Which category of cable has a maximum frequency rating of 600 MHz?

The category of cable that has a maximum frequency rating of 600 MHz is Cat 7. This category is designed for high-speed networking applications and is capable of supporting 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) over a distance of up to 100 meters. The increased frequency allows for better performance and higher data rates, making it suitable for environments that require robust data transmission capabilities, such as data centers or enterprise networks.

Cat 7 cables utilize shielding to reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic interference, contributing to their higher frequency rating compared to lower category cables. This design ensures that Cat 7 cables can maintain signal integrity even at high speeds, which is essential for modern networking needs that demand reliability and high performance.

In contrast, the other categories have lower maximum frequency ratings: Cat 5 and Cat 5e are typically rated for frequencies up to 100 MHz and 1000 MHz respectively, while Cat 6 reaches up to 250 MHz and Cat 6a extends this up to 500 MHz. Therefore, while those cables are suitable for various applications, they do not achieve the same performance levels as Cat 7, particularly in high-frequency environments.