Brief Overview of Cat 7 Cable
Cat 7 cables or Category 7 cables are a type of high-end patch cables for data transfer. This twisted pair cable is primarily used to achieve high-speed Ethernet connections, providing data transfer of over 1 Gigabit per second between computer networks, switches, and linked servers. The increasing dependency on the internet has resulted in a demand for high-speed data transfer and faster internet. Moreover, when the world is moving towards the ‘Internet of Things’ era, where almost every device can transmit valuable user data, it is becoming even more important to stay ahead with the high-speed ethernet cables. This can be done by using Cat 7 network communication cables when establishing a high-speed network setup.
The Category 7 Ethernet cables are primarily used in Gigabit Ethernet cabling infrastructure. These cables can provide up to 600 MHz performance. Hence, these cables are a great way of future-proofing the smart home network with high-speed cabling.
How are Cat 7 cables different from Cat 5 and Cat 6 cables?
Category 7 cables are different from its preceding standards of Ethernet cables, including Cat 6 and Cat 5 cables in many ways. The most important advantage of the Cat 7 cable is its shielding, which improves the noise resistance of the twisted cable significantly. While the Cat 7 cables are a more expensive option, they also have more durability and a longer lifespan than their previous standards. This can improve its overall return on investment, making this cabling the better wiring choice, keeping the future in mind.
While Category 6 cables can offer data transfer of up to 400 MHz with reduced crosstalk and noise over a distance of 55 yards, Cat 6A cables can provide a data transfer of up to 500 MHz with further improved noise and crosstalk resistance. On the other hand, Category 7 cables have additional improved bandwidth and better resistance to noise and crosstalk. These cables can be used for frequencies of roughly 600 MHz and provide a higher data transfer rate.
CAT 5 Cable
CAT 6 Cable
CAT 7 Cable
Cat 7 Cable Specifications
Specifications of the Cat 7 Ethernet cables are defined in the ISO/IEC 11801:2002 standards. This standard is also called the class F standard, and Category 7 cables are hence called ISO class F cables. The specifications of these cables dictate that wired connections should be:
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–Â Â Â Able to deliver specified data transfer rates over a specific distance
–Â Â Capable of meeting stringent criteria around blocking noise and crosstalk
–Â Â Guarantee a minimum lifespan for continuous operation
–Â Â Â Capable of coping with a range of problematic environmental hazards
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Category 7 Ethernet cables can support a data transfer rate of up to 10 Gbps. However, with a precise and compatible hardware setup, the data transfer rate of up to 100 Gbps can be achieved at a distance of 15 meters. To achieve the speed specifications of the Category 7 cable standards, cabling should be able to support the bandwidth of up to 600 MHz for 100 meters of copper wire.
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Why Choose Cat 7 Cables over Cat 6 cables?
For setting up an Ethernet connection, one gets an option to choose from Cat 5, Cat 6, and Cat 7 Ethernet cables. While each of these cables has its own data transfer speed over a specific distance, choosing the best type of cable should be based on the speed and frequency requirement, compatibility with equipment, and length of transmission. As Cat 7 Ethernet cables are the latest cabling standards of these options, they are the most preferred options of all. Here are a few reasons to choose Cat 7 Ethernet Cables over its preceding standards:
• Speed
For setting up an Ethernet network, it is important to take into account the prevalent network speed for the future. With the Ethernet set up, it should be used with upcoming networking and telecommunication generations. A few years ago, people chose to install Cat 6 Ethernet cables in the network rather than opting for Cat 5e standard cables. Now, Category 7 Ethernet cables can support data transfer of up to 10 Gbps. Moreover, these types of Ethernet cables are backward-compatible with Category 6 and Category 5e Ethernet standards.
• Transmission Frequency
While the Cat 6 cabling standard provides performance of around 250 MHz, and Cat 6a cabling provides a bandwidth of up to 500 MHz, the Category 7 Ethernet cables can provide a transmission frequency of around 600 M+Hz. The maximum cabling length of the Category 6 Ethernet cable is 100 meters, while the Category 7 cable is manufactured as a Gigabit Ethernet standard over 100 meters of cabling length.
• Better Copper Cross-Section
Cat 7 Ethernet cables can lower voltage drop and more power as these cables have a larger cross-section of copper than Category 5 and 6 cables. This also states that the individual cores of the cat 7 Ethernet cables are easier to work with.
• Double Shielding
The Cat 7 cables also feature stricter specifications for system noise and crosstalk than Cat 6 and Class E. To achieve these standards, the shielding is added to the individual pairs of wire and to the cable. Cat 7 Ethernet cables, with individual shielding for each pair, rely on the shielding and hence have paired with longer twists.
• Lowest Crosstalk and Least noise
With dual shielding in the Cat 7 Ethernet cables, the cables provide the least amount of crosstalk and noise. These cables provide better resistance to crosstalk and noise compared to the preceding standards of cabling.
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So, if the internet speed is beyond 1000 Mbps and requires a cable that supports higher bandwidth, the Cat 7 Ethernet cables are the best network cabling option. Moreover, according to the latest network development trends, Category 7 cables are the most appropriate cabling options for setting up a new ethernet network.
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The cabling can provide 100 Gigabits of data transfer at a distance of up to 15 meters and are backward-compatible with previous cabling standards for connecting the equipment and ports supporting previous standards. However, when Cat 7 is used with previous standards, the bandwidth and data transfer rate will depend on the equipment with the least standards.
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