Ethernet Cable Types/specifications and IEEE compliance

barman58 · Jan 8, 2023

I have an issue with one run of Cat5 Ethernet - been in place for a number of years and has a cable extension to fit the space, so decided to replace the cable

During my search for a replacement I came across a fact that I had previously been unaware of and thought I would mention it here

as stated the existing cable was Cat5, and the current latest regulation is Cat8

I tend not to install the latest update in cable as it can cause issues so was left with two options Cat6 [actually Cat6a], and Cat7 which appeared to be the best choice... Then whilst checking the details of a ten metre run of Cat7 cable it came to my attention that Cat7 was not sanctioned by the official governing bodies worldwide but was a specific manufacturer's idea on the next level of cable functionality and could well differ in specification depending on which manufacturer produced it

It turns out that the official upgrade to Cat6 [a] is actually Cat8 and cat7 should not be installed anywhere that Full certification [IEEE] is required

TairikuOkami · Jan 8, 2023

Interesting, but whichever you choose, I would suggest to pick a flat braided cable. It is more reliable.
I had issues with plastic ones, even though I did not move them, they broke, because they were bent.

barman58 · Jan 8, 2023

one of the parameters included in the current valid, [and Cat7], cables is the thickness and number of braided strands in the construction of the internal cores, which of course affects the overall flexibility of the cable - Some have more but thinner cores, and some have less but thicker component cores

Haydon · Jan 8, 2023

barman58 said:
It turns out that the official upgrade to Cat6 [a] is actually Cat8 and cat7 should not be installed anywhere that Full certification [IEEE] is required

I presume that applies to PoE cables too?

cereberus · Jan 8, 2023

Paying extra for Cat 7/8 cables is rather a waste of time unless you have a need for routers with greater than 1 Gbps. Most pcs are limited to 1 Gbps. Cat 6 is quite adequate for most users.

barman58 · Jan 8, 2023

Agreed, however as I tend to install new cable infrastructure rarely and it is likely to outlast the router hardware, It can make sense to use the latest cable specs in installs in larger premisses to prevent the possible need of cable upgrades before absolutely needed

TVeblen · Jan 8, 2023

I was also recently looking into this. You are correct: CAT8 is the current IEEE sanctioned protocol, CAT7 defunct.
But I also read that CAT 6 is, while sanctioned, deprecated. I recall this was simply due to market failure.

It is currently accepted that CAT5e cable is compliant with the standards needed for the new 2.5G Ethernet protocol if it does not exceed cable length limitations (100m). So the need for CAT6 dropped off.

I also recall (I'll check later) that CAT8 specifications require flat cable - separating the pairs into lanes.

But you do not, at this time, require CAT8 to do 2.5G Ethernet. I am currently setting up a 2.5G system (modem, router, PC, CAT5e spiderweb) so I will be testing soon, once I have everything set up.

barman58 · Jan 8, 2023

Haydon said:
I presume that applies to PoE cables too?

Cat5e and all official cable specs since support POE, I assume that Cat7 does too, [the specs of Cat7 are good and an upgrade from Cat6(a) cable so could still be an option for home use where certification is not really required, although with some sources the certification does provide Peace of Mind ]

TVeblen · Jan 8, 2023

Yes, agreed. The key is in compatibility with the network equipment. And CAT7 cable would certainly be compatible with current equipment. It's hard to imagine what equipment in the future it would not be compatible with, but who knows?
If you are running a data center or large corporate network then the cable speed specs really come into play and become important.
If you are trying to run 10GBASE-T or 5GBASE-T and the cable will not reach the rated speed, both systems will automatically switch to Gigabit Ethernet only. So CAT6a, 7 or 8 is a must.
The nice thing with this new Multi-gig technology is that it will run anywhere between Gigabit and 2.5G depending on the network conditions. Which, I believe, is why CAT5e is compatible.
Since few consumer grade routers and modems have 5G and 10G capability, anything above CAT6 could be overkill for a home network.

badrobot · Jan 8, 2023

You should be good with a Cat6 for the next 5 years or so.

Haydon · Jan 8, 2023

badrobot said:
You should be good with a Cat6 for the next 5 years or so.

If I ever install cable myself, I would only do it once every 25 years or so

barman58 · Jan 8, 2023

I only went for the Cat6a rather than cat5 for Future compatibility and that the cable run feeds my main Workstation and TV so speed/bandwidth is useful :wink:

Haydon · Jan 8, 2023

barman58 said:
I only went for the Cat6a rather than cat5 for Future compatibility and that the cable run feeds my main Workstation and TV so speed/bandwidth is useful

I once installed a triple cable run along the ceiling of my basement (to try out some home server configuration) fell down, bruised my ribcage against a coffee table, never knew how painful that can be (was always in great fear that I had to sneeze) never again

badrobot · Jan 8, 2023

Haydon said:
If I ever install cable myself, I would only do it once every 25 years or so

I like giving myself reasons to upgrade.

barman58 · Jan 9, 2023

badrobot said:
I like giving myself reasons to upgrade.

Sounds like you have a case of the same disease that a lot of the regulars here have ... ...
It's-not-broken-but-let's-"fix"-it anyway-itus

badrobot · Jan 9, 2023

barman58 said:
Sounds like you have a case of the same disease that a lot of the regulars here have ... ...
It's-not-broken-but-let's-"fix"-it anyway-itus

"upgrading" does not mean "fixing" stuffs. Just an itch to splurge sometimes.

TVeblen · Jan 9, 2023

I'm bumming because I have a nearly full 500 foot box of CAT6 cable and only realized afterward that it was defunct and I needed CAT6a.
Anyone wanna buy an open box cheap?

barman58 · Jan 10, 2023

Haydon said:
I once installed a triple cable run along the ceiling of my basement (to try out some home server configuration) fell down, bruised my ribcage against a coffee table, never knew how painful that can be (was always in great fear that I had to sneeze) never again

I have suffered from that issue more than once so understand and feel your pain, worse thing is I tend to "pop an Intercostal muscle" just by over stretching to reach something just out of reach [ the weakness is there and so takes very little to happen again]

johnlgalt · Jan 10, 2023

barman58 said:
I have suffered from that issue more than once so understand and feel your pain, worse thing is I tend to "pop an Intercostal muscle" just by over stretching to reach something just out of reach [ the weakness is there and so takes very little to happen again]

I took a fall one and landed on my forearms and knees, but the force of the fall ripped a few of those. That was the most painful thing I've done, for a long time, not being able to even drive, as any use of core musculature immediately resulted in pain.

I've popped a couple here and there, and only recently realized that one damaged they are much, much easier to damage again.

pparks1 · Jan 10, 2023

TVeblen said:
I'm bumming because I have a nearly full 500 foot box of CAT6 cable and only realized afterward that it was defunct and I needed CAT6a.
Anyone wanna buy an open box cheap?

The only real difference here is that 6a is rated to carry 10GB/s a full 100 meters (328 feet), where the 6 is rated to carry it about 165 feet, right? In a residential setting, I wouldn't forsee too many exceeding runs of 160+ feet.