Category 6 Ethernet Cable
FS Cables hold an extensive range of high-quality Cat 6 Ethernet cables suitable for various networking applications. With a variety of colors, shielding and sheath options, our Cat 6 cables cater to diverse installation requirements. Whether it's for LAN setups, structured wiring, or HDBaseT installations, theses cables ensure fast and reliable data transmission with reduced crosstalk and superior data integrity.
Shop All Cat 6 CableWhat is Cat 6 cable?
Category 6 cable, more commonly referred to as Cat 6, is a type of Ethernet cable widely used in networking/data and LAN environments. Designed to support high-speed data transmission, Cat 6 cables offer superior performance and enhanced bandwidth capabilities compared to Cat 5E.
What is Cat 6 cable used for?
Cat 6 cables are versatile and can be utilised for various applications, such as Local Area Networks (LAN’s), patch leads in data centres, structured wiring, homes & offices, gaming, building automation and HDBaseT installations, making them an essential component in modern data communication systems. Whether for commercial or residential use, Cat 6 cables provide efficient and seamless connectivity, enabling fast and reliable data distribution across different devices and locations.
What are the different types of Cat 6 cable?
The different types of Cat 6 cable primarily vary in their construction and performance capabilities. Cat 6 can support data transmission up to 1Gbps over 100 metres, whereas Cat 6A (Augmented) can achieve data rates of up to 10Gbps. There are also different screening options to provide additional levels of protection from EMI (electromagnetic interference), minimising crosstalk. Various sheath options are provided to suit the requirements of the installation, such as PVC, LSHF, PE, Duct grade, SWA armoured and SHF1.
As part of the TruHD range, we provide a HDBaseT version, tested and approved by the HDBaseT Alliance, allowing for distribution of uncompressed full HD video, audio, 100BaseT Ethernet, power, and control across a single cable.
Our Cat 6 cable range
What’s the difference between Cat 5E, Cat 6, Cat 6A, Cat 7 & Cat 7A cable?
When it comes to networking cables, several categories are available, each offering different capabilities and performance levels. Cat 5E, Cat 6, Cat 6A, Cat 7, and Cat 7A are some of the most common Ethernet cable types. Cat 5E is an enhanced version of the original Cat 5 cable, capable of supporting data speeds up to 1 Gbps and is suitable for most home and small business networks. Cat 6 improves upon Cat 5E, providing higher data rates of up to 10 Gbps and better resistance to crosstalk and interference. Cat 6A further enhances these features and supports data rates of up to 10 Gbps over longer distances. Cat 7 is designed to handle data rates of up to 10 Gbps with significantly reduced crosstalk, thanks to its shielded twisted pair construction. Cat 7A offers even higher data rates of up to 10 Gbps over longer cable runs and improved shielding for enhanced performance in high-interference environments.
| Category | Max Data Rate | Bandwidth Frequency | Shielding | Crosstalk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat 5E | 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) | Up to 250 MHz | U/UTP + F/UTP | Moderate |
| Cat 6 | 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps) | Up to 500 MHz | U/UTP + F/UTP | Low |
| Cat 6A | 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps) | Up to 500 MHz | U/FTP + F/FTP + S/FTP | Very Low |
| Cat 7 | 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps) | Up to 600 MHz | S/FTP | Very Low |
| Cat 7A | 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps) | Up to 1000 MHz | S/FTP | Extremely Low |
What are the different screening types?
Category cables incorporate various screening types to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) to ensure optimal performance. The primary screening types include Unscreened Twisted Pair (UTP) cables, the most prevalent and cost-effective option, featuring twisted pairs of copper wires without additional shielding; Overall Foil Screened (F/UTP) cables, incorporating an overall foil shield around the twisted pairs; Individually Screened Pairs (U/FTP) cables where the individual pairs are shielded; and (F/FTP & S/FTP) cables, combining the advantages of the previous types with both individual and overall shielding for superior protection against external interference. Each screening type offers varying levels of protection, catering to diverse networking requirements.
As you can see from the table below, the industry terminology can be a bit misleading so it is best to use the ISO/IEC 11801 standard reference and check with your supplier they understand what you need.
The letter before the slash covers the shielding type for the cable, while the code after the slash determines the shielding for the individual pairs:
U = Unshielded
F = Foil shielding
S = Braid shield (outer layer only)
TP = Twisted pair
TQ = Twisted pair, individual shielding in quads
U/UTP
U/UTP This cable is not shielded at all
U/FTP
U/FTP No overall shielding or braid (U) with foil screened twisted pairs (FTP)
F/UTP
F/UTP An overall foil shield (F) with unscreened twisted pairs (UTP)
S/UTP
S/UTP An overall braid screen (S) with unscreened twisted pairs (UTP)
SF/UTP
SF/UTP Both an overall braid screen (S) and foil shield (F) with unscreened twisted pairs (UTP)
F/FTP
F/FTP An overall foil shield (F) with foil screened twisted pairs (FTP)
S/FTP
S/FTP An overall braid screen (S) with foil screened twisted pairs (FTP)
SF/FTP
SF/FTP An overall braid screen (S) and an overall foil shield(F) with foil screened twisted pairs (FTP)
| Industry acronyms* | ISO/IEC 11801 name | Overall shielding | Pair shielding |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTP | U/UTP | None | None |
| STP, ScTP, PiMF | U/FTP | None | Foil |
| FTP, STP, ScTP | F/UTP | Foil | None |
| STP, ScTP | S/UTP | Braid | None |
| SFTP, S-FTP, STP | SF/UTP | Braid & Foil | None |
| FFTP | F/FTP | Foil | Foil |
| SSTP, SFTP, STP PiMF | S/FTP | Braid | Foil |
| SSTP, SFTP | SF/FTP | Braid & Foil | Foil |
Cat 6 Tools & Connectors
Various tools and connectors are available to ensure optimal performance when working with Cat 6 cables. The EZ-RJPRO HD Crimp Tool can be used for effortlessly crimping and terminating connectors, particularly RJ45 connectors, onto Cat 6 cables, ensuring reliable and high-performance network connections. The various EZ-RJ45 Cat 6 connectors are designed to simplify and enhance the termination process, offering a very user-friendly solution that ensures accurate wire positioning, reduced rework, and optimal signal integrity in networking and data applications.
How to Terminate Cat 5E & Cat 6 Cable
Patch Leads
Patch leads are critical to the operation of data networks that require high-speed data transmission and bandwidths. The TruAccessories range of Cat 6 U/UTP LSHF & Cat 6A S/FTP LSHF patch leads are offered in 13 lengths from 0.3 metres to 20 metres, in 10 different colours for easy identification. Used for various Ethernet/network applications, all the patch leads in this range are Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF) making them suitable for installations in public buildings, data centres, gaming, computer or server rooms and generally where fire safety is important.
