UTP CAT 6 NETWORK CABLE
Category 6 cable (Cat 6): is a standardized twisted pair cable for Ethernet and
other network physical layers that is backward compatible with the Category
5/5e and Category 3 cable standards.
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Cat
6 has to meet more stringent specifications for crosstalk and system noise than
Cat 5 and Cat 5e. The cable standard specifies performance of up to 250 MHz,
compared to 100 MHz for Cat 5 and Cat 5e.
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Whereas
Category 6 cable has a reduced maximum length of 55 meters when used for
10GBASE-T, Category 6A cable is characterized to 500 MHz and has improved alien
crosstalk characteristics, allowing 10GBASE-T to be run for the same 100 meter
maximum distance as previous Ethernet variants.
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Description:
Cat
6 cables can be identified by the printing on the side of the cable sheath.
Cable types, connector types and cabling topologies are defined by TIA/EIA-568.
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Cat
6 patch cables are normally terminated in 8P8C modular connectors, using either
T568A or T568B pin assignments; performance is comparable provided both ends of
a cable are terminated identically.
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If
Cat 6-rated patch cables, jacks and connectors are not used with Cat 6 wiring;
overall performance is degraded and may not meet Cat 6 performance
specifications.
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Maximum length
When
used for 10/100/1000BASE-T, the maximum allowed length of a Cat 6 cable is 100
meters (328 ft). This consists of 90 meters (295 ft) of solid
“horizontal” cabling between the patch panel and the wall jack, plus
5 meters (16 ft) of stranded patch cable between each jack and the attached
device.[9] For 10GBASE-T, an unshielded Cat 6 cable should not exceed 55 meters
and a Cat 6A cable should not exceed 100 meters.
Installation requirements
Category
6 and 6A cable must be properly installed and terminated to meet
specifications. The cable must not be kinked or bent too tightly; the bend
radius should be larger than four times the outer diameter of the cable.[11]
The wire pairs must not be untwisted and the outer jacket must not be stripped
back more than 13 mm (0.51 in).
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Cable
shielding may be required in order to avoid data corruption in high
electromagnetic interference (EMI) environments. Shielding is typically
maintained from one cable end to the other using a drain wire that runs through
the cable alongside the twisted pairs. The shield’s electrical connection to
the chassis on each end is made through the jacks. The requirement for ground
connections at both cable ends creates the possibility of creating a ground
loop. This undesirable situation may compel currents to flow in the network
cable shield and these currents may in turn induce detrimental noise in the
signal being carried by the cable.