# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Ethernet Cables

Cat 7 vs. Cat 8.2

Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Cat 7
Cat 8.2

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.

View full Cat 7 spec sheet →

Category 8.2 (Cat 8.2) is an ISO/IEC 11801-1 Class II cable standard operating at 2000 MHz (2 GHz). Engineered for 25GBASE-T and 40GBASE-T over 30-meter channels, it uses non-RJ45 connectors (TERA, ARJ45, GG45) derived from Cat 7a Class F_A hardware, offering superior internal crosstalk margins.

View full Cat 8.2 spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

12 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Frequency Bandwidth
600 MHz 2000 MHz
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
10 Gbps 40 Gbps
Max Channel Length
100 m 30 m
Shielding Requirement
S/FTP (Screened/Foiled Twisted Pair) S/FTP or F/FTP (strictly shielded)
Channel Classification
ISO/IEC 11801 Class F ISO/IEC 11801-1 Class II
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)
Supported Physical Layers
25GBASE-T / 40GBASE-T
Permanent Link Max Length
24 m
Standard Connectors
TERA (IEC 61076-3-104), GG45 / ARJ45 (IEC 60603-7-71)
RJ45 Backward Compatibility
Requires hybrid patch cords / adapters