The answer may depend on who you ask. For the record, the Category 7/Class F cabling standards have been globally ratified and standardized since 2002 in support of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standards over 100 meters (328 ft) of copper cabling. CAT 7 network cable contains four twisted copper wire pairs, precisely the same as other Ethernet-based cabling standards. Category 7/Class F cabling is characterized up to 600 MHz and can be terminated either with Category 7/Class F compliant 4-pair cabling outlets compatible with the shielded GG45/ARJ45 electrical connectors (originally developed by Nexans) or with the shielded TERA connectors (originally developed by The Siemon Company).
In 2002, Category 7/Class F cabling was adopted by the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest technical professional organization for the advancement of technology. The US-based Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) sponsors numerous technical committees and actively participates in structured cabling standards development work within the ISO/IEC and IEEE organizations. Category 7/Class F cabling has been widely accepted and adopted globally, especially in countries that have traditionally used shielded network cabling.
Ironically, the Category 7/Class F cabling standards have never been adopted by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) here in the United States (US). The TIA is the leading US trade association for information and communications technology (ICT). Since Category 7/Class F cabling was not adopted by TIA, it has not achieved wide-spread implementation in the US. For any Wired Communications customers or prospective customers who may be interested in Category 7/Class F cabling, Wired Communications is proud to report that our structured cabling experts are trained/certified in the design, installation, and maintenance of these systems.
To answer the question “Is there such a thing as CAT 7 network cable in our future?” we reply; although global industry standards organizations (ISO/IEC, IEEE) have adopted the Category 7/Class F cabling standards, this type of cabling has had limited implementation here in the US due to the lack of adoption by the TIA.
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WIRED Engineering Staff
Pictures – Leviton