Category Cables CAT 7

Summary: Category Cables CAT 7

Category Cables CAT 7

Windy City Wire manufactures low-voltage SmartWire® Category Cable for demanding commercial and industrial networks. Our CAT 7 offering delivers consistent electrical performance in environments where uptime, noise immunity, and clean terminations matter. As a direct partner to integrators, contractors, and distributors, we supply products and solutions that help streamline installation and support network optimization across diverse networking technologies.

Why choose Windy City Wire CAT 7 for your next project

• Performance you can specify: Rated Category 7 and tested to 600 MHz to support high-bandwidth applications and help future-proof structured cabling backbones.
• Noise mitigation: Shielded plenum construction with each pair shielded (EPS) helps reduce crosstalk and external interference in electrically noisy areas and mission-critical spaces.
• Plenum-rated: CMP plenum suitability supports installation in environmental air spaces per applicable codes while maintaining signal integrity.
• SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication: Standard on all SmartWire cables to reduce pulling friction by up to 70% for smoother installs—without residue you can see or feel.
• FastFIND Footage Markers: Bold, easy-to-read footage indicators appear every two feet in ascending/descending sequences so crews can verify total footage, calculate point‑to‑point lengths quickly, and reduce cable waste by 15–25%.
• Installation clarity: Standard pair color code (White‑Blue/Blue, White‑Orange/Orange, White‑Green/Green, White‑Brown/Brown) supports fast identification and termination.
• Compliance and build quality: RoHS compliant, 0.305" nominal OD, and engineered for consistent pullability and jacket durability in commercial pathways.
• Part of the RackPack Field Systems Solution: SmartWire cable integrates with our complete solution to improve safety and efficiency for users while reducing labor costs on every project.
• Color options and standardization: SmartWire jacket and stripe colors can be customized to help standardize your organization’s installations and simplify identification. Contact our team for customization options.

Where CAT 7 fits

• Enterprise switching floors and building risers requiring robust shielding and bandwidth headroom.
• Industrial facilities with higher EMI where reliable signal delivery is essential for control, monitoring, and networking technologies.
• Security, AV distribution, and backbone links that benefit from consistent performance and reduced rework.

Product details at a glance

• Category: Category Cable (cat7 / cat 7 cables)
• Construction: 22 AWG, 4 Pair, Bare Copper; Shielded Plenum (EPS)
• Performance: Rated Category 7; tested to 600 MHz
• Compliance: RoHS compliant
• Color Code: White‑Blue/Blue, White‑Orange/Orange, White‑Green/Green, White‑Brown/Brown
• Nominal OD: 0.305 inch

Available construction

• 22 AWG 4 Pair Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Low-Voltage: Rated Category 7 (tested to 600 MHz); EPS each‑pair shielding and plenum rating help combat EMI and support use in air‑handling spaces.

How SmartWire adds measurable value

• Faster installs and fewer callbacks: SmartWire Glide Technology lubrication supports smoother pulls through challenging pathways.
• Better material utilization: FastFIND Footage Markers help verify delivered footage, track remaining cable, calculate run distances, and minimize leftover scrap.
• Crew-friendly standardization: Clear pair identification and the option to standardize jacket/stripe colors make large rollouts more consistent.
• Built for commercial environments: Shielded plenum construction aligns with the needs of data-intensive facilities and helps support network optimization objectives.

Partner with Windy City Wire

We serve professional integrators, contractors, and distributors who need dependable low-voltage Category Cable that installs cleanly and performs consistently. SmartWire CAT 7 is engineered to reduce labor, support high-performance networks, and fit seamlessly into project workflows—backed by a team that understands commercial jobsite requirements. Connect with Windy City Wire to review specifications, customization options, and to align our products and solutions with your next project.

Solutions: Category Cables CAT 7

Commercial-Grade CAT 7 Category Cable Solutions

Windy City Wire CAT 7 Category Cable is built for demanding commercial and industrial environments where consistent performance, code compliance, and long-term reliability matter. This shielded plenum Category Cable leverages 4-pair bare copper conductors and a comprehensive shielding design to deliver strong noise immunity and dependable throughput for modern networking technologies. Tested to 600 MHz and RoHS compliant, our CAT 7 option helps integrators, contractors, and distributors deploy 10 Gigabit Ethernet and high-bandwidth applications with confidence—especially in electrically noisy spaces and plenum air-handling areas.

Performance That Supports Today’s Networking Technologies

• Shielded Plenum Construction: A plenum-rated jacket and shielded architecture help mitigate EMI/RFI and alien crosstalk—ideal for dense cable trays, risers, and pathways near motors, VFDs, or fluorescent/LED drivers.
• High Bandwidth and Headroom: Tested to 600 MHz to support 10GBASE-T and bandwidth-intensive systems, giving projects added headroom for network optimization over time.
• Bare Copper, Large Conductor Design: Robust conductors support stable PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ power delivery with lower DC resistance, helping reduce voltage drop and improve device uptime across longer pathways.
• Consistent Termination and Installation: Precision-twisted pairs and shielding stability support predictable performance from patch panel to endpoint.

Where CAT 7 Category Cable Fits Best

CAT 7 shielded plenum Category Cable is a strong choice for projects where interference mitigation, plenum compliance, and 10G performance are required. Common applications include:

• Enterprise LANs: Core-to-edge connections, IDF to workgroup switches, and permanent links that must support 10G and future-ready networking technologies.
• Wi‑Fi and Wireless: PoE-fed Wi‑Fi 6/6E access points in open ceilings or plenum spaces where shielding and stability improve overall network optimization.
• IP Video Surveillance: High-resolution cameras, multi-sensor devices, and video analytics platforms that need consistent power and low-noise data paths.
• Access Control and Security: Door controllers, readers, intercoms, and IP-based security endpoints with PoE requirements and sensitivity to electrical noise.
• Pro AV and AV over IP: 4K/60 distribution, KVM extenders, and encoders/decoders that benefit from shielded cabling to mitigate interference in shared pathways.
• Building Automation (BAS): HVAC controllers, sensors, and smart building endpoints using Ethernet/IP or BACnet/IP that require plenum compliance and reliable PoE.
• Industrial and Manufacturing: Floor environments with heavy machinery where shielding helps protect data integrity adjacent to high EMI sources.
• Healthcare, Education, and Government: Facilities that need stable 10G backbones and long-term serviceability across a variety of connected devices.
• Hospitality, Venues, and Retail: Unified networks carrying voice, video, access control, and analytics over a secure, shielded copper backbone.

Benefits for Integrators and Contractors

• Reliable 10G Performance: CAT 7 construction supports high throughput for converged networks and data-heavy endpoints.
• EMI Protection: Shielding reduces interference from lighting systems, elevator motors, generators, and other electrical equipment.
• Power Over Ethernet Stability: Heavier-gauge copper helps with PoE++ power budgets and heat management across extended pathways.
• Plenum Compliance: Suitable for use in return-air spaces, supporting code-driven designs and specification requirements.
• Project Efficiency: When paired with RackPack on the jobsite, multi-run deployments can be staged and pulled more efficiently, helping reduce labor time and material waste.

Typical Systems and Integrations Supported by CAT 7

• LAN, WAN, and Distribution Switching
• 10GBASE‑T aggregation links and high-density patching
• PoE/PoE+/PoE++ endpoints (cameras, WAPs, access control, intercoms, sensors)
• AV over IP, HDBaseT-style extenders, and KVM
• BAS, smart building, and IoT sensor networks
• VoIP and Unified Communications
• Edge compute nodes and appliance interconnects

Industry Use Cases

1. Commercial Offices and Campuses: Standardize on shielded CAT 7 for long-term flexibility—support 10G, PoE++ cameras, and conference AV on a common physical layer.
2. Healthcare: Serve imaging, nurse call integrations, telemetry devices, and secure networks where plenum compliance and shielding are critical.
3. Education: Support dense Wi‑Fi, classroom AV, security, and building control systems under one structured cabling plan.
4. Industrial/Manufacturing: Protect signal integrity in high‑EMI production areas while powering smart sensors and IP devices.
5. Hospitality and Large Venues: Deliver consistent performance for POS, IP video, digital signage, and back‑of‑house systems across large footprints.
6. Retail and Distribution: Connect cameras, APs, RFID readers, and analytics platforms where reliability drives operations.

Why Specify Windy City Wire CAT 7 Category Cable

• Shielded plenum Category Cable designed for commercial and industrial use
• Tested to 600 MHz for headroom and long-term network optimization
• Bare copper conductors for reliable PoE delivery and consistent performance
• RoHS compliant materials for modern building standards
• Backed by a partner-focused approach for integrators, contractors, and distributors

Selecting CAT 7 for Your Next Project

• Assess PoE power budgets and run lengths to ensure stable device operation.
• Consider EMI exposure and pathway type—plenum areas and electrically noisy spaces benefit from shielded plenum designs.
• Plan for bandwidth needs over the life of the installation; 10G headroom supports evolving networking technologies.
• Coordinate with terminations and grounding best practices for shielded cabling.

For projects that demand reliable 10G performance, robust shielding, and code-compliant plenum construction, Windy City Wire CAT 7 Category Cable provides a clear path forward. It is a dependable foundation for modern cat7 deployments, helping teams improve network optimization while supporting a wide range of IP-based systems across commercial and industrial facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions: Category Cables CAT 7

• What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire Category CAT 7 cables?

  These cat 7 cables are available in 22 AWG, 4-pair bare copper. They are shielded plenum (CMP), rated Category 7, tested to 600 MHz, and RoHS compliant—ideal for high-performance networking technologies and network optimization.

• What other colors are these SmartWire Category CAT 7 cables available in?

  Available colors: White-Blue/Blue and White-Orange/Orange. SmartWire can also be made in custom jacket and stripe color combinations to match your organization’s standards—contact Windy City Wire for details.

• Are these SmartWire Category CAT 7 cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  They use solid bare copper conductors for stable performance and long-term structured cabling installations.

• What lengths are these SmartWire Category CAT 7 cables sold in?

  Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire Category Cable in 1,000 ft length as our standard. For easier pulls, SmartWire cables come standard with SmartWire Glide lubrication to reduce friction during installation.

• How is your SmartWire low-voltage Category Cable sold—on spools or in boxes?

  Our SmartWire Category Cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton as part of our complete solution for safety and efficiency. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

• What are the main differences between CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A, and CAT7 cables?
  • CAT5e: Up to 1 Gbps, 100 MHz; common for basic data networks.
  • CAT6: 250 MHz; 1 Gbps to 100 m and up to 10 Gbps to ~55 m; improved crosstalk control.
  • CAT6A: 500 MHz; 10 Gbps to 100 m; superior alien crosstalk mitigation, thicker construction.
  • CAT7: 600 MHz; typically fully shielded (e.g., S/FTP); 10 Gbps to 100 m with excellent noise immunity—well suited for cat7 upgrades, interference-heavy spaces, and advanced network optimization.

• What are some popular Category Cable colors and what do they stand for?
  • Blue: General data/LAN.
  • White or Gray: Office/horizontal cabling or general purpose.
  • Red: Critical systems, uplinks, or restricted networks.
  • Yellow: PoE devices, security, or wireless.
  • Green: Management networks or crossover legacy identification.
  • Orange: Demarc/interconnects or backbone links.
  • Purple: A/V, IP cameras, or specialty low-voltage.
  • Black: Outdoor, stage/production, or CCTV.
  Conventions vary by organization—standardize to your site policies. SmartWire can be produced in custom jacket and stripe color combinations for easy identification across projects.

Additional Links:

• Learn more about our SmartWire Cable
• The RackPack - Our patented cable delivery solution
• Our Transporters - RackPack Transportation Devices
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