Can You Use Cat 7 Cable for CCTV? Benefits and Considerations

The key to getting optimal performance and reliability for your CCTV systems, you have to ensure the best cabling solution. So, can you use CAT 7 for your CCTV?

The CAT 5e and CAT 6 cables are traditionally being used in CCTV systems from the beginning. But it doesn’t mean you can’t use the CAT 7 for your CCTV camera. Even you can get a longer ranger at the same speed while using the CAT 7 cable.

However, it may have some drawbacks too. In this article, we will explore whether CAT 7 can be used for CCTV systems, considering its compatibility, benefits, and potential drawbacks.

CAT 7 Compatibility with CCTV Systems

CAT 7 cables typically use RJ-45 connectors while most CCTV cameras come with standard connectors such as BNC (Bayonet Neill–Concelman) or RJ-45 (Registered Jack-45). But the good news is, CAT 7 cable is compatible with almost all the CCTV cameras.

If the camera has the RJ-45 port, then you can directly use the CAT 7 cable. But if the camera has the BNC port, then you may need to use an Rj-45 to BNC adapter to connect the camera with the CAT 7 cable.

However, the CAT 6 cables with 1GB/s speed are used for most CCTV cameras while CAT 7 cables are mostly used for gaming, streaming, and up/download performance boosts due to having the ultimate speed of 10GB/s.

Now let’s check why should you use CAT 7 cable for your CCTV and why shouldn’t.

Benefits of CAT 7 for CCTV

You can get a lot of benefits from using CAT 7 cable for your CCTV. Here are the reasons why you should use CAT 7 instead of CAT 5e or CAT 6 for your CCTV:

1. Higher Bandwidth: CAT 7 cables are designed to support higher bandwidths which are up to 600MHz. It makes them suitable for capturing and transmitting high-resolution video feeds from HD or even 4K CCTV cameras.
2. Improved Signal Quality: The shielding in CAT 7 cables significantly reduces electromagnetic interference and crosstalk. That’s it can transmit signals up to 100 meters without losing any signal quality.
3. Fast Transmission Speed: CAT 7 cables have a transmission speed of 10000 Mbps or 10 Gbps which allows users to stream real-time footage faster on CCTV.
4. Future-Proofing: As technology advances, CCTV systems may require higher bandwidth and increased data transfer rates. By using CAT 7 cables, you are investing in a future-proof infrastructure that can accommodate evolving needs, reducing the need for costly cable upgrades down the line.

Considerations and Drawbacks of CAT 7 for CCTV

While CAT 7 cables offer numerous benefits, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

1. Cost: CAT 7 cables are typically more expensive than CAT 5e or CAT 6 cables. That’s why this cable is rarely used by CCTVs users.
2. Installation Expertise: As CAT 5e or CAT 6 cables are mostly used for CCTV, installers may face problems installing CAT 7 cables as these cables need proper termination and grounding. You may have to seek professional help for installing CAT 7 cable to avoid issues with your CCTV.

Bonus Tip: Recommended Ethernet Cable for Security Camera

It’s true that the bandwidth of CAT 7 cables is better than CAT 6 cables, but the transmission speed of both cables is the same which is 10 GB/s. So, there is no need to go for the expensive option when you have a cheaper option near you with the same benefits. Again, most CCTV cameras don’t require more than 100 MB/s of bandwidth. So, we’d recommend you use CAT5e, and CAT6 instead of CAT6a or CAT7 for your CCTV. However, if you need to install CCTV too far from home, then you can use the CAT7 cable.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answer (FAQs)

What Is Cat 7 Cable Used For?

The CAT 7 cables are designed to provide high speed and bandwidth capabilities and that’s why it is mostly used for industrial Ethernet networks. Again, the CAT 7 cable is an ideal choice for robust outdoor applications such as railway cables due to its immunity from temperature extremes or UV/moisture exposure. However, it is becoming more popular among gamers in recent years.

Is Cat6 or Coax Better For CCTV?

Coax cable is much better than twisted pair cables such as CAT 6. Because Coax cables can handle external interference much better than CAT6 cables and it is the best option for analog CCTV cameras.

Can I Use CAT7 Cable for Security Cameras?

Yes, you can technically use CAT7 for security cameras. Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6A, and Cat 7 are mostly used cables in security cameras, PoE (Power over Ethernet) devices, and data networking.

Conclusion

CAT 5 and CAT 6 cables are mostly used in CCTV cameras and CAT7 is rarely used in CCTV due to being costly. But technically you can use CAT7 cables for CCTVs and can get better performance than other cables. We hope you’ve got the answer to your question after reading this article. If you still have any questions regarding this topic, feel free to ask in our comment section below. Thanks for reading.