Side-by-Side Comparison
Ethernet Cables
Cat 6A vs. Cat 7
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Cat 6A
Cat 7
Category 6a (Cat 6a, Augmented) is a standardized twisted-pair cable defined in ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 and ISO/IEC 11801 Class E_A. Operating at frequencies up to 500 MHz, it is the primary standard for 10GBASE-T (10 Gbps) across the full 100-meter channel distance, featuring strict Alien Crosstalk (ANEXT) suppression.
Category 7 (Cat 7) is an ISO/IEC 11801 Class F cable standard ratified in 2002. Operating at frequencies up to 600 MHz, it mandates S/FTP individual pair shielding and was engineered for proprietary GG45 and TERA connectors. Cat 7 is not recognized by the American TIA/EIA standard body.
Specification Comparison Table
13 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Frequency Bandwidth
|
500 MHz | 600 MHz |
|
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
|
10 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
|
Channel Classification
|
ISO/IEC 11801 Class E_A | ISO/IEC 11801 Class F |
|
Max Channel Length (10 Gbps)
|
100 m | — |
|
Alien Crosstalk (ANEXT) Specification
|
Mandatory | — |
|
Wire Gauge (Typical)
|
23 AWG | — |
|
Standard Connector
|
8P8C (RJ45) | — |
|
Common Shielding
|
F/UTP, U/FTP, or U/UTP with thick jacket | — |
|
Max Channel Length
|
— | 100 m |
|
Shielding Requirement
|
— | S/FTP (Screened/Foiled Twisted Pair) |
|
Native Connectors
|
— | GG45 (IEC 60603-7-7) / TERA (IEC 61076-3-104) |
|
ANSI/TIA Recognition
|
— | None (Not recognized by TIA) |
|
RJ45 Native Compliance
|
— | No (Limits performance to Cat 6a) |