Computer Cabling Services

 NM Cabling is here to assist you in protecting your computer technology. We can help to increase data transfer speeds, ensure efficient communications within your commercial building, and protect data integrity. To protect your investment in computer technology, your computer cabling must be correctly installed, tested, and maintained by an experienced company with the ability to prioritize your requirements.

Computer cabling services

Computer cabling is a term widely used to describe all types of data cabling Westminster associated with computers and data transfer. For instance, Ethernet cabling, internet, and various types of telecommunications and networking. At NM Cabling we install and maintain all the leading types of computer cabling to provide a broad networking solution that will keep your data flowing and guarantee you peace of mind while you operate your business.

Computer data cables form local area networks (LANs) between computers in the same area. Thus, allowing them to directly communicate and share data with each other. Ethernet Network is a platform on which LANs are hosted. In addition, this is only possible when the data cabling is installed carefully and correctly.

Did you know – 50% of downtime experienced by companies is directly attributed to bad cables or poor installation.

Computer cabling functions 

All computer cables have common functions and traits. The cables create physical connections between ports through which data can be transferred electronically. Furthermore, the purpose of a computer cable is to transfer data, which can then serve multiple functions. 

Have you ever wondered how the internet work? This is made possible by using specific computer cables which connect computers and servers around the world. Even wireless internet is dependent on data cables. The wireless router must be physically connected to the internet via a data cable before it can broadcast the wireless signal.

Development of computer cabling 

Telegraph lines we used to facilitate telecommunications. Alexander Graham Bell used them to make the first telephone call. The telegraph lines transferred data through copper wire and utilised single- wire earth return circuits. In the 1880s these circuits were replaced with balanced circuits. 

With the popularity of the telephone increasing, interference between the copper wires started to become an issue. As a result, this led to the invention of twisted pair cables. Twisted pair is when copper wires are twisted around each other. Furthermore, each pair has a unique twist rate, this is to prevent signals from getting mixed. This technology is still in use today. The advancement of technology has allowed these cables to become faster and capable of spanning long distances. However, the original premise behind twisted pair cables has not changed.

As technology advances, computer cabling progresses with the changes. The most recent invention is fibre optic cables. These cables are widely recognised as a superior alternative to copper. In addition, fibre optic cores are made of glass or plastic and carry rays of light over long distances. Fibre optic is extremely quick and immune to electromagnetic interference. 

Types of Computer cables

Cat3 Data Cable 

Chances are you’ve never heard of this cable before. Cat3 cables were popular in the 1990s but are hardly used today. The cable is a copper twisted pair that can transfer up to 10Mb/sec, the maximum bandwidth is 16MHZ. Generally, cat3 is used for VoIP phones. 

Cat5 and Cat5e Data Cables

Cat5 was the category before Cat5e, it’s a twisted pair cable. This cable is not widely used with today’s technology. However, Cat5e is still in use and its mainly used for Ethernet. The cable can transfer up to 1000Mb/sec with a bandwidth of up to 350MHz. 

Cat6 and Cat6a 

Category 6 and 6a are widely used by various companies due to the high performances they offer. The cables have a bandwidth of 250Mhz and 550Mhz. with transfers of up to 10Gbps. This cable is the go-to data cable for many business requirements.

Cat7 & Cat 8

These cables are not as popular as those above, due to their high performances the cables are more expensive in comparison.

Cat 7 – 600Mhz and up to 10Gbps

Cat8 – 2000Mhz and up to 40Gbps

Fibre Optic Data cables

Fibre optic is the latest development of computer cables. This cable allows data to be transferred through specifically engineered lengths of plastic or glass. The cable has a lot of advantages in comparison to copper cables. For example, speed, flexibility, reliability, and more. However, the advantages do come with a higher cost.

Installing computer cabling 

The installation of computer data cabling Watford should not be taken lightly. The process is very important for several reasons. For instance, a network can’t be functional if the cables are not installed correctly. Additionally, failure to correctly mark wires will cause issues when fault finding, potentially costing your business more money to hire an engineer for long periods of time. Call our highly experienced team at NM Cabling for all your computer cabling queries. Our engineers adhere to international and European standards. 

Original Source: Computer Cabling Services 

What is Single Pair Ethernet (SPE)

 In May 1973 while working at Xerox PARC, Bob Metcalf introduced the concept of ethernet. Following this, IEEE turned the Ethernet concept into a global standard in 1983 with the release of IEEE Std. 802.3a, this supported 10Mb of data transmission over a coaxial cable. The advancement of Ethernet took another progressive step in 1990 by developing IEE Std. 802. 3i, this was built to support the 10BASE-T application, providing 10Mb of data transmission over the twisted-pair network cabling London.

Since then, the evolution of ethernet has grown rapidly. Quickly moving on from coaxial to twisted-pair copper cabling. This change saw an increase in transmission speeds and reduced costs. To begin with, only two twisted pairs were used, but this soon evolved to four pairs to achieve higher data rates. Now Ethernet is one of the most commonly used protocols for transmitting data between electronic devices. So, what is a single pair ethernet (SPE)? 

What is SPE?

Traditional ethernet cables from the LAN sector or Industrial Ethernet cables use two or four pairs of wires depending on the transmission rate.

Single pair Ethernet cables only contain one twisted pair (single pair). Single twisted-pair cabling was first used in the 1870s, instead of having two straight wires next to each other, the conductors were twisted together to improve the electrical performance. The twisting of the conductors resulted in the cancellation of unwanted electrical noise from nearby pairs or other sources. In the 1870s, single twisted pair cabling was used to interconnect telephones.

Centuries later, the single twisted pair cabling is still in use. The use of this cable is now commonly found in building automation, industrial, and automotive applications. SPE offers additional advantages in comparison to the traditional cable. 

For example

1. Thinner bending radii 

2. Smaller cables. Saves material and costs. Great for weight and space-saving designs.

3. Transmission rates of up to 1Gbit on a single pair

4. SPE cable design enables much faster /easier installation, reducing errors in assembly

5. Single Pair Ethernet uses PoDL to supply terminal devices with up to 50W via the data line.

6. Lower caloric load, less smoke development 

SPE Power delivery

To enhance its usefulness, IEEE developed the ability to transmit power and data over the same twisted pair. Power transmission over 4-pair Ethernet cabling is commonly called Power over Ethernet (PoE). Power transmission for SPE IT cabling London is referred to as Power over Data Lines (PoDL). This standard specifies multiple classes of powered devices delivering between 0.5 and 52 watts of power. It’s important to realize, although PoDL technology is not compatible with the existing 2 and 4 pair POE equipment. It has the same advantages as PoE as it provides for centralized power control and backup power.

SPE Cables

Single Pair Ethernet cables are built to support a maximum frequency that corresponds with one or more IEEE applications. Additionally, there are also separate standards for patch cables and horizontal cables. Although it's possible to manufacture patch cords from horizontal cables, patch cables generally employ stranded conductors instead of solid ones. Thus, offering increased flexibility at the expense of diminished electrical performance over long lengths. 

SPE connectors

The interfaces discussed in the IEC 63171 standards for connector types 1-6 are open-sourced, allowing any manufacturer to make connectors with the interfaces. As a result, this will increase the likelihood of broad industry adoption. Manufacturers maintain the common interface; however, they have innovative freedom. They can implement proprietary features in other areas of the connector design. 

Original Source: What is Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) 

What is Data Cabling Used For?

 

What is Data Cabling?

Data cables are a crucial part of any IT infrastructure. Without data cables, you would be unable to transmit data between two points e.g. from a server to an individual PC. Accordingly, you need the right data cables for your specific needs to remain productive. But the world of data cables can be complex. There are many different categories available and understanding which one is best for you can be difficult. Getting to grips with data cables is important, so let’s look at how you can make the right choice. 

What Types of Data Cables Are There? 

There are three main types of data cables available: 

Twisted Pair: These data cables use a pair of twisted copper cores and are mostly found in telecommunications. The purpose of this twisted construction is to minimize any degradation to the signal. One of the twisted cores is used to transmit information while the other acts as a grounding wire. Typically, a Cat 6 cable – which uses the twisted pair design – can carry data over 100m without any signal degradation.

· Coaxial: Most commonly seen in older IT infrastructures, coaxial cables have high bandwidths and are capable of carrying high-frequency signals. These cables use a solid wire at their center as a conductor – which is within an insulator – and then an outer conductor is used to create a functioning circuit. This type of cable is popular in digital telephone networks due to the amount of data they can carry. 

Fibre Optic: One of the newer forms of data cabling, fibre optic cabling has brought revolutionary technology to network cabling London. Fibre optic cables use beams of light to transmit data and consist of an inner core and outer cladding. The cables are lightweight and capable of transmitting data over distances of up to 10km and at maximum speeds of 10 gigabits per second. Fibre optic cables are most used within telecommunications, cable TV, and local area networks.

A commonly asked question is whether ethernet cables are the same as data cables. The answer to this comes down to terminology. The term ethernet refers to a local area network rather than a specific cable. Any data cable used within such a network can technically be referred to as an ethernet cable. 

Data Cabling Installation

One of the best methods to adopt when it comes to data cabling is the structured cabling approach. This method uses patch panels and trunks to build an infrastructure whereby subsystems can be set up to support multiple hardware uses. Most importantly, structured cabling is scalable and makes future expansion much easier. These cabling systems can integrate twisted pair, coaxial, and fibre optic – although these different categories cannot directly connect with each other – and make it a versatile option.

The installation of data cabling Watford, whether it is structured or the more traditional point-to-point method, is a complex undertaking. Rather than taking this on yourself, it pays to bring in the services of a professional. Not only will they be able to deliver an installation that operates to a high standard, but the stress that they save you will be invaluable. 

Original Source: What is Data Cabling Used For? 

What is Fibre Optic Cabling

 Fibre optic cabling systems are crucial for the success of your business. In a fast-paced world where anything below par can hinder your success and competitiveness. Fibre optic cabling can provide you with the instant transmission of information you need to keep your business functions above par. After all, communication is crucial when it comes to operating a business. Fibre optic cables have become the go-to choice of cabling as they hold a number of advantages over copper cables. For example, they have higher bandwidth and transmit speed. These cables are commonly used in telecommunication services such as the internet, telephones, and television.

How does fibre optic cabling work?

Optical fibre cables are made up of thousands of fibre strands that are as thin as human hair. The fibre transmits information in the form of light particles or photons. The photons can be transmitted over large distances of 100km+, this alone makes fibre optic network cabling London perfect for communication systems.

When light signals are passed through the cable, they reflect off the core and cladding in zig-zag bounces, this process is known as total internal reflection. Unfortunately, the light signals do not travel at the speed of light due to the density of the glass layers. However, the light signals travel 30% slower than the speed of light. In spite of this, fibre is still a lot faster than traditional copper. To boost the signal through its journey, a switch may be placed at distant intervals to regenerate the optical signal by transforming it to an electrical signal, processing that electrical signal and retransmitting the optical signal. 

What are the two types of fibre optic cables? 

Single-mode

Singlemode fibre is used for long distances because of the smaller diameter of the glass fibre core. This reduces the possibility of losing signal strength. Due to the thin core, the light signals can travel directly through the core without the risk of bouncing off the internal sides of the fibre optic cable. This reduces the amount of light reflection created during the transmission. 

Multimode

Multimode fibre cables are noticeably larger in comparison to single-mode, they can be 10x larger than a single mode in diameter. One of the main benefits of multimode is the greater light-gathering capacity. This allows light to travel along with a variety of different paths within the cable. Multimode fibre can only transmit signals over short distances, these cables are perfect for connecting internal computer networks.

What is fibre to the desk?

Also known as FTTD, Fibre to the desk is a cable solution of using fibre-optic cables to connect workstations to the company’s network instead of the traditional copper cable. The traditional method is also known as fibre to the office, this method involves local conversion from fibre to copper data cabling Watford connecting the user. FTTD installation costs are higher than the traditional method the advantages of futureproofing and security make up for the expenses.

How to test fibre optic?

Much like all forms of technology, fibre optic cables are also prone to wear and tear, as well as failures. Testing your fibre optic cable is essential If you wish to maintain the advantages. The best way to maintain your cables is through OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer). The OTDR has the ability to compose a comprehensive picture and analysis, providing you with a clear picture of the cable’s health status. OTDR can be used to analyse splice loss, fault finding and accurately measure lengths. Lastly, it can also read the performance of the cable and structural problems, enabling you to identify and rectify any faults. 

Original Source: What is Fibre Optic Cabling 

Latest CCTV Technology

 

Understanding New CCTV Technology 

Safety and security solutions continue to evolve and, at the centre of this evolution, is CCTV technology. Present in our society for over 30 years now, CCTV remains a crucial tool when it comes to fighting crime and keeping people safe. But, as with all technology, the capabilities of CCTV have moved on considerably since it was first launched. And that’s why it’s important to understand new CCTV technology and the rules associated with it.

Which CCTV Camera is Best for an Office?

A wide range of options are available when it comes to choosing a CCTV camera for an office; the best ones to look at are:

Wireless: These cameras benefit from wireless technology and ensure that your cameras remain discreet and don’t impact the aesthetics of your office. Best of all, wireless CCTV cameras can be repositioned with minimal fuss and disruption. 

Pan/Tilt/Zoom: Offices can be large and, therefore, difficult to monitor. But a Pan/Tilt/Zoom camera gives you the freedom to rotate the view in order to investigate all activity. This allows you to keep an eye on large spaces with just one camera.

Domed: A major benefit of a domed camera is that they provide a discreet solution to your monitoring needs. With a camera housed within a dome, a domed camera minimises the intrusive effect of a ceiling-mounted camera.

When it comes to the form in which these technologies take, there are generally two options: analogue and digital. Analogue solutions tend to be more cost-effective and their network cabling London allows cameras to be set up over long distances. Digital solutions, meanwhile, provide high-quality video and continuous recording. And the footage captured, by both analogue and digital solutions, can easily be recorded directly to external hard drives. This is much more convenient than traditional videotape solutions and allows multiple backups to be created quickly.

What is the best position for CCTV?

The best place to install CCTV cameras in an office is dependent on the type of camera being used. Cameras that are unable to tilt or pan, for example, are best placed in corners of the office in order to cover a wide area. If your cameras do have the option to tilt or pan then it makes sense to position them in the centre of the office where they can maximise their coverage. Additionally, it’s important that cameras are positioned so that they can easily monitor any entry or exit points. 

What are the rules about CCTV cameras?

It’s vital that you use CCTV in a manner that is legal and respects the privacy of your staff. So, if you are installing CCTV in your office, make sure you abide by the following rules:

Inform Staff: It is illegal to install CCTV cameras without telling your staff. Make sure that this is communicated before installation and that it is referenced in any staff contracts

Follow Data Protection Laws: The recordings of your staff count as personal data, so they need to be treated correctly. In order for this data cabling Watford to remain secure, it’s essential that access to any CCTV recordings is limited to a select few. Naturally, strong password protection should also be applied to any external hard drives and recordings. 

Do Not Keep Footage Indefinitely: It’s not necessary to keep footage for any longer than it’s useful. In general, keeping footage for between 30 – 90 days is acceptable. But, after this, it should be disposed of correctly and deleted in a manner that makes it irretrievable.

Original Source: Latest CCTV Technology

Large Area WiFi

 Wi-Fi is a crucial element in any building where there are people, be it a domestic or a corporate setting. But, when you’re dealing with a Large Area of Wi-Fi, you need to be more advanced than just having a router. Wi-Fi technology has certain limitations associated with it, so it’s important that you understand how to work around these restrictions. Thankfully, as long as you learn the best ways to solve these problems, Wi-Fi in a large building should pose no issue.

Planning a Large Area Wi-Fi

Long before you start to install Wi-Fi equipment, you need to draw up a plan to minimize potential hurdles further down the line. In particular, make sure that you.

Create a Cabling Plan: Designing a thorough cabling plan is essential. Not only do you need to take your employees' productivity into consideration, but you also have to evaluate the specific needs of the building e.g. access points, ceiling cavities, etc. Scalability, of course, is another area to consider, so it makes sense to plan for future expansion. Finally, you will also need to plan which type of data cabling Watford you need and what your budget allows. Following these strategies will almost guarantee that your installation runs smoothly.

Correctly Position Wi-Fi Equipment: The signal for large area Wi-Fi needs to cover a large amount of ground; you can help your setup achieve this by positioning wireless equipment correctly. Evaluate the space that your Wi-Fi needs to cover and install wireless access points accordingly.

Choose the Right Equipment: Wi-Fi solutions for large buildings will be considerably more complex than those used in smaller locations. This means that you are going to need to invest in some serious technology to meet your location’s needs. Make sure that you cover these requirements with vendors before making any purchases. 

Common Large Area Wi-Fi Problems

All technology has the capacity to fail and cause problems; Wi-Fi is no different. Here are some of the most common Wi-Fi problems: 

Slow Connection Speeds: The main bugbear of any Wi-Fi user is slow speeds. These are often caused by installation problems, so your Wi-Fi equipment is the best place to start troubleshooting. Are, for example, your access points facing the right direction? Additionally, it may be that your access points are inadequately positioned to cover the necessary distance. 

Interference: Wi-Fi uses radio waves to send signals between devices and these transfers can easily be disrupted. The interference can be generated by power sources, cordless phones, and even microwaves. The impact of this signal disruption can quickly result in network dropouts and a reduction in productivity.

Incorrect Cabling: Cat5 and Cat6 cabling will allow you to run Wi-Fi connections over distances of around 100 metres. But, over that, they will struggle to deliver any sense of performance. And, in a large building, you may need to cover larger distances. Therefore, it may pay to investigate fibre cabling, this will allow you to transmit data over much larger distances.

What is the maximum range of Wi-Fi?

The range of a Wi-Fi signal, using traditional network cabling London, is around 100m, but this range can now be extended with fibre optic cable to a distance of up to 2,000m. Naturally, each building will have different needs and this is why a firm plan is crucial. So, by taking the time to invest some effort into your Wi-Fi structure, you should soon reap the benefits of a powerful Wi-Fi service.

Original Source: Large Area WiFi

What are the VoIP Cabling Requirements When Installing a New Phone System?

 When planning for a new telephone system installation, the first consideration should be on the infrastructure. Therefore, what data cabling do I currently have, or what are the VoIP cabling requirements that I will need.

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is simply the transmission of voice communication over a data network, such as the internet. 

With a new installation, this is straightforward. Thus, you can have a new cabling design and installation to suit the new VoIP phone system. However, with existing data cabling there can be confusion.

In this case, there may be existing cabling, but it’s not suitable for several reasons. 

1. The existing data cabling is a legacy phone cable (Such as BT) and not suitable for data transmission.

2. There is existing data cabling, but its quality of installation is not suitable for VoIP. (VoIP requires a quality of service)

3. There are not enough ports for the required telephones.

4. The structured cabling is not centralized and therefore unable to be controlled by the new phone switches. 

In brief, where these situations are present, a new data cabling installation or upgrade is required. 

What should I plan for VoIP cabling requirements? 

VoIP telephones require a data cable to each phone that originates from a data cabinet with access to a data switch. To this end, the telephone switch hardware is installed in the data cabinets throughout a building, and the phones can be wired to any switch as long as they are linked.

The data cabling can be any category of cabling from Cat5e to above. Cat5e and Cat6a are the standard choices for 1-gigabit transmission speeds. Furthermore, the 10-gigabit transmission starts with Cat6a and above. However, 1-gigabit is more than adequate for VoIP transmission.

The IT cabling Canary Wharf installation has to be at a professional level. VoIP requires a quality of service (QoS) to enable uninterrupted call quality. Indeed, unlike WiFi or PC data transmission, VoIP will result in poor quality or dropouts with poorly installed data cabling. With the PCs, it might just result in a slow loading or drop out of a hardly noticeable web page. However, with a phone, it can be an echo, buzzing, or loss of call. In short, all very frustrating and potentially costly if losing potential customers.

You may have existing cabling and not be sure if it's suitable for VoIP. 

Elements of a suitable data cabling installation for VoIP 

For the most part, the following elements should all be part of a cabling installation for VoIP.

A minimum of Cat5e with Cat6 and Cat6a preferred if scaling for higher speeds.

Installed with a well-known cabling brand

Many installations are undertaken with generic cheaper cabling systems, and these cause failure over time.

Installed onto Patch Panels inside a designated cabinet or set of cabinets

Avoid having the ends of cabling terminated onto plugs and plugged straight into switches. These fail over time

Terminated into designated outlet boxes

A dedicated cable for each telephone

Installed in correct containment and away from electrical cabling and interference

Electrical interference will cause noise and dropouts on the calls

Tested with a Fluke DSX or similar, and full test results supplied.

Without these, you will not know if the cabling is at the required standard and suitable for VoIP use.

The elements above should all be part of any data cabling installation. However, in many 

Evaluating existing structured cabling 

When you have existing data cabling Watford in place, there are similar checks you can put in place to check suitability. In this case, you would want to ensure the following

Check that there is enough cabling for each of your new phones.

Ensure that the existing cabling is Cat5e or above

Test your existing cabling with a Fluke DSX or similar 

The test results will show if the existing cabling passes to the required standard for all data transmission. With any failure, the cabling will need to be replaced to ensure good telephone performance.

Original Source: VoIP Cabling Requirements 

Structured Cabling for Your Office

 

The Best Structured Cabling for Your Office

If a modern office wants to maximize its productivity and efficiency then it needs modern cabling solutions. The common name for these modern groups of IT cabling London is structured cabling. And it’s something that your business needs to embrace. Naturally, you may be hesitant to take on a complete rewire of your office. But the benefits are so irresistible that it’s difficult to resist.

What is Structured Cabling?

The sheer number of devices that a modern office uses is remarkable. But it’s also crucial. After all, these devices help offices to enhance productivity by making complicated tasks easier. The majority of these devices rely on networks to run and this is where structured cabling comes in. Using twisted-pair Ethernet cables, structured cabling allows you to build an environment of connectivity where different devices can all be connected e.g. a PC network to a phone network.

Structured Cabling Standards

When it comes to data cabling there are a number of standards it must conform to which include:

How structured cabling enters premises and the manner in which it is terminated The details of any entrance facilities that the IT cabling Canary Wharf will pass through

Testing expectations and labeling methods for the cabling

Dimensions and build details of the communications room that the cables will enter

These standards, and many more, can be found within the BS 6701 guidelines which are part of the BS 7671 Wiring regulations.

Structured Cabling Categories

A number of different cabling categories are available that should be able to satisfy the needs of any office.

Cat 5 Cabling:

Available since 1995, Cat 5 cabling allows networks to deliver 10/100 MBps Ethernet capabilities up to distances of 100 metres. A number of improvements have been made to this category since 1995 with the latest specification being Cat 5e. This newest version of Cat 5e boasts less noise and crosstalk to deliver better data transmission.

Cat 6 Cabling:

Launched in 2002, Cat 6 cabling features copper wires which are wound more tightly than Cat 5 cabling. This has allowed it to deliver better performance with Gigabit Ethernet transmissions at distances of 100 metres and is perfect for offices. It’s also important to point out that Cat 6 cabling is fully compatible with Cat 5 cabling.

 Cat 7 Cabling:

Boasting a much thicker shielding than Cat 5 and 6 cablings, Cat 7 cabling is able to preserve data stability much better than its predecessors. Data transmissions of up to 40Gb can be achieved at 50 metres or even 100Gb at 15 metres. This is fantastic for smaller organizations, but a downside is that Cat 7 cabling is not compatible with Cat 5 or 6.

The Benefits of Good Office Cabling

Structured cabling has been developed to meet certain standards which bring a number of bene ts to its users. Therefore, if you go with a structured cabling system you can expect:

Simplicity: Structured cabling helps you build a uniform system containing either a combination of Cat 5 and 6 cables or one that contains only Cat 5, 6, or 7 cablings. This strategy allows you to minimize any complexities and makes identifying any network issues much easier. This reduces downtime and helps your office to remain productive.

Adaptability: The beauty of structured cabling is that it’s highly flexible. The high bandwidth associated with structured cabling helps you to easily integrate future applications as and when necessary. Installation of new hardware is equally easy to achieve thanks to the uniform cabling in place. Accordingly, your office can grow effortlessly and become a stronger unit with ease.

Cost-Effective: The initial install of structured cabling may seem expensive, but the long-term bene ts make it highly cost effective. Not only are IT costs lowered due to the simplicity it brings, but structured cabling also makes your employees more productive. This powerful combination will make significant savings over time and eventually pay for itself.

It is essential that you don’t underestimate the importance of cabling as part of your office setup. Proper cabling will help to ensure that you get the best from all your other equipment. For further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Original Source: Structured Cabling for Your Office

8 FAQ about Cat7 Ethernet Cable

 

What is Cat7 Ethernet Cable?

The Category 7 cable, which is often also called Cat7 Ethernet cable, is an advanced data cabling London solution. Cat7 has the ability of a range of transmission requirements such as Gigabit, 10 Gigabit, 40 GB, and 100 GB Ethernet setups. A Cat 7 cable offers performance up to 600MHz. Cat7a our performance up to 1000Mhz

However, in many situations, it is still an unknown cable category in telecom networks. Tests have shown that it can transmit 40 Gb at 50 meters and also 100 Gb at 15 meters 

What is the Cat7 Cable Specification? 

Cat7 Ethernet cable is specified in the ISO / IEC standards as a "Class F " cable. This follows on from the previous Classes such as Cat5e - Class D, Cat6 - Class E, Cat6a - ClassEa. The specifications are to cover generic data cabling situations for a wide range of applications. Therefore, whatever the technology employed, they will all perform the same over a set standard of data cabling Watford class rating

What is the Cat7 Cable Speed? 

The Cat 7 was designed to support 10 Gbps Ethernet. However, certain tests have shown it to be much higher. Furthermore, showing capability for 40 Gbps and even 100 Gbps. The 100 GB capability has been tested to 15 meters – however, an exact setup of synchronized hardware will be required. It must be kept in mind however that these are lab tests and not standards set by the cabling standard authorities.

When comparing to previous categories, it is 6 times higher than Cat5e cabling (100 MHz), and 2.4 times higher than Cat6 (250 MHz). However, it is only a slight increase up from Cat6a which has a bandwidth of 500Mhz. Although, when considering Cat7a, the performance jump from Cat6a to Cat7a is double. Thus, 500Mhz to 1000Mhz

What is the Cat7 Max Length

Cat7 standards are standardised at a permanent link of 90 meters, the same as all previous categories. There is an allowance of 5 m patch leads at each end. A direct link of 100 m is also applicable. The Cat7 max length should be considered and adhered to in all designs. Outside of these distances, the performance of the cable will be unknown

What is the Cat7 Connector?

A Cat7 connector looks in many ways similar to those of the previous data cabling categories. The RJ45 plug connector is still present. However, there are additional connection points within the termination connector. These new connectors are commonly known as TERA or GG45 connectors. These changes are replicated whether they are within a termination jack/modules, a termination plug, or a Cat7 patch cable. Also, the hardware used for transmitting and receiving must be capable of operating over these additional termination points. Therefore, a Cat7 cabling system is a large undertaking and consideration 

Is Cat7 Backwards Compatible?

Cat7 connectors are very similar in look and nature to those of the previous data cabling categories. The connector has an RJ45 central connector as the previous cabling systems also do. However, there are 4 additional connectors within the connector to increase the transmission capabilities. These connectors are commonly known as TERA or GG45 connectors.

Due to the central RJ45 connector, Cat7 cabling will plug into the previous Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a systems. The reverse is also true. However, a cabling system is only as fast as its weakest part, Therefore, when combining systems, the overall performance will only be as good as the lowest category of cabling within that link. For example, plugging a Cat7 patch leads into a cat5e system doesn't change the performance from a Cat5e system. By contrasts, plugging a cat5e patch lead into a Cat7 system reduces its cabling standards to a Cat5e cabling link 

Cat7 vs Cat6 and Cat7 vs Cat6a

How do we compare Cat7 vs Cat6? We have already seen that Cat7 has an increased bandwidth of 600Mhz and Cat7a, an increased bandwidth of 1000Mhz. Cat6 and Cat6a had previously been capable of 250Mhz and 500Mhz.

The construction of the Cat7 cable is also further advanced. It has greater shielding to protect better against EMI and alien crosstalk. Both of which hinder higher speed transmissions. Cat7 has individual shielding for the inner pair twists as well as an overall shielding for the entire cable. This is the core standard in Cat7 cables. However, it is also seen in some options for Cat6a cables, although not as the common standard.

Cat7 vs Cat8 - What is the difference between Cat7 and Cat8 

The first main difference between Cat7 vs Cat8 is the bandwidth. Cat7 Ethernet cable is rated at 600Mhz, Cat7 cable at 1000Mhz, and cat8 at 2000Mhz

Cat8 is a standard that differed from previous cabling categories. In previous categories, the standard of 90 meters was used to judge the performance of the cable. Also, what transmission speeds it was capable of over that link length. However, with Cat8 its ability over 90 m isn't of any difference to Cat6a and Cat7 in that it still only achieves 10 Gigabits at that distance.

Cat8 cable has a maximum Permanent Link Length of 24 meters and a max Channel length of 30 m when supporting 25Gbps and 40Gbps speeds. It is the first cable to be ratified at these distances. Therefore, the main difference in Cat7 vs Cat8 is the ability of Cat8 to be rated for 25 Gigabit and 40 Gigabit

Original Source: 8 FAQ about Cat7 Ethernet Cable