Cat 7 & Cat 8 cable assemblies shore up copper

The rapid development of the Ethernet system and its cabling requirements have positioned fiber-optic technology, which has advantages of bandwidth, speed, distance and reliability, as the interconnect standard that will replace traditional copper wires.

However, thanks to Cat 7 specifications and the latest Cat 8, copper cables remain a practical alternative to their advanced but still costly optical counterparts. Especially in the last-mile connection, they offer none of the bending challenges associated with fiber solutions, which in the latter result in signal attenuation and possible damage.

For this reason, manufacturers of networking cables in China expect to stick with the copper category for the foreseeable future. They are looking to increase output for Cat 7 and Cat 8 products, eyeing wider adoption in data centers.

Cat 8 cable assemblies operate at up to 2,000MHz bandwidth and support a transmission speed as fast as 40Gbps at maximum length of 30m. Cat 7 types have up to 600MHz and 10Gbps over distances of 100m.

For the majority of Chinese suppliers, Cat 5e, Cat 6 and Cat 6a cable assemblies are still the staple selections dominating shipments. Cat 7 and Cat 8 units, meanwhile, represent 20 to 30 percent, a share that is expected to increase amid rising demand.

Most manufacturers interviewed by Global Sources Electronic Components are counting on sustained sales growth over the next one or two years.

Shenzhen Fengshunke Cable Technology Co. Ltd says it is ready to boost production and exports when more orders come in. It continues to turn out Cat 5e, Cat 6 and Cat 6a cable assemblies, which form the bulk of shipments, with Cat 7 and Cat 8 models accounting for 10 percent. The supplier allocates 10 percent of output for overseas destinations.

The hundreds of manufacturers of Cat 7 and Cat 8 cable assemblies in China also offer related interconnects, including connectors. Most export 30 to 80 percent of production abroad, with some between 90 and 100 percentof output. The key overseas markets include Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. There are companies that also ship to the Middle East and South America.

As with most electronics suppliers, many can be found in the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta, specifically in the cities of Shenzhen, Dongguan and Zhongshan. A number of others are based in Changzhou, Suzhou and Ningbo. More companies are expected to venture into connectors and cable assembly manufacturing and flock to these areas.

Common specifications

Mainstream Cat 8 cable assemblies from Chinese suppliers have four pairs of 22AWG copper and are available in lengths of up to 30m. In the Cat 7 category, four pairs of coppers are also used but in 23AWG. Maximum cable length is 100m.

Both cable types use foil and braided shielding, and have PVC jackets. These are terminated with RJ-45 connectors.

Most companies secure relevant safety approvals, such as CE and UL, for their products. They also comply with RoHS requirements.

Customization is generally accepted, orders based on which account for 20 to 30 percent of shipments for the majority of manufacturers interviewed.

Copper wires, aluminum foil, PVC and RJ-45 connectors are the main materials and components used in the production of Cat 7 and Cat 8 cable assemblies. These are sourced domestically. Some companies make the plugs in-house.

Input costs are expected to remain stable in 2021, but product prices may decrease slightly as more cable assembly suppliers boost output for Cat 7 and Cat 8 types.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our market analyst for representing current trends in Cat 7 and Cat 8 cable assemblies from China makers.

Cat 7 cable assembly uses HDPE insulation

Dongguan Chang'An Feiyue Electronics Fty's model C7SSTP-001 Cat 7 cable assembly has 28AWG bare-copper conductors, HDPE insulation, aluminum or Mylar shielding and PVC jacket.

The 1,000-unit minimum order has a 10-day lead time.

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Cat 7 cable assembly has gold-plated contacts

Model HR-C25F Cat 7 cable assembly from Honorstand Technology Co. Ltd supports up to 600MHz bandwidth. It has RJ-45 plugs with 50µ gold-plated contacts, and a stranded cable with 100 percent bare-copper conductors in 30AWG and four-UTP structure.

An order of at least 10 units is delivered within five days.

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1 to 5m Cat 8 cable assembly

This Cat 8 cable assembly from Shenzhen Fengshunke Cable Technology Co. Ltd, the Cat8 SSTP Patch Cord, has pure-copper conductors with an aluminum foil shielding. It has passed a fluke test, and meets TIA 568A/568B, ETL and RoHS requirements. Available lengths include 1, 2, 3 and 5m.

The supplier requires a minimum order of 1,000 units. Delivery takes seven days.

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Cat 7 cable assembly uses 32AWG wire

In 1, 2 and 3m lengths, this Cat 7 cable assembly from Shenzhen Mark Technology Co. Ltd, the DHC-CAT7-FLAT, has a cable with 32AWG bare-copper conductors, and is terminated with shielded 8P8C RJ-45 plugs.

The negotiable order quantity has a seven-day delivery lead time.

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