Category 8 Ethernet Patch Cables

As technology advances, the demand for increased data speeds continues to grow and manufacturers continue to develop solutions that can support those higher speeds.

The TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) has released the specifications for Cat8 ethernet cables.

Cat8 ethernet cables are currently the fastest and best ethernet cable available. The internal features of Cat8 and performance attributes are what set this new cable apart from the others.

Category 8 is similar to previous standards Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a in that they use the same RJ45 connector and are fully backward compatible.

Category 8 Cable Will Play a Major Role in 25G and 40G Data Center Ethernet

Category 8 supports bandwidth up to 2000 MHz and internet speeds up to 40 Gbps at distances up to 30 meters. If you a longer run is needed, Cat8 can still achieve data speeds of 10Gbps up to 100 meters.

Cat8 cables have to reach network equipment while delivering 10, 25, and 40 Gigabit data rates over BASE-T technology with RJ45 ends making it a drop-in replacement for Cat6a where rates beyond 10Gb will be needed today or in the future.

Ethernet Cable Comparison Chart


	Cat5e	Cat6	Cat6a	Cat8
Frequency	100 MHz	250 MHz	500 MHz	2000 MHz
Speed	1 Gbps	1 Gbps	10 Gbps	40 Gbps
Standard	1GBASE-T	1GBASE-T	10GBASE-T	40GBASE-T
# of Conductors	8	8	8	8
Type of Connector	RJ45	RJ45	RJ45	RJ45

Cable Construction

Cat8 has stricter specifications for noise restriction and crosstalk than any of its predecessors.

All category 8 cables are shielded. The shielding within the cable helps create a high-frequency rating, which in return provides better performance speed.

Cat8 patch cables are stranded with pure 24AWG copper conductors to improve flexibility and provide the best signal possible.

Each pair of conductors is shielded with an aluminum mylar foil to reduce, if not eliminate, crosstalk.

These cables also have a braided shield, which protects from outside electromagnetic interference.

7/19/19