Making Sense of Ethernet Cable Standards: Should You Choose Cat6 or Cat7?

As network speeds race faster than a cheetah on the hunt, newer ethernet cable standards like Cat6 and Cat7 promise to keep pace. But with so many technical specifications flying around, how do you know which one to choose? Will Cat6 give your network enough headroom? Is Cat7 overkill?

This definitive guide examines these copper cabling workhorses inside and out. You‘ll understand what gives Cat7 the extra speed, whether shielding makes an actual difference, and most importantly, how to choose the right cable for YOUR needs.

Ethernet Cable History – Building a Need for Speed

Before understanding Cat6 vs Cat7, it helps to know why ethernet cables need so much speed in the first place. Early standards focused less on raw bandwidth than delivering affordable connectivity to the mass market.

The OG Category 3 cables first defined in 1991 operated at just 10Mbps – enough for most home internet users [1]. But once businesses got networked with increasingly data-heavy servers, higher demands emerged.

Category 5 arrived in 1995, providing 100Mbps [2] to satisfy corporate appetite at the time. Though when gigabit speeds became table stakes in the early 2000s, Category 5 Enhanced (Cat5e) bumped throughput to 1000Mbps (1 gigabit) [3].

Then the broadband dam really broke open. Fueled by media streaming, enterprise cloud adoption and bandwidth-hungry mobile devices, multi-gigabit transmission became essential. Category 6 emerged in 2002 to define 10 gigabit cables [4], while Category 7 soon followed to support future speed needs EVEN FASTER [5].

And with each new iteration comes improvements…

Inside Ethernet Cables: What Makes Cat7 So Robust?

Ethernet cables contain four pairs of copper wire which route network data by encoding 1s and 0s into electrical pulses. While basic enough in principle, delivering flawless 10Gbps throughput across 100 meters poses immense challenges.

Hence new standards like Cat7 include several key enhancements:

Double the Frequency = Double the Speed

Think of frequency as available “lanes” for data to flow through. Cat6 operates at 250MHz frequency, theoretically conveying 10Gbps [6]. Cat7 doubles this to 600MHz, now theoretically transmitting over 100Gbps [7]! More frequency spectrum makes room for blistering fast speeds.

Shielded Construction Blocks Interference

Like twisted pairs minimizing crosstalk in older cables, Cat7 adds shielding to each pair and the cable itself to block external interference [8]. This prevents unwanted signals from compromising your critical data.

Advanced Equalization Balances the Load

Another Cat7 innovation, “Power Sum Equalization”, dynamically balances signals across ALL cable pairs [9]. This ensures maximum reliability and performance across the entire 100 meter length.

Here’s a handy comparison chart:

* Cat7 connectors also support GG45 / TERA to extend shielding to patch cable interfaces

Real-World Speed Expectations

It‘s important to note that while Cat6 advertises a 10Gbps data rate, actual throughput will be lower. Expect approximately 50-60% of maximum speed under real conditions [10].

Cat7’s astounding 600MHz frequency unlocks room to grow however. As standards evolve, Cat7 will support 25Gbps, 40Gbps, 50Gbps and even 100Gbps speeds [11]!

Should You Choose Cat6 or Cat7 Cables?

Weighing your needs is essential when choosing between Cat6 and Cat7. Consider factors like:

Budget – Cat6 costs less but still offers 10Gbps for modest networks

Speed Requirements – Faster Cat7 allows massive headroom for enterprise needs

Network Size – More endpoints and longer distances benefit from Cat7

Interference levels – Cat7 better rejects electromagnetic noise from other equipment

Future Expansion – Cat7 accommodates tomorrow’s 40Gbps/100Gbps connections

For many home users, Cat6 provides plenty of performance at an affordable price. Its 10Gbps handles multiple computers and devices streaming, surfing, and gaming simultaneously.

In large enterprises however, only Cat7 provides the reliability and future readiness for rapidly growing bandwidth demands. Cat7 maintains peak throughput even across thousands of endpoints. And with systems requiring minimal latency like VoIP and virtual reality, Cat7 also guards against interference.

While Cat7 cable does cost more upfront, its lifecycle savings may justify the investment. Built to last beyond tomorrow’s speeds, Cat7 avoids frequent upgrades as networks expand.

Helpful Cat6 vs Cat7 Decision Factors

Beyond simple speed or scale, a few other factors impact whether Cat6 or Cat7 works best:

1. Connector Types

While Cat6 uses standard RJ45 ports, Cat7 cables often utilize shielded GG45 or TERA connectors. So existing wall plates, patch panels and tools may need replacement to bask in Cat7’s full glory. Plan infrastructure upgrades accordingly.

2. Bandwidth Overhead

With streaming media and videoconferencing dominating bandwidth, assess how much demand could grow in the next 3-5 years. Cat7 provides plenty of envelope to accommodate usage spikes as your network evolves.

3. Power and Cooling Needs

Transmitting blistering 40/100Gbps speeds generates extra heat and power draw. Cat7 runs warmer than Cat6. So cooling and electrical capacity should be sized appropriately, especially in wiring closet environments.

Cat6 vs Cat7 Cables – The Bottom Line

Still unsure whether to invest in future-forward Cat7 or cost-effective Cat6 cables? Ask yourself two key questions:

1. Will 10Gbps capacity satisfy my speed needs beyond 2025?
2. Is my data stream critical enough to warrant interference protection?

If you answered "yes" to both, then Cat6 likely fits the bill. But if you foresee needing 25Gbps+/100Gbps speeds soon, or absolutely cannot risk transmission glitches during key workflows, Cat7 provides the extra assurance.

Equipped with this inside knowledge of ethernet cable technology, you can now make the optimum choice for YOUR unique needs while saving money. Cat6 and Cat7 both deliver the blazing fast performance we’ve come to expect – but ONLY when implemented properly.

With an expert hand guiding your network design, you can enjoy frustration-free transfers across all connected devices at light speed. The ethernet cable you choose today will fuel productivity and competitive advantage for years to come. Make it count!

Hopefully you now feel empowered to make the right cabling decision. Please reach out with any other questions. I‘m always happy to help steer you towards networking success!

References:

1. IEEE 802.3 standard
2. TIA/EIA 568-A standards
3. ISO/IEC 11801:1995/Amd 1:2008
4. ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-1 standard
5. ISO/IEC 11801 2nd edition
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIA/EIA-568
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_11801
8. https://www.truecable.com/blogs/cable-academy/what-is-cat7-and-why-is-it-better-than-cat6
9. https://alientechnology.com/wp-content/uploads/Alien-Technology-White-Paper-PowerSUM-Equalization.pdf
10. https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/basics/lanwan-basics/32720-smallnetbuilder-cat6a-cat6-cat5e-shootout-connected
11. https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/cabling_index/Cat7_Cable_Index.html