When purchasing Cat7 bulk cables, the most critical factors to consider are the conductor material (always choose 100% pure bare copper over CCA), conductor type (solid for permanent installations vs. stranded for patch cords), and the cable jacket’s fire-safety rating (Plenum, Riser, or CM) to match your installation environment. Additionally, you must evaluate the shielding type (S/FTP), wire gauge (AWG), connector compatibility, and third-party certifications (UL, ETL) to ensure performance, safety, and compliance for your network setup.

Upgrading or building a network is a significant investment, and the cabling infrastructure is its very backbone. As data demands grow, many are looking towards high-performance solutions like Category 7, or Cat7, cable. Known for its impressive specifications—supporting 10 Gbps speeds at frequencies up to 600 MHz—Cat7 promises a robust and future-proof network. However, buying Cat7 bulk cable isn’t as simple as picking a color and length. The market is flooded with options of varying quality, and making the wrong choice can lead to underperformance, safety hazards, and wasted money. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every essential factor, empowering you to select the perfect Cat7 bulk cable for your specific needs.

Understanding Cat7: More Than Just Speed

Before diving into purchasing criteria, it’s crucial to understand what Cat7 cable is and its place in the networking world. Cat7 is an Ethernet cable standard defined by the ISO/IEC 11801. It is designed to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) over 100 meters of copper cabling and is tested to a frequency of 600 MHz. What truly sets Cat7 apart from its predecessors like Cat6 is its mandatory, advanced shielding. This feature makes it highly resistant to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk, which are major culprits of network slowdowns in noisy environments.

However, there’s a significant caveat: Cat7 is not officially recognized by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the primary standards body in North America. The TIA’s preferred standard for 10GbE is Cat6A. This “standards controversy” means that while Cat7 is a legitimate international standard, you must be extra diligent when purchasing, as adherence can vary. The key takeaway is that Cat7’s main advantage lies in its superior shielding, making it a specialized choice rather than a universal upgrade.

9 Key Factors to Consider Before Buying Cat7 Bulk Cable

Navigating the specifications on a box of bulk cable can be daunting. Let’s break down the nine most important factors to scrutinize to ensure you get a high-quality product that meets your needs.

1. Conductor Material: Pure Bare Copper vs. Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA)

This is arguably the most important factor in your decision. The conductors are the metal wires inside the cable that transmit data signals. Your only choice for a compliant, safe, and high-performance network should be 100% pure bare copper. Copper has excellent conductivity, is flexible, and effectively dissipates heat, which is critical for Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications.

Beware of cheap alternatives labeled as Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA). These cables use an aluminum core with a thin copper coating. CCA is a vastly inferior material for data cabling. It has higher resistance, leading to more data loss (attenuation) and reduced signal strength over distance. Furthermore, aluminum is brittle and breaks easily during installation. Most critically, CCA cables pose a significant safety risk in PoE applications as they cannot handle the same power load as pure copper, leading to dangerous heat buildup and potential fire hazards. Always verify the product description explicitly states “100% Bare Copper” or “Solid Copper”.

2. Conductor Type: Solid vs. Stranded Core

Ethernet cables come in two conductor types, each designed for a different purpose. Choosing the right one is essential for the integrity and longevity of your installation.

• Solid Conductor Cables: These feature a single, solid piece of copper for each of the eight conductors. Solid cables are the standard for permanent, “structured cabling” installations—the long runs inside walls, ceilings, and between floors. They offer lower DC resistance and better electrical performance over long distances. However, they are less flexible and are not designed to be repeatedly bent or moved. For any bulk cable purchase intended for infrastructure, solid is the way to go.
• Stranded Conductor Cables: In these cables, each conductor is made up of multiple, thinner strands of copper wire twisted together. This construction makes them much more flexible and durable when it comes to repeated flexing. Stranded cables are ideal for creating custom-length patch cords that connect devices to wall outlets or patch panels. They are not recommended for long, in-wall runs due to higher signal loss (attenuation).

3. Shielding Type: The S/FTP Gold Standard

Cat7’s primary advantage is its shielding. Per the ISO/IEC standard, all Cat7 cables must be shielded. The specific type is called S/FTP (Shielded/Foiled Twisted Pair). This involves two layers of protection: an overall braided screen or shield that encases all four twisted pairs, and an individual foil shield wrapped around each separate twisted pair. This dual-shielding design provides maximum protection against both external EMI (from power lines, fluorescent lights, motors) and internal crosstalk between the wire pairs. This robust shielding is what allows Cat7 to maintain signal integrity at its high 600 MHz frequency, making it ideal for electrically noisy environments like manufacturing facilities, hospitals, or dense data centers.

4. Wire Gauge (AWG): Why Thickness Matters

AWG, or American Wire Gauge, is a measure of the conductor’s diameter. It’s a counter-intuitive scale: the lower the AWG number, the thicker the wire. For Cat7 cables, you will typically find gauges between 22 AWG and 23 AWG. A thicker wire (lower AWG) has less electrical resistance, which means it can carry signals over longer distances with less degradation and handle the heat from PoE applications more effectively. While a 23 AWG cable is perfectly acceptable and common for Cat7, a 22 AWG cable will offer slightly better performance and power-handling headroom. Be wary of any “Cat7” cable advertised with a higher AWG number like 24 or 26, as it will likely not meet performance specifications.

5. Cable Jacket Rating: Safety and Code Compliance

The outer sheath of the cable, known as the jacket, has fire-safety ratings that are a legal requirement for installation in commercial and many residential buildings. Using the wrong jacket type is a code violation and a serious fire hazard. You must choose a rating that matches your installation environment.

Jacket Rating	Full Name	Intended Use	Characteristics
CMP	Communications Multipurpose, Plenum	In “plenum” spaces—areas that handle air circulation for heating and air conditioning, such as drop ceilings and raised floors.	Highest fire resistance. Emits minimal smoke when burned. Most expensive.
CMR	Communications Multipurpose, Riser	In vertical shafts and runs between floors (not in plenum spaces).	Designed to prevent fire from spreading between floors. Less strict than plenum.
CM/CMG	Communications Multipurpose/General	General-purpose horizontal wiring on a single floor. Not for use in plenum or riser spaces.	Basic fire resistance. Most common for patch cords and open-air residential runs.

Always check your local building and fire codes before purchasing to ensure you are compliant.

6. Connector Compatibility: The RJ45 Dilemma

This is a major point of confusion for Cat7. The official, standardized connectors for the Cat7 specification are the GG45 or TERA connectors. These are not the familiar RJ45 plugs used for most Ethernet connections. However, since RJ45 is ubiquitous, most “Cat7” installations today use Cat7-rated RJ45 connectors. The problem is that a standard Cat6 or Cat5e RJ45 plug will not work properly. Cat7 wires are thicker (lower AWG) and the cable includes a drain wire for grounding the shield. Therefore, you must use modular plugs specifically designed for Cat7 cable. These connectors have wider channels for the conductors, are often shielded themselves, and have a method for properly terminating the shield’s drain wire. Using the wrong connectors will negate the benefits of the cable and likely limit your performance to Cat6A levels at best.

7. Certifications and Standards: Proof of Quality

Because the market has many low-quality options, independent, third-party verification is crucial. Look for marks from reputable testing laboratories on the cable jacket or packaging:

• UL Listed: Underwriters Laboratories (UL) tests cables for safety and fire resistance according to national codes. A UL listing is a strong indicator of a safe, well-made cable.
• ETL Verified: Intertek’s ETL mark verifies that the cable meets the performance standards it claims (e.g., TIA or ISO specifications). For Cat7, this would mean it meets the ISO/IEC 11801 standard for 600 MHz performance.
• RoHS Compliant: This ensures the cable is free from specific hazardous materials, making it safer for people and the environment.

Cables without these certifications should be viewed with extreme skepticism, as there is no guarantee of their safety or performance claims.

8. Spool Length and Packaging

Bulk cable is typically sold in spools or pull-boxes of 500ft or 1000ft (approximately 305 meters). Consider the scale of your project to avoid waste or running short. A pull-box is often more convenient for installers, as it allows the cable to be pulled out smoothly without tangles and protects the remaining cable. Spools may require a stand for easy deployment. Also, check for sequential footage markers printed on the cable jacket. These markers are invaluable during installation, allowing you to know exactly how much cable you have pulled and how much is left on the spool.

9. Brand Reputation and Support

Finally, consider the manufacturer. Established brands with a history of producing quality networking gear are generally a safer bet than no-name sellers. Reputable brands often provide detailed specification sheets, installation guides, and customer support. Reading reviews from other installers and IT professionals can provide real-world insight into the cable’s quality, ease of termination, and true performance. A slightly higher price for a trusted brand can provide peace of mind and save you from costly troubleshooting down the line.

Cat7 vs. The Alternatives: Cat6A and Cat8

No purchasing decision is made in a vacuum. It’s important to know how Cat7 stacks up against its main alternatives, Cat6A and Cat8, to determine if it’s truly the right choice for you.

Feature	Cat6A	Cat7	Cat8
Max Speed	10 Gbps @ 100m	10 Gbps @ 100m	25/40 Gbps @ 30m
Max Frequency	500 MHz	600 MHz	2000 MHz
Shielding	Optional (UTP or F/UTP)	Mandatory (S/FTP)	Mandatory (S/FTP)
TIA Recognition	Yes (ANSI/TIA-568-C.2)	No	Yes (ANSI/TIA-568-C.2-1)
Primary Use Case	Standard for new 10GbE office and home networks.	10GbE in high-EMI environments.	Data Center top-of-rack or end-of-row connections.

For most new installations in North America requiring 10GbE, Cat6A is the industry-standard recommendation. It is TIA-recognized, more cost-effective, and easier to terminate with standard components. You should only choose Cat7 over Cat6A if your primary concern is mitigating extreme EMI and crosstalk. Cat8 is a different beast entirely, designed for the next generation of data center speeds (25/40Gbps) but over a much shorter distance of 30 meters.

Practical Application: Where Does Cat7 Shine?

Despite the TIA’s stance, Cat7 has specific use cases where its unique features provide real value:

• High-Interference Environments: Its robust S/FTP shielding makes it a superior choice for installations near heavy machinery, high-voltage electrical panels, large motors, or banks of fluorescent lighting.
• High-End Smart Homes & “Future-Proofing”: For tech enthusiasts building a home network designed to last a decade or more, Cat7 can provide peace of mind. Its shielding can benefit dense deployments of IoT and PoE devices (cameras, access points, smart lighting).
• Audio/Video Applications: Professionals in A/V distribution sometimes prefer Cat7 for its ability to deliver a pristine signal, free from the electronic “noise” that can degrade audio or video quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Cat7 worth it for a home network?

For most homes, Cat6A is more than sufficient for 10Gbps networking and is more cost-effective and easier to install. Cat7 is overkill unless you live in an environment with unusually high electronic interference or are a tech enthusiast who wants the absolute best shielding available for future applications.

Can I use my old RJ45 connectors with Cat7 cable?

No. Standard RJ45 connectors for Cat5e/Cat6 will not fit the thicker 22-23 AWG conductors of Cat7 cable. You must purchase shielded RJ45 connectors specifically designed for the diameter and shielding requirements of Cat7 to achieve proper termination and performance.

Why isn’t Cat7 recognized by the TIA?

When the 10GbE standard was being developed, the TIA chose to move forward with the Cat6A standard as its preferred solution. They later developed Cat8 for 40GbE data center applications, effectively “skipping” Cat7. Cat7 remains an active ISO/IEC international standard, popular primarily in Europe.

Do I really need shielded cable?

For typical home and small office environments with no major sources of interference, unshielded (UTP) Cat6A is often adequate. However, if your cable runs will be near power lines, transformers, or other sources of EMI, or if you want the most stable signal possible for critical applications, shielded cable (like Cat7’s S/FTP) is highly recommended.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Network

Purchasing Cat7 bulk cable is a nuanced decision that goes far beyond speed ratings. By prioritizing the core technical specifications, you can build a network that is not only fast but also reliable and safe. Always remember the non-negotiables: 100% pure bare copper conductors, the correct solid core for infrastructure runs, and a jacket rating (CMP/CMR/CM) that complies with your local codes. Pay close attention to the need for Cat7-specific connectors and look for UL and ETL certifications as your proof of quality.

While Cat6A remains the TIA-backed workhorse for 10GbE, Cat7 carves out a vital niche for those who demand the highest level of noise immunity. By carefully weighing these nine factors, you can confidently invest in a cabling infrastructure that will serve your high-speed data needs for years to come.