Cat 6, 6a, 7 (solid) structured wiring cable (also known as Category 6, Category 6a and Category 7) is designed for data transmission in computer networks.
Cat 6 is suitable 10BASE-T/TX & 1000BASE-T/TX. Cat 6a is defined at frequencies up to 500 MHz, twice that of Cat 6. Cat 7 is rated for frequencies of up to 600 MHz as standard, 1000 Mhz versions are available.
The Cat 6, 6a, 7 range includes cables suitable for use in a variety of environments & applications. Versions with stranded conductors (called patch cables) are also available on request.
| Construction – Cat 6, 6a, 7 |
|---|
| solid 24AWG or 23AWG plain copper conductors |
| polyethylene (PE) core insulation |
| cores twisted into pairs |
| optional screening |
| optional steel wire armour (SWA) |
| outer sheath material & colour varies |
| Technical – Cat 6, 6a, 7 | |
|---|---|
| conductor make-up: | 1x solid strand between 0.51mm & 0.58mm diameter |
| screening options: | UTP (or U/UTP) = unscreened twisted pairs |
| FTP (or F/UTP) = overall foil (aluminium/polyester) screen | |
| F/FTP = individual foil screens plus overall foil screen | |
| S/FTP = individual foil screens plus overall tinned copper wire braid | |
| sheath options: | PVC (polyvinylchloride) for standard use |
| LSZH (low smoke zero halogen) for increased fire safety | |
| PE (polyethylene) for external or ducted applications | |
| optional SWA: | for direct burial or harsh conditions, PE, PVC or LSZH sheath |
| (armouring can reduce performance, please check if critical) | |
| bend radius: | dependent on type, please check if critical |
| temperature range: | dependent on type, please check if critical |
| core identification: | coloured white & blue, white & orange, white & green, |
| white & brown (colours may be solid or striped) | |
A printable PDF specification is available here: Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat 7 (solid) structured wiring cable.
For lower frequency versions (Cat 5e) return to the Data, Signal, Structured Wiring front page.
Note: low smoke zero halogen / halogen free (LSZH, LSOH, LSHF, OHLS) should not be confused with LSF (low smoke and fume), an in-depth explanation is shown on our LSZH Control Flex front page.
