Applicable cables: CAT5 / CAT5E / CAT6 / CAT6A / CAT7 / CAT8

CAT Network Cables
CAT network cables, also known as twisted-pair cables, are the common and widely used type of network cables. They include various standards such as Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat7, each with distinct performance characteristics and application scenarios.

Classification by Shielding Type
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP): The majority of network cables in use are of this type. While they cannot completely resist external interference, they employ a method of introducing interference signals. These signals are coupled magnetically on the conductors, and the closely twisted pairs absorb the interference, generating a common-mode signal. At the receiver's end, this signal can be canceled out by differential lines, allowing the original signal to be analyzed.
Shielded Twisted Pair (FTP): These cables offer good resistance to interference and are suitable for environments with high levels of electromagnetic interference.

Structural Features of Network Cables
Twisted-Pair Cable Structure:
Twisted-pair cables are transmission media that resemble telephone lines, with each wire insulated and color-coded for identification. The purpose of twisting two conductors together is to cancel out a form of electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other pairs and external sources.
To prevent interference between pairs, each pair is twisted at a different rate. Typically, the white-orange/orange pair is twisted tightly, while the white-brown/brown pair is sparsely arranged.
Twisted pairs are sensitive to electromagnetic interference and can even fail. The integrity of the twist is a crucial factor, and it must be maintained during installation. Repeated handling can alter the twist pitch, potentially leading to cable failure. To control the twist of the pairs, solutions such as heavy-duty network cables or bonded-pair cables are employed.

Performance Characteristics of Different Types of CAT Network Cables
Cat5e (Enhanced Category 5e Network Cable)
The performance of Cat5e cables has significantly improved compared to Cat5 cables. They offer reduced attenuation, lower crosstalk, and a higher ACR, as well as better signal-to-noise ratio and smaller time delay differences. With a maximum bandwidth of 100MHz and a standard 24AWG gauge, these cables are suitable for Gigabit Ethernet networks and can meet the daily network needs of most homes and offices.

Cat6 (Category 6 Network Cable)
The transmission performance of Cat6 cables far exceeds the Enhanced Category 5e standard, making them ideal for Gigabit-speed network transmission applications. With a transmission bandwidth of 250MHz, these cables show improved performance in crosstalk and return loss compared to Enhanced Category 5e cables. The good return loss performance is crucial for new-generation full-duplex high-speed network applications, and they are suitable for applications with transmission rates above 1Gbps.

Cat6a (Enhanced Category 6 Network Cable)
As an improvement over Cat6, Cat6a cables are primarily used in ten gigabit networks. They have significantly better performance in external crosstalk and other areas compared to Cat6 cables, with a transmission bandwidth of 500MHz and a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps.

Cat7 (Category 7 Network Cable)
Unlike previous categories, Cat7 cables are shielded twisted pair cables, mainly used for 10 Gigabit Ethernet technology applications and development. With a minimum transmission bandwidth of 600MHz and a transmission rate of up to 10Gbps, each pair of wires in Cat7 cables has an individual shield, and all four pairs are enclosed in a common large shield. The additional shielding results in a larger cable diameter. In terms of connecting hardware, Cat7 systems require connectors to provide at least 60dB of combined near-end crosstalk at 600MHz for all wire pairs.

Cat8 (Category 8 Network Cable)
It is the new generation of double-shielded (SFTP) network cables. The Cat8 cables have two signal pairs and can support a bandwidth of 2000MHz, with transmission speeds reaching 40Gb/s. However, their maximum transmission distance is limited to 30 meters, making them suitable for short-distance connections in data centers between servers, switches, patch panels, and other equipment. Although they are suitable for data centers, high-speed, and bandwidth-intensive environments, they have a shorter transmission distance compared to Cat7/ Enhanced Cat7 cables, and far exceed the latter in terms of speed and frequency. And it also differs significantly from Enhanced Cat5e, Cat6/ Enhanced Cat6 cables in terms of rate, frequency, transmission distance, and applications.

Historical Development and Evolution of Different Types of CAT Network Cables
CAT1: The maximum frequency bandwidth of the cable is 750kHZ, used for alarm systems, or only for voice transmission (mainly used for telephone cables before the early 1980s), unlike data transmission.
CAT2: The maximum frequency bandwidth of the cable is 1MHZ, used for voice transmission and data transmission at a maximum rate of 4Mbps, commonly used in older token networks using the 4MBPS specification of the token passing protocol.
CAT3: The transmission frequency is 16MHz, the maximum transmission rate is10Mbps (10Mbit/s), mainly used for voice, 10Mbit/s Ethernet (10BASE - T) and 4Mbit/s token ring. The maximum segment length is 100m. It uses the RJ form of the connector, and has faded from the market now.
CAT4: The transmission frequency is 20MHz, used for voice transmission and data transmission at a maximum transmission rate of 16Mbps (referring to the 16Mbit/s token ring), mainly used for token-based LANs and 10BASE-T/100BASE-T. The maximum length of the network segment is 100m. It uses RJ connectors and has not been widely adopted.
CAT5: These cables boast a maximum frequency bandwidth of 100MHz and a data transfer rate of 100Mbps, suitable for voice transmission and data transfer at the 100Mbps speed. Predominantly used for 100BASE-T Ethernet, CAT5 cables have a maximum segment length of 100 meters and utilize the RJ-style connectors. Building upon the performance of CAT5, CAT5e cables are designed for gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps) applications.
CAT6: With a transmission frequency range of 1MHz to 250MHz, CAT6 cabling systems ensure a substantial margin in Power Sum Alien Crosstalk Ratio (PS-ACR) at 200MHz, offering twice the bandwidth of Cat5e. Ideal for applications with data rates exceeding 1Gbps. The CAT6 cabling adheres to a star topology, with a maximum permanent link length of 90 meters and a channel length not exceeding 100 meters. CAT6e is an improvement of CAT6. The CAT6e cables maintain the same frequency range and maximum 1000Mbps data rate but enhance performance in terms of crosstalk, attenuation, and signal-to-noise ratio. They feature a cross-shaped separator between the four twisted pairs.
CAT7: Developed to accommodate 10 Gigabit Ethernet technology, CAT7 cables include a shield for each pair of wires and an additional common shield for all four pairs. In terms of the ability to connect hardware, the parameters of the Cat7 system require that the connection header at 600 MHZ when all pairs of wires provide at least 60 DB of integrated near-end string winding.
CAT8: The relevant standard was officially released by the Communications Industry Association of America (TIA) TR - 43 Committee in 2016 and is compliant with the IEEE802.3bq25G/40GBASE - T standard. The standard specifies the minimum transmission rate for Cat8 network cables to support 25Gbps and 40Gbps network cabling and is compliant with the ANSI/TIA - 568 - C.2-1 standard. It also specifies channel and permanent links for Cat8 network cables and includes limits for resistor imbalance, TCL and ELTCTL.

Application Scenarios for Different Types of CAT Network Cables
Cat5e: This type of cable is ideal for everyday network needs in homes and offices, such as general web browsing and file sharing. With the capability to support gigabit speeds, Cat5e is more than sufficient for typical network usage scenarios.
​Cat6: Often utilized in network environments that demand higher data rates and robust resistance to interference, such as data centers and corporate networks and home networks with higher network requirements. Cat6 boasts a transmission bandwidth of 250MHz, making it suitable for gigabit network applications and meeting the needs of more demanding network scenarios.
Cat6a: Thanks to its improved performance in external crosstalk and a transmission bandwidth of 500MHz, Cat6a is primarily used in 10-gigabit networks. It is particularly well-suited for large enterprise networks and data centers where high-speed and stable network transmission are critical.
Cat7: As a shielded twisted pair cable, Cat7 excels in applications involving 10Gigabit Ethernet technology. It performs well in long-distance transmissions, achieving 10Gbps distances up to 100 meters. This makes it ideal for high-speed and interference-resistant environments, such as premium data centers and professional network installations.
Cat8: Despite its limited maximum transmission distance of 30 meters, Cat8 supports a bandwidth of 2000MHz and a transfer rate of up to 40Gb/s. It is typically used for short-distance connections within data centers, such as between servers, switches, distribution panels, and other equipment, suitable for short-distance, high-speed data transmission scenarios within data centers.

PROFINET Industrial Ethernet Cables
Overview 
PROFINET cables are industrial Ethernet cables designed based on the PROFINET protocol, which are primarily used in various sectors such as industrial automation production, rail vehicles, and maritime vessels. These cables are compatible with multiple industrial Ethernet communication protocols, including EtherCAT and EtherNet/IP, ensuring stable and reliable transmission performance even in harsh industrial environments.

Applications
Industrial Automation Production: Used for wiring of machines, equipment, instruments, and control cabinets.
Rail Vehicles: Ensures stable and secure signal transmission in rail transit systems.
Maritime Vessels: Supports efficient data transmission in ship communication systems.

Types and Features
Type A
Features: Suitable for fixed applications, meeting the performance standards of CAT5e.
Applications: Primarily used for wiring in machines, equipment, instruments, and control cabinets.

Type B
Features: Designed for installations that may experience bending, capable of withstanding occasional movement or vibration.
Applications: Suitable for environments with potential bending, such as certain industrial automation equipment.

Type C
Features: Ideal for drag chain applications or frequently moving environments.
Applications: Suitable for motion control situations, such as robotic arms and other equipment requiring frequent movement.

Technical Specifications
Temperature Range: 
Fixed applications: -45°C to 120°C;
Mobile applications: -40°C to 110°C.
Conductor Operating Temperature: 120°C.
Test Voltage: 2000V/min (AC).
Characteristic Impedance: 100±15Ω.
Bending Radius: For fixed applications, it is 10D (D means cable diameter).

Construction
Conductor: Solid bare copper conductor, diameter is 0.64mm (22AWG/1).
Insulation: PE (Polyethylene).
Inner Sheath: TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer).
Shielding: Aluminum foil shielding with tinned copper braiding.
Outer Sheath: Polyether-based polyurethane PUR.