Classification of Network Cables

Classification of Network Cables
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Complete classification of network cables (export version, view together with certifications)

I. By transmission grade (Cat category, printed on the outer skin of the cable)
Table
Category Bandwidth Maximum Rate @100m Wire Gauge Features & Export Applications
Cat5 Five Class 100MHz 100Mbps 24AWG Outdated, almost not exported
Cat5e Enhanced Five Class 100MHz 1000Mbps 24AWG Home use / small-scale projects, good value for money; UTP/FTP both available
Cat6 Sixth Class 250MHz 1000Mbps, 55m can reach 10Gbps 23AWG With cross-structured frame; mainstream in commercial projects; UTP/FTP
Cat6A Super 6th Generation 500 MHz 10 Gigabit (Full-speed at 100 meters) 23 AWG Main for 10 Gigabit; widely used in European and American projects; mostly F/UTP/S/FTP
Cat7 Seventh Generation 600 - 1000 MHz 10 Gigabit 22 - 23 AWG Requires S/FTP double shielding; special GG45 connectors, not standard RJ45, less used in overseas projects
Cat8 Eighth Generation 2000 MHz 25G/40Gbps (Maximum 30 meters) 22 AWG Data center short distance; mandatory S/FTP double shielding
The most exported products are: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A; Cat7/Cat8 are mostly used in data centers, with small order quantities.
II. According to shielding structure (ISO/IEC 11801 standard naming, frequently used in exports)
U/UTP (UTP) Unshielded
No metal shielding; low cost, easy to install; for home use and ordinary office.
F/UTP (FTP) Single aluminum foil total shielding
All 4 pairs of wires are covered with an aluminum foil layer, with a ground current line; resistant to external interference, most commonly used in Cat6A.
U/FTP
Each pair of wires is individually wrapped in aluminum foil without an outer total shielding; it suppresses crosstalk between wire pairs.
S/FTP (SFTP) double shielding [for export high-frequency applications]
Each pair of wires is independently wrapped in aluminum foil + outer copper mesh; it offers the strongest anti-interference; Cat6A high-end, Cat7, Cat8 are mandatory uses.
Shielded cable must be grounded; otherwise, it will introduce interference; European engineering customers often specify S/FTP.
III. According to the shape of the wire core (engineering wire vs patch cord)
Solid single strand (Bulk cable for engineering bulk cable)
Solid single copper core; hard, suitable for pre-buried conduit; European engineering requires UL-Listed / CPR-CE; per box, 305m (1000ft).
⚠️: Only Solid engineering wire is subject to CPR control; patch cords are not subject to CPR control.
Stranded multiple strands (Patch cord for finished patch cords)
Multiple thin copper wires twisted together; soft, used for server room connection lines; factory-pressed RJ45 crystal head; generally, no UL-Listed required in the US.

IV. Outer sheath material (directly related to European fire protection certification)
PVC: Ordinary polyvinyl chloride; low cost; releases toxic halogen smoke during combustion; not recommended for public buildings in Europe.
LSZH / L0H low smoke and halogen-free: low smoke and halogen-free combustion; mandatory for European projects; corresponding CPR fire protection grades such as Dca/Cca/B2ca.
PE polyethylene (outdoor): black, anti-ultraviolet and waterproof; used for outdoor overhead / underground, not for indoor pre-buried.
??🇸 US sheath fire protection grades (UL/ETL)
CMP: Plenum ventilation duct level, highest fire protection; can be used in ceiling ventilation ducts; the most expensive
CMR: Riser vertical shaft level, floor vertical backbone wiring, most commonly used in export
CM: General indoor ordinary level, ordinary room wiring
??🇺 EU CPR fire protection grades (engineering network cables)
B2ca > Cca > Dca-s2-d2-a2 > Eca > Fca; most commonly used in export: Dca-s2-d2-a2, Eca; public buildings select Cca/B2ca.
V. According to the usage environment
Indoor network cables: PVC / LSZH, used for walls, server rooms, offices.
Outdoor network cables: PE black sheath; some with steel wire (self-supporting), waterproof and sunproof; not subject to CPR control.
?? Quick reference for export selection
European building pre-buried: Solid engineering wire + LSZH, need CPR-CE + DoP; patch cords only need RoHS + GPSR.
American engineering projects: Solid engineering wire, CMR/CMP sheath, UL-Listed / ETL-Listed; Cat6A commonly used F/UTP or S/FTP.
Cat6A 10-gigabit overseas projects prefer 23AWG Solid S/FTP LSZH.