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Cat6 Network Cable

Cat6 network cable is four-pair twisted cable for Ethernet links between network devices, outlets and patch panels. This page covers indoor LSZH and PVC cable on reels and in boxes, screened F/UTP and unscreened U/UTP types, riser-rated and outdoor polyethylene cable, and steel wire armoured cable for direct burial, from makers including Belden, Connectix and Securi-Flex.

Choosing Cat6 Network Cable

Choose by where the cable runs first, then by screening and fire rating.

U/UTP cable

The Belden 7965ENH.00A305 is Category 6 premise horizontal cable (250MHz) with 4 pairs of 23 AWG solid bare copper conductors, U/UTP, polyethylene insulation and an LSZH jacket, rated CPR Eca. The Belden 7965ELW.01305 carries a CPR Cca fire rating. The Connectix BTCCS906OUN08 is Cat6 UTP solid cable in a grey PVC outer sheath, supplied metre-marked, and every box is individually tested in the UK.

Screened F/UTP cable

The Belden 7860ENH.00305 is CAT6 F/UTP cable with a Beldfoil shield, a 26AWG solid tinned copper drain wire and an LSZH jacket, suitable for indoor use with a CPR ECA rating. The Connectix 001-004-004-15 is Cat 6 FTP Eca LSZH cable for high-speed LANs including Gigabit Ethernet.

Riser and plenum ratings

The Belden 2412 005A1000 and 2412 010A1000 are Category 6+ enhanced cables (350MHz) with a PVC jacket, rated Riser-CMR for vertical runs. The Belden 2413 003A1000 is Category 6 enhanced cable rated Plenum-CMP, with a Flamarrest PVC-LS jacket.

Outdoor cable

The Belden OSP6U 0101640 is gel-filled for moisture protection and UV resistant for outdoor use, with a polyethylene jacket. The Belden 7965PE.00A305 has an outdoor PE jacket, a CPR Euroclass Fca rating and an operating temperature from -30°C to 60°C.

Armoured cable

The Connectix 001-003-005-80 is steel wire armoured Cat6 FTP cable, external grade and suitable for direct burial. The Securi-Flex SFX/C6-F-UTP-SWA-LSZH-BLK-500 is screened F/UTP SWA cable with LSZH inner and outer jackets, which gives mechanical protection against the cable being pinched or pierced.

Bandwidth

The Securi-Flex SFX/C6-UTP-LSZH-D-GRN-305 has a maximum performance of 250MHz, more than twice the 100MHz of the Cat 5e specification, and is backwards compatible.

ModelConstructionBandwidthRating
Belden 7965ENH.00A305U/UTP, LSZH jacket250MHzCPR Eca
Belden 7860ENH.00305F/UTP, LSZH jacket250 MHzCPR ECA, indoor
Belden 2412 005A1000U/UTP, PVC jacket350MHzRiser-CMR
Belden 2413 003A1000U/UTP, Flamarrest PVC-LS jacket350MHzPlenum-CMP
Belden OSP6U 0101640U/UTP, gel-filled, polyethylene jacket350 MHzOSP rated
Belden 7965PE.00A305U/UTP, outdoor PE jacket250 MHzCPR Euroclass Fca

Related categories

See Cat6A network cable, Cat5e network cable, network patch cables and patch panels.

Brands we stock in Cat6 Network Cable

Belden, Connectix Cabling Systems, Dahua Technology, Hikvision, Securi-Flex and SFX Cables.

Frequently asked questions

What frequency does Cat6 cable support?

Cat6 is rated to 250MHz, more than twice the 100MHz of Cat5e, and some enhanced Category 6 cables are rated to 350MHz. The Belden 7965ENH.00A305 and 7860ENH.00305 are 250MHz cables, while the Belden 2412 005A1000 and OSP6U U7Y1001 are rated to 350MHz. The Securi-Flex SFX/C6-F-UTP-SWA-LSZH-BLK-500 supports 1000mbps or 250MHz over a maximum distance of 90 metres.

Should I choose screened F/UTP or unscreened U/UTP Cat6?

Choose screened F/UTP where interference is a risk. The Securi-Flex SFX/C6-F-UTP-SWA-LSZH-BLK-500 is screened for use where RF or power equipment may cause electromagnetic interference, which also provides security against eavesdropping. The Belden 7860ENH.00305 F/UTP design with a Beldfoil shield minimizes interference. The unscreened Securi-Flex SFX/C6-UTP-SWA-PE-BLK-1 is thinner and more flexible, and suits building LANs and telecoms applications.

What does a Riser-CMR rating mean on Cat6 cable?

Riser-CMR stands for Communications Multipurpose Cable, Riser. The Belden 2412 007A1000 carries this rating, the 2412 005A1000 is Riser-CMR rated for vertical runs, and the 2412 010A1000 is Riser-CMR rated for safe vertical installations. The Belden 2413 003A1000 and 2413 004A1000 are Plenum-CMP rated instead, with a Flamarrest PVC-LS jacket.

What is a CPR rated Cat6 cable?

It is Cat6 cable with a CPR Euroclass fire rating, for example Cca, Dca, Eca or Fca, shown in its specification. The Belden 7965ENH.00A305 is rated CPR Eca with an LSZH jacket, the 7965ELW.01305 has an LSZH jacket rated CPR Cca, and the 7965PE.00A305 outdoor cable is CPR Fca. The Connectix 001-003-004-92 carries an Eca fire rating, and the Securi-Flex SFX/C6-UTP-LSZH-D-GRN-305 is rated Dca.

Why choose metre marked Cat6 cable?

Metre marking prints the length along the sheath, so you can measure the cable installed and the amount left on the reel or in the box. Connectix cables such as the 001-003-004-90, 001-003-005-59 and the armoured 001-003-005-80 are supplied metre marked for easy installation. The Securi-Flex SFX/C6-UTP-LSZH-D-GRN-305 has reverse metre marking printed on the sheath of its 305m box.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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