Cat6 Cable is a premium ethernet cable that supports high-speed applications in your network. The cables come in 3 different variants for usage in different environments. In this article, you will learn about data transfer rates, jacket types, conductor types, certifications, and standards of Cat6 1000ft ethernet cables.
Cat6 Cable: Data Transfer Rates & Bandwidth
Bulk Cat6a Cables support maximum data transfer rates of 10 Gbps over a length of 50 meters or 164 feet and minimum data transfer rates of 1 Gbps up to a distance of 100 meters or 328 feet. Although TIA/EIA standards for these ethernet cables fix bandwidth capacity at 350 MHz, New York Cables manufactures Bulk Cat6 Cables with an augmented or enhanced bandwidth capacity of 550 MHz. This bandwidth capacity is almost double the industry standards.
3 Jacket Ratings for Cat6 Cable
The 3 different ratings for Cat6 Cable are:
- Plenum
- Riser
- PVC
Let’s discuss each.
Cat6 Cable Plenum
The Cat6 1000ft comes with a CMP-rating outer jacket. It is the highest rating for ethernet jackets and comes equipped with excellent crosstalk and EMI properties. The jacket also is UV and sunlight resistant and has been specifically designed for installation in the plenum areas of the buildings. The CMP-rated jacket stops fire progression and emits no toxicity (such as smoke or gases when burning). Due to its excellent features, you can also use plenum cables in riser and outdoor spaces.
Cat6 Cable Riser
The Cat6 1000ft riser is a riser-rated or CMR-rated ethernet cable. A CMR-rated jacket also enjoys excellent crosstalk and EMI properties. This cable is specifically designed for installation in the riser spaces of the buildings. When contacted fire, this cable emits very low smoke and no dangerous particles while halting fire progression at the same time. You can also use this cable for outdoor installations.
Cat6 PVC
A Cat6 PVC cable comes with a PVC rating jacket. It is UV resistant, sunlight resistant, and chemical resistant and has been specifically designed for installation in harsh outdoor environments. PVC cables, too, have excellent crosstalk and EMI features.
Cat6 Cables: Pure Copper vs CCA Conductors
When it comes to ethernet cables, they come in 2 types of conductors: Pure copper and Copper-Clad Aluminum. Pure copper conductors have excellent attenuation features. It means the pure copper conductors prevent loss of signal strength and keeps your connectivity experience uncompromised. Furthermore, pure copper conductors also have far less DC resistance. Thus, pure copper conductors transfer more energy into signals than heat. Due to the aforesaid properties, Cat6 1000ft pure copper cables are much more expensive than CCA cables. Ethernet cables usually have 8 conductors that are tightly bundled together in 4 twisted pairs to prevent crosstalk and cancel EMI.
Cat6 Cables: UL & ETL Certifications
Cat6 cable comes with 2 different types of certifications: UL and ETL. These two certifications mainly deal with safety standards. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories and their standards for the safety measurements are the most stringent in the USA. Unlike UL, ETL does not make its own standards, it rather follows those set by UL. Ethernet cables carrying these certifications have been tested against all safety standards.
Shielded vs Unshielded Cat6 Ethernet Cables
Cat6 cables that have an extra layer of protection against crosstalk and EMI and shielded ethernet cables (STP). These cables have an extra layer or layers of protection in the form of foil sheets or sheets wrapped around all or individual twisted pairs. Those cables that do not have an extra layer of protection are called unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables. Compared to STP cables, UTP cables are much cheaper. STP ethernet cables find their usage in harsh environments where crosstalk and EMI are of bigger concern. On the other hand, UTP ethernet cables find their usage in environments where EMI and crosstalk are of no concern.
Cat6 Ethernet Cable Applications
A Cat6 ethernet cable supports the following applications: ANSI X3T9.5 TP-PMD (FDDI), ATM PMD 155 Mbps IEEE 802.3 Fast Ethernet :10 Base-T, 100 Base-T4, 100 Base-X IEEE 802.5 :4/16 Mbps Token Ring, IEEE 802.12 :100 Base-VG.
Cat6 Ethernet Cable Standards
Here at New York Cables, we manufacture ethernet cables that exceed all industry standards by a wide margin. Why? Because we want to provide our valuable customers with an unmatched and top-notch connectivity experience. Our cables meet FCC, CE, CSE, ISO/IES, TIA/EIA standards and are in compliance with RoHS. For instance, the bandwidth capacity for Cat6 cables as laid out by TIA/EIA stands at 350 MHz but we manufacture ethernet cables that come with an extended bandwidth capacity of 550 MHz. The same goes for our other ethernet cables and products. You can buy high-quality Cat6 ethernet cables from New York Cables. Our Ethernet cables come with a 10-year warranty (T&C applied) and we offer free shipping on orders above $299.99.
