NEXUS CAT8 SFTP RJ45 Tool-less Connector 4-Pack

Built for the demands of CAT8 Class II infrastructure, the Nexus CAT8 Shielded RJ45 Connector delivers the full 40 Gbps / 2000 MHz performance your cable is rated for — without compromise at the termination point. The tool-less field termination design means no crimping tool required: insert, seat, and click — done in under a minute on-site. A full die-cast metal housing, gold-plated contacts, and a secure locking mechanism ensure the connector is never the weak link in your network.

Designed specifically for 22 AWG and 23 AWG solid copper conductors — the heavy-gauge wire used in professional-grade CAT8 bulk cable including the Nexus 100m roll — this connector maintains the shielding continuity and impedance matching that CAT8's 2000 MHz bandwidth demands. Comes with a protective dust cap to keep contacts clean before installation.

Technical specifications

Why this connector is built for 22–23 AWG — and why that matters

Most RJ45 connectors on the market are designed around thinner 24–26 AWG conductors. At CAT8 frequencies — where the cable is carrying 2000 MHz of bandwidth — conductor gauge directly affects signal integrity. Thinner wire means higher resistance, more crosstalk between pairs, and greater signal degradation, all of which are amplified at 2000 MHz.

The Nexus CAT8 connector is engineered with wider conductor channels and tighter IDC contact pressure matched to 22 AWG and 23 AWG solid copper — the gauge used in premium CAT8 bulk cable. This means:

• A gas-tight contact seal that eliminates micro-arcing and oxidation at the termination point
• Correct impedance matching (100Ω) maintained all the way through the connector
• No conductor deformation or splitting when inserting heavier-gauge wire
• Full 40 Gbps throughput rather than falling back to a lower speed tier

If you are running the Nexus CAT8 22AWG 100m roll, this is the connector that completes the end-to-end system — everything else is a mismatch.

Full metal shielded body — not plastic with a foil wrap

The connector housing is die-cast metal throughout — not a plastic body with a thin foil shield glued on. This matters for two reasons:

Key features

• Tool-less field termination — no crimping tool needed; insert conductors, close the cap, done
• 40 Gbps / 2000 MHz — full CAT8 Class II rated performance
• 22–23 AWG matched design — built for heavy-gauge solid copper CAT8 cable, not generic thin-wire connectors
• Die-cast full metal housing — 360° EMI/RFI shielding with no gaps or foil compromises
• 50µ gold-plated contacts — corrosion-resistant, gas-tight termination for long-term signal reliability
• Dust cap included — protects gold contacts from contamination before and during installation
• Secure locking tab — positive click retention prevents accidental disconnection in patch panels and switches
• T568A / T568B compatible — supports both wiring standards
• Backwards compatible — works with CAT5e through CAT8 infrastructure
• Pairs with Nexus CAT8 22AWG 100m roll — designed as a matched end-to-end system

Ideal for

• Data centre and server room structured cabling at 25GBase-T / 40GBase-T speeds
• Field termination of CAT8 bulk cable runs — office, commercial, and industrial installs
• High-density patch panel builds requiring a reliable shielded connector
• Network upgrades where the full 40 Gbps headroom needs to be preserved end to end
• Gaming and AV-over-IP setups demanding maximum bandwidth with zero interference
• Any install using heavy-gauge 22–23 AWG CAT8 cable that standard connectors can't seat correctly

Frequently asked questions

Why does AWG matter so much for a CAT8 connector?

At 2000 MHz, even small mismatches in the termination create signal reflections and crosstalk that can drop your link from 40 Gbps to 10 Gbps or lower. A connector designed for 24–26 AWG wire won't grip 22 AWG conductors with enough contact pressure — leaving a loose, high-resistance joint that fails under the electrical demands of CAT8. This connector is built around 22–23 AWG geometry from the ground up.

Is this a tool-less connector? Do I need a crimping tool?

No crimping tool required. This is a tool-less field-termination connector — it uses a built-in IDC mechanism that seats and locks each conductor when you close the housing. Strip the outer jacket, fan the pairs into the colour-coded guide, insert, and click shut. That's it. No crimper, no punch-down tool, no specialist equipment needed on-site.

Is this a field-termination connector or a factory-crimped connector?

This is a tool-less field-termination connector — designed to be terminated on-site onto bulk CAT8 cable without any tools. It is ideal for custom-length runs, in-wall or in-conduit installations, and any situation where pre-made patch cords are the wrong length or impractical to route.

Will it work with my existing CAT6A switches and routers?

Yes. CAT8 is fully backwards compatible — the connector will work in any standard RJ45 port. The link will operate at the highest speed both ends support. Your infrastructure is future-proofed when you upgrade to 25G or 40G switches.

What cable should I pair this connector with?

This connector is specifically designed to match the Nexus CAT8 22AWG S/FTP 100m bulk cable roll — both are engineered to the same CAT8 Class II specification. Using them together gives you a verified end-to-end system. It will also work with any third-party 22–23 AWG CAT8 S/FTP bulk cable.

NEXUS CAT8 Shielded RJ45 Field Connector. CAT8 Class II — 40 Gbps / 2000 MHz. Compatible with 22–23 AWG solid copper CAT8 S/FTP bulk cable. Dust cap included. T568A/T568B wiring standard.