The core of the installation and maintenance of Category 8 network cables (Cat8) lies in its high shielding, high bandwidth and short distance features. These precautions can directly provide professional guidance to your customers to reduce after-sales problems
I. Installation Precautions (Most crucial, directly determining whether the performance of Category 8 network Cables can be fully exerted)
Before installation: It is necessary to prepare the corresponding shielding dedicated accessories/tools
Category 8 network cables feature a double-layer advanced shielding design. Unshielded accessories cannot be mixed with them; otherwise, the shielding effect will be directly compromised.
It is necessary to use S/FTP/F/FTP shielded RJ45 crystal heads, shielded network modules, and shielded patch panels, and they must match the shielding type of the network cable (for example, S/FTP network cable with S/FTP crystal heads).
The tools must be specially designed for shielded network cables: shielded crystal head crimping pliers and special wire strippers (ordinary wire strippers for network cables cannot be used to avoid damaging the shielding layer).
2. Wiring planning: Strictly adhere to the 30-meter distance limit
The 40Gbps/25Gbps high performance of Category 8 network cables is only valid within 30 meters of the full channel (including patch cords, trunk lines, and connection lengths at the device end).
Confirm the wiring distance with the customer in advance. The interconnection of servers/switches within the cabinet (in the most common scenarios) should be controlled within 25 meters, and redundant lengths should be reserved
If the actual distance exceeds 30 meters, it is directly recommended that the customer switch to Cat6a (100 meters, 10Gbps) or optical fiber to avoid the customer not achieving the expected performance after installation
3. Installation process: Core protective shielding layer and wire pair twist pitch
This is the biggest difference between the installation of Category 8 network cables and ordinary network cables:
The shielding layer must never be damaged
When stripping the wire, only the outer sheath can be removed. It is not allowed to cut or peel off the internal aluminum foil shielding layer or braided shielding mesh
When pressing the crystal head/module, it is necessary to ensure that the shielding layer of the network cable and the shielding metal shell of the crystal head/module are in full contact and closely attached (for example, the shielding sheet of the crystal head should press the shielding foil without leaving any gap).
The shielding layer of the entire wiring link must be uniformly grounded (grounding resistance ≤4Ω), otherwise the shielding effect will drop by more than 70%
The pitch of the wire pair must not be damaged
The twist pitch of the pairs in Category 8 network cables is denser than that of Cat6/Cat6a (to reduce crosstalk). After stripping, the separation length of the pairs should not exceed 13mm. When pressing the crystal head, the twist pitch of the pairs should not be separated too much
Strictly control the bending radius
Category 8 network cables have a thicker diameter (22-23AWG), and the bending radius is required to be 8-10 times the cable diameter (for example, for a 6mm diameter network cable, the bending radius should not be less than 48mm). They cannot be folded or forcibly pulled to avoid damage to the shielding layer or deformation of the wire pairs
4. Wiring environment: Avoid strong interference sources
Although Category 8 network cables have strong anti-interference capabilities, it is still necessary to avoid wiring them on the same route as the following devices (maintaining at least a distance of 30cm) :
Strong current cables above 380V and high-power transformers
Strong electromagnetic interference equipment such as industrial frequency converters, electric welding machines, and wireless base stations
5. After installation: Professional performance testing must be conducted
The cable tester for ordinary network cables can only measure the continuity. For Category 8 network cables, a professional cable tester that supports a 2000MHz bandwidth (such as Fluke DSX-8000, Cyber CTS-8000) needs to be used for certification testing to confirm:
The bandwidth reaches 2000MHz
The transmission rate complies with the requirements of 40Gbps/25Gbps
The shielding performance meets the standards.
Ii. Maintenance Precautions
Daily maintenance: Focus on checking shielded connections
Regularly (every 3 to 6 months) check whether the shielding layer of the crystal head and module is loose or damaged. Once found, replace the matching shielding accessories in time
Do not pull or bend the network cables at will, especially the wiring inside the cabinet
Troubleshooting: Prioritize troubleshooting for shielding and distance
If the customer reports slow network speed or packet loss, check in this order:
First, check the shielding layer: whether there is any damage, whether the shielding contact of the crystal head is good, and whether the grounding is normal
Check the wiring distance again: Is it over 30 meters
Finally, check the equipment: whether the port of the switch/server supports 40Gbps (for Category 8 network cables, a 10G / 40G port is required).
Expansion/replacement: Accessories of the same specification must be used
When replacing network cables or adding new wiring, only the same type of Cat8 shielded network cables and shielded accessories can be used. Unshielded products must not be mixed to avoid damaging the shielding effect of the entire link
Cleaning: Avoid corroding the shielding layer
If the surface of the network cable gets dirty, gently wipe it with a dry cloth or 75% alcohol. Do not use corrosive cleaners (such as dishwashing liquid or disinfectant) to prevent damage to the outer sheath and shielding layer
