Cat 7 & Cat 8 networking cables shore up copper

Global SourcesUpdated on 2023/12/01

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by Cecile de Veyra (Managing Editor)

Image source: Getty

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 and Cat 8 specifications, 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, including 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 center network cabling.

Cat 8 cables 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.

Cat 5e, Cat 6 and Cat 6a cables are still widely available, while more Cat 7 and Cat 8 types are being released amid rising demand.

Another analog-era cabling technology, coaxial cables continue to make their presence felt in the market. Their reach was estimated at $11 billion worldwide in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic and is projected to increase further to $15.7 billion by 2027 at 5.3 percent CAGR, according to a report from Global Industry Analysts Inc. published by Research and Markets. Most growth will come from the US, China, Japan, Canada and Germany.

Coaxial cables still serve a wide range of applications, including in cable networks, and their low-cost advantage, specifically in terms of installation and maintenance, remains their big draw. Compared to fiber-optic cables and like their Ethernet counterparts, they are easier to install and can be bent without impact on signal transmission.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our market analyst for representing current trends in network cable wiring.

Cat 8, S/FTP

Company: Shenzhen Lianfaxun Electronic Technology Co. Ltd

A Cat 8 Ethernet cable, Shenzhen Lianfaxun’s QG-OT0801 has an S/FTP cable consisting of single-strand OFC wires in 26AWG and RJ-45 connectors. It has quadruple shielding for reduced EMI/RFI and has a UV-resistant PVC jacket for durability, and water and corrosion resistance, which makes it suitable for outdoor use as well. MOQ is 500 units and lead time 10 to 35 days.

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Cat 7, SFTP

Company: Dongguan Chang'An Feiyue Electronics Fty

Dongguan Chang'An Feiyue’s model SFTP Cat7-003 Ethernet patch cable has 8P8C RJ-45 plugs and a cord with a PVC, PE or LSZH jacket. It comes in lengths of 10cm, 1, 2, 3m or as specified. The required minimum order quantity is 1,000 units.

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Cat 8, S/FTP

Company: Premier Cable Co. Ltd

This heavy-duty flat cable for indoor and outdoor installations, the Cat 8 Ethernet Cable from Premier is terminated with gold-plated RJ-45 connectors. It has 30AWG solid-copper wires in S/FTP construction and a PVC jacket. Cable diameter is 0.23in. This product, which supports 40Gbps data transmission and 2,000MHz bandwidth, has a required minimum order of 500 units. Lead time is seven to 21 days.

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Cat 7, S/FTP

Company: Shenzhen Fengshunke Cable Technology Co. Ltd

For 10G network cabling, the SFTP Cat7 Patch Cord 28AWG 1M from Shenzhen Fengshunke Cable has 26AWG bare-copper conductors with HDPE insulation and PVC or LSZH jacket. Its male RJ-45 connectors have a copper alloy shell with 50µm gold plating, nylon overmolding and molded PVC hood. Voltage and temperature ratings are 30V and -20 to 60 C. This cable is compliant with REACH, RoHS and UL standards. MOQ is 1,000 units. Lead time is seven to 20 days.

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Cat 7, U/FTP

Company: Shenzhen Mark Technology Co. Ltd

The DHC-Cat7-Flat from Shenzhen Mark is a U/FTP stranded cable that supports 10Gbps transmission. It has shielded 8P8C RJ-45 connectors and uses 32AWG bare-copper conductors. Available lengths are 1, 2 and 3m. An order of at least 1,000 units is required and has a lead time of seven to 45 days.

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Cat 8, S/FTP

Company: Ningbo Apc Electronics Co. Ltd

Ningbo Apc’s SFTP Cat.8 Patch Cord uses bare-copper conductors in 24 or 26AWG and with HDPE insulation, and RJ-45 connectors with 50µm gold plating. Cable jacket material is blue, gray, red or green PVC or LSZH. This product is available in lengths ranging from 0.3 to 30m. It is subjected to a fluke test, and complies with ISO/IEC 11801:2002 and ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 standards. An order of at least 5,000 meters is required. Lead time is 15 to 30 days.

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Coaxial, 18AWG

Company: Hangzhou Xingfa Technology Co. Ltd

Hangzhou Xingfa’s XINGFA-017-5799 coaxial cable uses 18AWG solid bare-copper, copper-clad steel or aluminum inner conductor, foamed or solid PE dielectric and PE or PVC jacket. Bonded aluminum is used for the foil shielding and tinned copper, AlMg or bare copper for the braiding. The minimum order quantity is 30km. Lead time is 15 to 25 days.

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Cat 7 & Cat 8 networking cables shore up copper

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