meters

What is the Cat7 Cable Specification?
Cat7 Ethernet cable is specified in the ISO / IEC standards as a "Class F " cable. This follows on from the previous Classes such as Cat5e - Class D, Cat6 - Class E, Cat6a - ClassEa. The specifications are to cover generic data cabling situations for a wide range of applications. Therefore, whatever the technology employed, they will all perform the same over a set standard of data cabling class rating

What is the Cat7 Cable Speed?
The Cat 7 was designed to support 10 Gbps Ethernet. However, certain tests have shown it to be much higher. Furthermore, showing capability for 40 Gbps and even 100 Gbps. The 100 GB capability has been tested to 15 meters – however, an exact setup of synchronized hardware will be required. It must be kept in mind however that these are lab tests and not standards set by the cabling standard authorities.
When comparing to previous categories, it is 6 times higher than Cat5e cabling (100 MHz), and 2.4 times higher than Cat6 (250 MHz). However, it is only a slight increase up from Cat6a which has a bandwidth of 500Mhz. Although, when considering Cat7a, the performance jump from Cat6a to Cat7a is double. Thus, 500Mhz to 1000Mhz

What is the Cat7 Max Length
Cat7 standards are standardised at a permanent link of 90 meters, the same as all previous categories. There is an allowance of 5 m patch leads at each end. A direct link of 100 m is also applicable. The Cat7 max length should be considered and adhered to in all designs. Outside of these distances, the performance of the cable will be unknown.

What is the Cat7 Connector?
A Cat7 connector looks in many ways similar to those of the previous data cabling categories. The RJ45 plug connector is still present. However, there are additional connection points within the termination connector. These new connectors are commonly known as TERA or GG45 connectors. These changes are replicated whether they are within a termination jack/modules, a termination plug, or a Cat7 patch cable. Also, the hardware used for transmitting and receiving must be capable of operating over these additional termination points. Therefore, a Cat7 cabling system is a large undertaking and consideration

Is Cat7 Backwards Compatible?
Cat7 connectors are very similar in look and nature to those of the previous data cabling categories. The connector has an RJ45 central connector as the previous cabling systems also do. However, there are 4 additional connectors within the connector to increase the transmission capabilities. These connectors are commonly known as TERA or GG45 connectors.
Due to the central RJ45 connector, Cat7 cabling will plug into the previous Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a systems.

Cat7 vs Cat6 and Cat7 vs Cat6a
How do we compare Cat7 vs Cat6? We have already seen that Cat7 has an increased bandwidth of 600Mhz and Cat7a, an increased bandwidth of 1000Mhz. Cat6 and Cat6a had previously been capable of 250Mhz and 500Mhz.
The construction of the Cat7 cable is also further advanced. It has greater shielding to protect better against EMI and alien crosstalk. Both of which hinder higher speed transmissions.

Cat7 vs Cat8 - What is the difference between Cat7 and Cat8
The first main difference between Cat7 vs Cat8 is the bandwidth. Cat7 Ethernet cable is rated at 600Mhz, Cat7 cable at 1000Mhz, and cat8 at 2000Mhz

Cat8 cable has a maximum Permanent Link Length of 24 meters and a max Channel length of 30 m when supporting 25Gbps and 40Gbps speeds. It is the first cable to be ratified at these distances. Therefore, the main difference in Cat7 vs Cat8 is the ability of Cat8 to be ratified for 25 Gigabit and 40 Gigabit

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