While the internet is pretty much commonplace around the world, understanding the different ethernet cables can make people dizzy. People may suggest you use a Cat8 cable, but unless you understand why you could miss out on all the amazing benefits they offer. To people unfamiliar with the different ethernet cables, they’re all the same. To someone who understands the differences between cat6, cat7, and cat8 cable they are not all created equal.
Let’s see if we can clear up some of the confusion between cat6, cat7, and cat8 cable.
Cat6 Ethernet Cable
Cat6 ethernet cables are compatible with their predecessors, the Cat5 and Cat5e cable. The cat6 cable can support a data rate of up to 1 gigabit per second which means that it can easily support 10 gigabit ethernet connection within restricted distances. This distance is up to 180 feet. After that a bridge or networking device is required for proper function.
Signals of up to 250 MHz in frequency can be sustained, which is how often the signal can run through the cable. Cat6 cable is basically composed of four pairs of copper wire terminating with an RJ-45 connector. It is backwards compatible with cat5 cable predecessors.
Cat7 Cable
The cat 7 ethernet cable accommodates high speed communications up to 10 gigabits per second. It transmits signals of up to 600 MHz in frequency. The length is 100 meters or nearly 328 feet. Cat7 ethernet cable wires are required to be twisted and fully shielded. They are known as either screen shielded twisted pair (SSTP) or screen foiled twisted pair (SFTP). The best thing about this is that it eliminates crosstalk and improves noise resistance for higher speeds with a longer distance. This is important for things like converting a house into a smart home.
Cat8 Cable
Cat8 cable is a 30 meter, 2 connector channel with a bandwidth frequency up to 2,000 MHz. It is leaps and bounds above its predecessors and for those who refuse to compromise on speed or technical capabilities. The cat8 cable supports 40 gigabits per second of data transfer, far superior to the cat6 or cat7 and its noise resistance is also a huge improvement.
It is limited to 30 meters or 98 feet and may require a bridge for longer connections. What the cat8 cable lacks in distance it makes up for in overall performance. It is also a shielded wire which can be terminated in RJ-45 or non-RJ45. It is additionally backwards compatible with previous cat7 cable versions.
Cat8 Cable is Best for Business
The cat8 cable is best for overall performance and is quickly becoming the gold star for home office and business. Its higher bandwidth, higher transmission speed, and better performance eliminate common headaches business owners want to avoid. Cat8 cable is a little pricier but it makes up for the price in performance and speed. Cat8 cable is an investment for your office space or business and you will see a very obvious return on that investment.
