Cat6

The Category 6 Ethernet cabling standard is also known as Cat6e. It is a twisted pair Ethernet technology. The Cat6 cable is fully backwards compatible with the lower category standards of Category 5, 5e and 3. A Category 6 cable is designed for improved performance over Category 5 and adheres to more stringent specifications in the areas of crosstalk and system noise than its predecessors. The Cat6 standard delivers the maximum performance of 250 MHz, compared to the Category 5 and 5e specifications of 100 MHz. Cat6 cables provide infrastructure for the following networks: 10BASE-T (Ethernet), 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet).

Cat6 Cabling System

To set up a complete Cat6 cabling system, users will need to order Cat6 modules and other compatible components. It is recommended that Cat6 wiring be used in conjunction with Cat6-rated patch cables, jacks, and connectors. This will help to ensure a Category 6 cable system performance without degradation. The maximum run length for Cat6 cabling is 100 metres when used for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet. For 10-Gigabit Ethernet applications, the maximum length drops to 55 metres.

Cat6 UTP Augmentation

Alien noise may occur at high frequencies with Cat6 UTP. An Augmented Cat6 (Cat6a) cable was introduced with a design to reduce the noise associated with unshielded twisted pair wiring in the Category 6 standard. The Cat6a cable can also deliver twice the speed of a Cat6 system, offering up to 500 MHz in bandwidth. What is a cat6a cable? 

Contact Comm Express for more Cat6 product information.

Related Links

Cat6 Patch Panels
Cat6 Cable
CE Cat6 Modules
Cat6 RJ45 Ethernet Cable/Patch Leads & Cables