Cat6a Plenum Cable

Tested and Certified Category 6A Reels

• Meets the TIA ANSI/TIA-568.2-D Category 6A requirements. This includes the PSANEXT and PSAACRF alien crosstalk limits.
• Bandwidth is tested up to 750 MHz. Links keep their margin even after bends and terminations.
• A Fluke DSX analyzer can certify installed channels to the Cat6A limit. Our Fluke-tested page explains what each test measures.
• UTP and F/UTP versions are part of our ETL-listed cables. These suit projects that ask for third-party verification.
• The materials are RoHS compliant. Restricted heavy metals and flame retardants stay out of the jacket.
• ISO 9001 quality controls keep jacket thickness and pair spacing uniform. Alien crosstalk performance depends on both.

True 10G Over 100 Meters

• Carries 10GBASE-T over a 90 m permanent link plus 10 m of patch cords.
• Cat6 loses 10G reach at about 55 m. With Cat6A, you don't have to measure every run.
• Supports 2.5G and 5G under IEEE 802.3bz for multi-gig access points too.

Plenum-Grade Fire Performance

• A Cat6a plenum-rated cable passes NFPA 262. Flame spread stays under 5 feet.
• Peak smoke density is capped at 0.50 and the average at 0.15. A light sensor in the tunnel exhaust duct measures it.
• The flame-retardant jacket gives off very little smoke.
• NEC Article 800 lets CMP cable replace riser and general-purpose cable anywhere indoors.

Built for High-Power PoE

• IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 sends 90 W from the switch. About 71.3 W reaches the device over all four pairs.
• Solid 23 AWG copper has low DC resistance. Large bundles run cooler because of it.

Temperature Ratings for Installation

• Typical ratings are 0°C to 60°C for installation. Operation is rated from about -20°C to 60°C.
• Let reels sit indoors for a few hours before a winter pull. Cold jackets get stiff and can crack.
• Keep runs away from hot ducts and light fixtures. Heat raises insertion loss.

Unshielded (U/UTP) Reels

Unshielded Cat6A is lighter and quicker to terminate. It is a good fit for offices, classrooms and retail floors with normal electrical noise. Our UTP solid bare copper plenum reel comes in eight colors. These are blue, white, black, gray, green, purple, red and yellow.

Foil-Shielded (F/UTP) Reels

A cat6a plenum shielded cable has aluminum foil wrapped around all four pairs. A drain wire handles grounding. The foil blocks EMI from motors, ballasts and elevator equipment. In large bundles it almost removes alien crosstalk. Use shielded jacks and patch panels with it. Then ground the shield at the rack. See our shielded F/UTP 1000 ft. reel.

1000 ft. Bulk Reels

A Cat6a plenum cable 1000ft reel is made for long horizontal runs across office floors and campuses. Most drops fall between 50 and 150 feet. That means one reel usually covers six to twenty runs.

Contractors who buy cat6a plenum bulk Ethernet cable for several floors often order by color. Each system gets its own jacket color from the start. Blue for data and yellow for cameras is a common pairing. It makes troubleshooting much faster later on.

ETL-Listed Options

ETL listing means Intertek has tested the cable for safety and performance. This paperwork helps during inspections. It also helps with bids that need third-party verification. We carry ETL-listed versions in both unshielded and F/UTP construction.

When to Step Up to Cat7

A Cat7 plenum cable uses S/FTP construction. Each pair has its own foil, and an overall braid covers them all. It is meant for areas with extreme electrical noise. Keep one thing in mind, though. TIA does not recognize Category 7. Standard RJ45 hardware also limits it to Cat6A-level performance.

Home Networks and Home Offices

Cat6A gives a home plenty of room to grow. It carries 10 Gigabit between rooms. That helps with:

• Large file transfers
• Online gaming
• 4K or 8K streaming

The plenum jacket also makes it safe near ducts and inside ceiling spaces.

Offices and Commercial Buildings

A modern office runs video calls and cloud apps all day. It also has many Wi-Fi access points working at once. Plenum-rated Cat6A carries that traffic through the ceiling. Every desk and access point gets full 10G speed.

New Construction

Network cable usually stays in the walls and ceilings for 15 years or more. Put Cat6A in during construction. The building will then be ready for faster switches later without any new cable.

Data Centers and Server Rooms

Servers, switches and storage link at 10 Gbps over the full 100-meter channel. Runs under raised floors and in ceiling air paths stay within fire code thanks to the plenum rating.

Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7, and PoE Devices

New access points need multi-gig uplinks. They also draw more PoE power than older models. Plenum Cat6A handles both. It works just as well for IP cameras and VoIP phones.

Warehouses and Industrial Spaces

Big buildings need long runs. They also need steady signals near machines. Shielded F/UTP Cat6A keeps data safe from motors and other electrical noise.

What is Cat6a Plenum cable used for?

It carries 10 Gigabit Ethernet through the air spaces of a building. Think of drop ceilings, raised floors, and HVAC return paths. Homes and offices use it. Data centers, schools, and warehouses do too. It connects computers, servers, Wi-Fi access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones.

Can Cat6a Plenum cable be installed in air-handling spaces?

Yes, that is the main reason it exists. The CMP-rated jacket passes the NFPA 262 flame and smoke test. Building codes allow it in spaces that carry air for this reason. Regular PVC cable and riser cable are not allowed there.

What speeds can Cat6a Plenum cable support?

It supports 10 Gbps up to 100 meters. Lower speeds like 1, 2.5, and 5 Gbps work as well. Our reels are bandwidth tested up to 750 MHz. That extra headroom keeps connections clean and steady.

Is Cat6a Plenum cable suitable for PoE devices?

It supports PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ (IEEE 802.3bt). PoE++ can deliver up to 90 W from the switch. The 23 AWG solid copper conductors keep power loss and heat low. Cameras, access points, and phones all run well on it.

What is the difference between shielded and unshielded Cat6a Plenum cable?

Unshielded (UTP) cable has no foil layer. It is lighter and more flexible. This cable also terminates faster. Most homes and offices are fine with it. Shielded (F/UTP) cable wraps the pairs in foil and adds a drain wire. This blocks electrical noise from motors, lighting, and heavy equipment. Remember that shielded cable needs shielded jacks and proper grounding.

What makes Cat6A different from Cat6?

Cat6A is tested to a much higher frequency. Our reels go up to 750 MHz. It also adds alien crosstalk limits. Because of this it carries 10 Gbps for the full 100 meters. Cat6 only reaches about 55 meters at that speed.

How do plenum and riser Cat6A compare?

Plenum carries the higher fire rating in the cat6a plenum vs. riser decision. It can go in air-handling spaces. It can also go anywhere riser cable is allowed. Riser cable is limited to vertical shafts and in-wall runs.

Does Cat6A fit standard pathways?

Cat6A is thicker than Cat6 at roughly 6.2 to 7.3 mm. Plan your conduit and tray fill around that size. Keep to the 4× OD bend radius during the pull.

What connectors should I use?

Use Cat6A-rated jacks and plugs made for 23 AWG solid conductors. Shielded cable needs shielded connectors. This keeps the foil grounded from end to end.

How many drops does one reel cover?

That depends on the length of each run. A 1,000 ft. reel gives about ten 100-foot drops. It can also give around twenty 50-foot drops. Leave extra for service loops and for slack in racks and wall boxes.