27 products
Cat8 Ethernet Patch Cables | 40Gbps S/FTP
Cat8 S/FTP Ethernet Patch Cables — 40 Gbps, 2000 MHz
Conversions Tech Cat8 patch cables deliver 40 Gbps speeds at 2000 MHz bandwidth with full S/FTP shielding for EMI-free performance in demanding environments. Available in flat and round profiles, 0.5ft to 25ft, with stranded bare copper conductors and gold-plated RJ45 connectors.
Cat8 specifications
- Speed: Up to 40 Gbps (40GBASE-T)
- Bandwidth: 2000 MHz
- Shielding: S/FTP (shielded foil twisted pair)
- Conductor: 24 AWG stranded bare copper
- Connectors: Gold-plated RJ45, backward compatible with Cat7/Cat6a/Cat6/Cat5e
- Max channel length: 30 meters per IEEE 802.3
When to use Cat8
Cat8 is engineered for short-reach, high-speed data center interconnects: top-of-rack switch to server links, SAN storage networking, and 25/40GBASE-T connections under 30 meters. The full S/FTP shielding eliminates crosstalk in dense cable bundles.
For general-purpose runs over 30m, see our Cat6/Cat6a patch cables. For fiber backbone, see fiber optic patch cables. For a full comparison, read our Cat6 vs Cat6a vs Cat7 guide.
Need Cat8 for a data center buildout? Contact us for volume pricing and custom lengths.
Cat 8 Ethernet Cable FAQ
1. What is a Cat 8 Ethernet cable?
Cat 8 is the newest ANSI/TIA-568.2-D copper standard, rated for 40 Gbps and 2000 MHz with mandatory shielding to crush crosstalk and EMI.
2. How fast are Conversions Tech Cat 8 cables?
They deliver 40 Gbps up to 30 m, auto-negotiating down to 25G/10G/1G when connected to legacy gear.
3. What bandwidth do they support?
2 GHz (2000 MHz)—four times the bandwidth of Cat 6A, ensuring headroom for future encoding schemes.
4. What’s the maximum channel length?
30 m (≈100 ft) end-to-end or 24 m permanent link for 25/40 G. At 10 G or lower, Cat 8 reaches the classic 100 m.
5. Is Cat 8 backward-compatible with Cat 6A/6/5e?
Yes—our RJ-45 Class I connectors snap into any 8P8C port and auto-negotiate to the highest common speed.
6. Cat 8 vs. Cat 6A—what’s the real-world difference?
Cat 6A tops out at 10 Gbps/500 MHz; Cat 8 quadruples both bandwidth and throughput, letting you run one 40 G link instead of four 10 G links.
7. What type of shielding do Conversions Tech cables use?
Each pair is foil-wrapped (F/FTP) and then covered by an overall tinned-copper braid, providing >80 dB alien-crosstalk rejection.
8. Are the conductors 100 % copper?
Absolutely. We use solid bare copper (22 AWG in bulk, 26 AWG in slim patch) for ultra-low DC resistance and full PoE ++ headroom—never CCA.
9. What wire gauge does Cat 8 use?
Bulk cable ships in heavy-duty 22 AWG; our flexible patch leads use 26 AWG stranded conductors.
10. Do they support PoE, PoE+, and PoE ++?
Yes—up to the full IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 spec (90 W) with plenty of thermal headroom.
11. Does Cat 8 reduce latency?
Physical cable latency is already microseconds, but Cat 8’s lower insertion loss and shielding cut retransmits, giving a cleaner, more stable link for gaming and VoIP.
12. Can I run Cat 8 outdoors or direct-burial?
Yes—choose our Cat 8 Direct-Burial variant with UV-resistant LLDPE jacket and gel-filled core for water blocking. Just ground the drain wire at entry.
13. Do you offer plenum-rated Cat 8?
We stock CMP plenum and CMR riser jackets, each ETL-verified to NFPA 262 flame and smoke standards.
14. What’s the minimum bend radius?
Roughly 4 × OD. For our 7.8 mm bulk cable that’s ~31 mm (1.2 in).
15. How do I terminate Cat 8?
Use shielded Cat 8 plugs or tool-less keystones: strip 1″, fan pairs, clamp foil & braid, crimp strain relief, then certify to TIA 568B.
16. Do I need special keystone jacks?
For 40 G, yes—Cat 8 metal-body keystones. For ≤10 G, quality Cat 6A shielded keystones work, though full Cat 8 hardware is ideal.
17. Cat 8 vs. fiber—when should I pick copper?
Up to 30 m, Cat 8 is cheaper and easier to terminate than QSFP+ DAC or fiber while re-using RJ-45 switches. Beyond 30 m, fiber wins.
18. Is Cat 8 overkill for gaming and streaming?
If you want absolute future-proofing, yes—and you also get lower crosstalk, potential latency improvements, and multi-gig upgrade room.
19. How well does Cat 8 handle EMI?
The dual-shield design blocks RFI from power cables, fluorescent ballasts, and industrial machinery, keeping NEXT/ANEXT well within spec.
20. What’s the operating temperature range?
-40 °C to +75 °C for bulk solid; patch leads are rated -20 °C – +60 °C.
21. What certifications do Conversions Tech Cat 8 cables carry?
ETL-verified to TIA-568.2-D Cat 8 and ISO/IEC 11801 Class I, plus RoHS and REACH compliant.
22. What warranty is included?
Lifetime performance warranty plus a 30-day money-back guarantee.
23. Which colors and lengths are available?
Patch cords in black, blue, and white from 3 ft to 100 ft; bulk spools (500 ft & 1000 ft) in blue or white. Custom colors on MOQ ≥ 5 km.
24. Can I order custom assemblies or branding?
Absolutely—laser-etched logos, bespoke lengths, and pre-terminated trunks are available with fast lead times.
25. How does Cat 8 pricing compare to Cat 6A?
Typically 1.5 × – 2 × per foot, but you replace four 10 G links with one 40 G run, lowering port counts and switch costs.
26. Where can I download the full spec sheet?
Click here for the PDF—impedance plots, alien-crosstalk curves, and PoE derating tables included.
*Specifications, features, and availability are subject to change without notice. Conversions Tech reserves the right to make modifications at any time.*
