Introduction: Cat5e LSZH Bulk Cable in Red (305 m Reel)
The Cat5e U/UTP LSZH Bulk Cable SFX/C5-UTP-LSZH-D-RED-305 is a practical, site‑friendly solution for structured cabling projects that require reliable Category 5e performance and safety-conscious materials. Supplied on a 305 m reel with a red (RAL 3000) Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) jacket, this cable combines solid bare copper conductors, HDPE pair insulation, and an installer-friendly rip‑cord for quick termination on site. It is designed for horizontal and vertical runs, PoE feeding, and installations where reduced smoke and halogen emissions are important — for example, public buildings, transport hubs and confined or populated spaces.
Key features at a glance
- Category 5e U/UTP performance— 4 twisted pairs suitable for Ethernet up to 1 Gbps and PoE applications.
- 305 m bulk reel— long continuous length for on‑site termination and flexible cable management.
- LSZH outer jacket— Low Smoke Zero Halogen material for safer evacuation conditions and reduced toxic gas release in fires.
- Solid bare‑copper conductors— 0.47 ± 0.01 mm diameter for stable electrical characteristics across long runs.
- HDPE insulation and pair colouring— consistent pair insulation (Blue, Orange, Green, Brown) to simplify identification and termination.
- Installer‑friendly design— nylon rip‑cord for quick jacket removal and consistent overall jacket diameter for predictable cable routing (4.80 ± 0.03 mm).
Detailed specifications and benefits
Understanding the technical specifications helps explain why this Cat5e LSZH cable is a solid choice for many installations. Below are the key spec highlights and the practical benefits they provide.
- Conductor material:Solid bare copper — provides lower DC resistance and better long‑term stability compared with tinned or copper‑clad alternatives. Solid conductors are ideal for permanent on‑site terminations into patch panels and wall outlets.
- Conductor diameter:0.47 ± 0.01 mm — ensures consistent impedance and predictable attenuation characteristics over the 305 m reel length.
- Max conductor DC resistance:< 115 Ω/km @ 20 °C — helps maintain signal integrity across longer runs.
- Insulation material:HDPE — low dielectric loss and stable electrical insulation improves pair performance and reduces signal degradation.
- Pair colours:Blue/White‑Blue, Orange/White‑Orange, Green/White‑Green, Brown/White‑Brown — standard colour coding for fast termination and testing.
- Insulation thickness:0.18 mm — optimised for Category 5e performance.
- Overall jacket diameter:4.80 ± 0.03 mm — compact enough for high‑density cable trays while allowing easy handling.
- Jacket material and rating:LSZH — reduces smoke and toxic fumes in the event of combustion; CPR Euroclass Dca‑s2‑a1‑d2 printed on datasheet for compliance tracking.
- Rip‑cord:White nylon 210D — accelerates installation by simplifying jacket removal without damaging pairs beneath.
- Operating temperature:-40 °C to +70 °C — suitable for a wide range of indoor and moderate outdoor protected conduit applications.
- CPR (Euroclass):Dca‑s2‑a1‑d2 — confirms a mid‑level fire performance under CPR; always check product labelling for CE/UKCA and local regulations before installation.
Use cases and scenarios where this cable excels
The SFX/C5‑UTP‑LSZH‑D‑RED‑305 is positioned for projects that need the balance of cost, performance and safety that Cat5e LSZH bulk cable offers. Typical scenarios include:
- Structured cabling for offices and commercial buildings:Use the 305 m reel for horizontal runs to multiple workstations where on‑site termination saves time and reduces waste from pre‑terminated lengths.
- PoE device deployments:Power over Ethernet cameras, access points and VoIP phones — Cat5e supports common PoE budgets and provides reliable conductor sizes for power delivery on long runs.
- Public and high‑occupancy spaces:Transport hubs, hospitals, schools and other locations benefit from the LSZH jacket, which lowers smoke and toxic emissions in worst‑case fire scenarios.
- Colour‑coded infrastructure:The red RAL 3000 jacket allows quick visual identification of specific services (for example, fire alarms, security, or emergency systems) when combined with other colour‑coded cables in a trunking system.
- Riser and vertical installations:Suitable for many riser applications if local fire and building regulations accept the cable’s CPR rating; always verify with building authorities.
How it compares with similar products
When choosing network cabling, it helps to know how this Cat5e LSZH product stacks up against other options.
- Cat6 offers higher headroom for crosstalk and can support higher frequencies and future‑proofing toward 10GbE at short distances. However, for most 1 Gbps Ethernet and PoE deployments, Cat5e provides excellent value and lower material cost.
- If your project demands 10GbE over longer distances or you require better alien crosstalk performance, consider Cat6 or Cat6A; otherwise Cat5e remains a cost‑effective choice.
- LSZH reduces smoke and halogen emissions in fires, making it preferable for enclosed public spaces and critical environments. PVC jackets are typically cheaper but emit more toxic gases and smoke if burned. Choose LSZH where occupant safety and regulatory requirements demand it.
- Solid conductors (as provided by this reel) are best for permanent fixed‑line installations and terminations into jacks and patch panels. Stranded cables are more flexible and suited for patch leads and frequent movement. Ensure you use solid cable for permanent runs and stranded for patch cords.
- This product is unshielded (U/UTP), which is generally sufficient for typical office and commercial environments. In electrically noisy environments or where EMI is a concern, shielded variants can provide improved immunity but require proper grounding practices.
Customer feedback and installer perspectives
While product reviews vary by project, installers and AV/network contractors commonly highlight these practical observations about 305 m Cat5e LSZH reels like the SFX/C5‑UTP‑LSZH‑D‑RED‑305:
- "The red jacket makes circuit identification much faster on multi‑service jobs, reducing testing time after termination."
- "Rip‑cord and consistent jacket diameter speed up installation — less fiddling with cable prep and fewer damaged pairs during stripping."
- "Solid conductors terminated well into patch panels and faceplates; good value for standard gigabit deployments where Cat6 wasn’t required."
Note: These are representative installer comments and not endorsements from named individuals. For formal references, check reseller or project case studies where the product has been deployed.
Installation tips and compliance reminders
- Always confirm conductor type before ordering if you plan to use the cable for patch leads — this product uses solid conductors intended for permanent termination.
- Follow manufacturer guidance for minimum bend radius and pull tension to avoid damaging the internal pairs or changing electrical characteristics.
- Check local wiring regulations (for example BS 7671 in the UK) and verify CPR/CE/UKCA markings on the product label and datasheet before installation.
- Test each run after termination with appropriate cable certifiers or testers to validate continuity, pair integrity, and performance to Category 5e specifications.
Conclusion: Why choose the SFX/C5‑UTP‑LSZH‑D‑RED‑305?
The Cat5e U/UTP LSZH 305 m reel in red delivers a strong combination of performance, safety and installer convenience. It’s a cost‑effective choice for gigabit Ethernet and PoE applications where LSZH jacket properties are required or preferred. With solid bare‑copper conductors, HDPE insulation, a manageable overall diameter and a practical rip‑cord, this reel supports efficient on‑site termination and reliable long‑term operation. Whether you are wiring offices, schools, transport facilities or security systems, the red LSZH reel offers clear identification, regulatory advantages and the fundamental Category 5e performance most networks rely on today.
Product quick reference:SFX/C5‑UTP‑LSZH‑D‑RED‑305 — 305 m, Cat5e U/UTP, solid bare copper, HDPE insulation, LSZH red jacket (RAL 3000), CPR Dca‑s2‑a1‑d2.
