Cat8 Ethernet Cable - The Future of Networking Cables!
Category 8 (Cat8) Ethernet Cable released in 2016 is the latest technology available in network cabling. The ANSI/TIA-568-C.2-1 - Balanced Twisted-Pair Telecommunications Cabling and Component provides all the requirements for CAT8 cable.
This new technology boasts one of the largest increases in speed Ethernet technology has ever seen. Cat 8 Copper Cable offers a data rate of 40Gbps and bandwidth of 2000MHz. Best of all this cabling comes at a reasonable price providing a low-cost alternative to fiber.
So, What Makes Cat8 Ethernet Cable Different?
The Cat8 Cable is able to bring such high speeds largely because of the shielding implemented in the design. Each pair of conductors is shielded with an aluminum mylar foil to reduce and eliminate cross talk.
Cat 8 shielding doesn’t stop there. To protect the cable from any electromagnetic interference, that has been a problem in previous iterations, a braided shield was implemented. The shielding implemented in Cat8 makes for a highly resistant cable that is protected from any interference.
Patch cables that conform to the Category 8 Ethernet cabling standard utilize 26 AWG (American Wire Gauge) copper conductors. 26 AWG copper provides the best signal available with a high level of flexibility, making it easy to install in tight spaces.
Cat8 Cable provides enhanced performance for Power over Ethernet (PoE). It can handle higher levels of power over Ethernet (PoE) output due to lower DC resistance.
Category 8 Specifications
| AWG (Gauge) | 24 - 26 AWG | Conductors | Pure Copper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shielding | SFTP - Pair Foil Shielded / 4Pair Braid Shielded | Jacket | PVC |
| Connectors | 50Mc gold plated RJ45 | Booted | yes |
| Max Data Rate | up to 40 Gbps | Bandwidth | up to 2GHz |
| Max Length | 40 Gbps - 100ft (30m) 25 Gbps - 328ft (100m) | Backwards Compatible | Yes |
Category 8 Performance
As we mentioned earlier, Category 8 Ethernet Cabling boasts the largest improvement in Ethernet technology. The previous most popular iteration, Category 7 Ethernet Cable, was released in 2002. CAT7 provides a frequency of 600MHz with speeds up to 10Gbps.
Cat8 Ethernet cable has four times the frequency and speeds of Cat7 with a frequency of 2,000 MHz and speeds of 40Gbps. Check our detailed report on CAT7 vs CAT8. These speeds are possible at distances up to 30 meters or almost 100 feet. If your Ethernet cabling requires further runs, Cat8 cabling can still provide up to 10Gbps speeds at 100 meters or just over 300 feet.
Data centers, Poe devices, and wireless access points that do not require more than 100ft connections can benefit from CAT8 performance. 
One of the great things about Cat8 cable is the backwards compatibility it provides. Just like Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat7 cabling, Cat8 Ethernet Cable uses RJ45 connectors making it fully backward compatible. Backward compatibility feature will support all of your existing devices. This makes upgrading to Cat 8 cabling easy and intuitive while keeping costs low.
Common Applications for Cat8 Cabling
Cat8 cabling is perfect for future-proofing any business or even your home due to its high speeds and low costs. With speeds as fast as fiber, Cat8 will provide all of the speed you would need at a lower cost.
The most common application for this state-of-the-art cabling will be in data centers. It will make 25G and 40G data centers a cost-effective option to provide the speeds required in today’s business environment. As data continues to grow, high-speed data centers will become crucial in utilizing and implementing data-based solutions.
It will also provide a great option for short-distance Ethernet cabling needs within any home or business. The lightning speeds of CAT8 will drastically decrease the time you and your team spend waiting for things to load. Implementing Cat 8 cabling in your home will future-proof your house, so you don’t need to worry about falling behind with rapidly changing technologies.
Can I use Cat 8 Ethernet Cable for gaming?
Yes. CAT8 cable offers speeds of up to 40 Gbps and a frequency of 2,000 MHz. This makes Category 8 cables the fastest Ethernet cable for gaming available today.
Can I use Cat8 Cable with my router?
Yes. Cat8 will work with any devices as long as its have RJ45 Ethernet port.
Can I use Cat8 Ethernet Cable for PoE camera?
Yes. Cat8 supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology. In fact using Cat8 to deliver power and data over a single cable will reduce the need for power cords. On top of that, it will safe space and simplify installations.
How Much Does Category 8 Ethernet Cabling Cost?
Category 8 Ethernet Cabling is more expensive than previous iterations of Ethernet Cabling due to the state-of-the-art shielding that is required. It does provide drastically higher speeds than previous iterations without a huge increase in costs.
For comparable speeds to Cat 8 Ethernet Cable, you would need to use fiber. Fiber is far more expensive than Cat 8 cables and it will require set-up with some of your older devices. This only further increases the costs of fiber. Due to the backward compatibility of Cat 8 cabling, it will work with all of your existing devices.
The only time fiber will provide faster speeds than Cat 8 cabling is when being used in distances over 30 meters or 100 feet. Cat 8 cabling can also be terminated in the field reducing labor costs when installing or upgrading your networking systems.
Overall, Category 8 Ethernet Cabling is the most cost-effective high-speed cabling solution on the market today.
Conclusion
Category 8 Ethernet cable is the latest update in Ethernet technology. This Ethernet Cable provides high speeds at a low cost . You can pull speeds of up to 40 Gbps and a frequency of 2,000 MHz at distances of up to 30 meters or 100 feet. This makes Category 8 the largest improvement in Ethernet technology to date.
This new development in Ethernet cabling will play a major role in developing 25G and 40G data centers. These data centers will quickly become a requirement as businesses continuously develop at faster rates. Data has never been as important for running a successful business as it is today.
As ultra-high-definition 4K video becomes more and more popular, your average household will benefit from this high-speed cabling as well. With the growth in streaming services, it is clear that video media is going online quickly. Cat8 Cable's backward compatibility allows easy upgrade and will future-proof your house. You can take advantage of technology no matter what direction it goes.
To sum it all up, Category 8 Ethernet cabling is driving networking technology forward by bringing speeds never seen before. Competitive price and backward compatibility make it a great choice to future-proof your house or business.