{{Short description|Standardized data communications cable}} {{Use British English|date=November 2024}} {{Twisted pair categories}}
[[File:EthernetCableGreen.jpg|thumb|A Cat 6 patch cable, terminated with 8P8C modular connectors]]
'''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.
Cat 6 must 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.<ref name="PaulKish">{{cite web|last=Kish|first=Paul|title=Category 6 Cabling Questions and Answers|url=http://www.belden.com/docs/upload/what_is_category_6_q-a.pdf|publisher=NORDX/CDT, Inc.|access-date=21 October 2013|date=July 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183329/http://www.belden.com/docs/upload/what_is_category_6_q-a.pdf|archive-date=2015-09-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Whereas Category 6 cable has a reduced maximum length of {{convert|55|m|ft}} when used for 10GBASE-T, '''Category 6A cable''' is specified for 500 MHz and has improved alien crosstalk characteristics, allowing 10GBASE-T to be run for the same {{convert|100|m|ft|adj=on}} maximum distance as previous Ethernet over twisted pair variants.
==History== Cat 6, an unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) design, emerged as an advancement of the UTP Cat 5e and was formalised in 2001. The design of Cat 6 required more stringent precision in manufacturing, which enabled reduced noise and crosstalk, thereby improving performance. The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) published Cat 6 in June 2002.<ref name="PaulKish"/>
==Description== <div style="float:right; clear:right;"> {{T568A Wiring|float=right}} {{T568B Wiring|float=right}} </div>
Cat 6 cable can be identified by the printing on the side of the cable sheath.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Castor |first=Kevin |date=July 10, 2008 |title=Ethernet Cable Identification and Use |url=http://donutey.com/ethernet.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710144347/http://donutey.com/ethernet.php |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |website=donutey.com}}</ref> Cable types, connector types and cabling topologies are defined by ANSI/TIA-568.
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.
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B.2-1 |url=http://www.cat6.com/overview/standards.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928011018/http://www.cat6.com/overview/standards.aspx |archive-date=2013-09-28 |website=www.cat6.com}}</ref>
The Cat 6 specification requires conductors to be pure copper. The industry has seen a rise in non-compliant or counterfeit cables, especially of the copper-clad aluminium wire (CCA) variety.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flukenetworks.com/content/application-note-copper-clad-aluminum-cables |title=APPLICATION NOTE Copper Clad Aluminum(CCA) Cables |date=26 December 2013 |publisher=Fluke Networks |access-date=2021-04-07}}</ref> This has exposed the manufacturers or installers of such fake cable to legal liabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cccassoc.org/2012/10/26/potential-legal-liabilities-for-manufacturers-and-installers-of-category-communications-cables-made-with-copper-clad-aluminum-conductors/ |title=Potential Legal Liabilities for Manufacturers and Installers of Category Communications Cables Made with Copper Clad Aluminum Conductors |publisher= Communications Cable and Connectivity Association, Inc. (CCCA) |access-date=2021-04-07}}</ref> The diameter of the wires in Cat 6 cables ranges from 22 to 26 AWG.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Adiche |first=Hakim |url={{google books|plainurl=yes|id=b8SZCgAAQBAJ|text=category 3 cable frequency|pg=PA15}} |title=Ethernet LAN Cables: For Computer Networks Professionals |date=12 September 2015 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-329-18803-7}}</ref>
{{anchor|Category.C2.A06A}}
==Category 6A== The standard for Category 6A (augmented Category 6) is ANSI/TIA-568.2-D (replaces 568-C.2),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cat6A Interactive Reference Guide |url=https://www.anixter.com/content/dam/Suppliers/Leviton/Brochures/Leviton%20-Cat6A%20Reference%20Guide.%20051518pdf.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031232820/https://www.anixter.com/content/dam/Suppliers/Leviton/Brochures/Leviton%20-Cat6A%20Reference%20Guide.%20051518pdf.pdf |archive-date=2019-10-31 |publisher=Leviton Network Solutions}}</ref> defined by TIA for enhanced performance standards for twisted pair cable systems. It was defined in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flukenetworks.com/blog/cabling-chronicles/ethernet-cable-history |title= Ethernet Cable Categories Explained|publisher=Fluke Networks |date= 24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405215432/https://www.flukenetworks.com/blog/cabling-chronicles/ethernet-cable-history |archive-date=2024-04-05 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cat 6A performance is defined for frequencies up to 500 MHz—twice that of Cat 6. Cat 6A also has an improved alien crosstalk specification as compared to Cat 6, which picks up high levels of alien noise at high frequencies.
The global cabling standard ISO/IEC 11801 has been extended by the addition of amendment 2. This amendment defines new specifications for Cat 6A components and Class E<sub>A</sub> permanent links. These new global Cat 6A/Class E<sub>A</sub> specifications require a new generation of connecting hardware offering far superior performance compared to the existing products that are based on the American TIA standard.<ref name="NewCat6A">{{cite web| work=Next generation Cat. 6A| publisher=Tyco Electronics | title=A new Category 6A specification has arrived| url=http://www.category6a.eu/web/Microsites/ISO_Cat6a/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225153927/http://www.category6a.eu/web/Microsites/ISO_Cat6a/ |archive-date=2014-02-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The most important point is a performance difference between ISO/IEC and EIA/TIA component specifications for the NEXT transmission parameter. At a frequency of 500 MHz, an ISO/IEC Cat 6A connector performs 3 dB better than a Cat 6A connector that conforms with the EIA/TIA specification (3 dB equals 50% reduction of near-end crosstalk noise signal power; see half-power point).<ref name="NewCat6A" />
Confusion therefore arises because of the naming conventions and performance benchmarks laid down by the International ISO/IEC and American TIA/EIA standards, which in turn are different from the regional European standard, EN 50173–1. In general, the ISO standard for Cat 6A is the most stringent, followed by the European standard, and the American one (1 on 1 matching capability)<!--what does this parenthetical mean?-->.<ref>{{cite web| work=Next generation Cat. 6A| publisher=Tyco Electronics| title=Cat. 6A ≠ Cat. 6 A ≠ Class E<sub>A</sub>| url=http://www.category6a.eu/web/Microsites/ISO_Cat6a/6a_Facts/ClassEa_vs_Cat6a/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203054844/http://www.category6a.eu/web/Microsites/ISO_Cat6a/6a_Facts/ClassEa_vs_Cat6a/|archive-date=2013-12-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Cabling: The Complete Guide to Network Wiring, 3rd Edition|first1=David|last1=Barnett|first2=David|last2=Goth|first3=Jim|last3=McBee|date=20 August 2004|isbn=978-0782143317|publisher=Sybex}}{{page needed|date=January 2016}}</ref>{{failed verification|reason=No mention of EN 50173-1 in this ref|date=April 2019}}
==Category 6e== ''Cat 6e'' is not a recognized standard and has no agreed meaning. After the ratification of Category 6, manufacturers began offering cabling systems and solutions labeled as ''{{visible anchor|Category 6e}}''. This is a marketing claim from manufacturers and typically refers to a claim of headroom performance above the defined TIA Category 6 standard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 October 2020 |title=Cat6e System Solution |url=https://www.ncompass-systems.com/solutions/cat6e-plus-utp-data-sheet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926080622/https://www.ncompass-systems.com/solutions/cat6e-plus-utp-data-sheet/ |archive-date=2023-09-26 |publisher=nCompass}}</ref> The name resembles the name of the (legitimate) Category 5e standard.
==Maximum length== When used for 10/100/1000BASE-T, the maximum allowed length of a Cat 6 cable is {{convert|100|m|ft|0|sp=us}}. This consists of {{convert|90|m|ft|0|sp=us}} permanent link, which is typically solid ''horizontal'' cabling between two connectors, often the patch panel and the wall jack, plus {{convert|10|m|ft|0|sp=us}} total of stranded patch cordage.<ref>{{Citation |title=Commercial Building Telecommunications Standard |url=https://www.belden.com/docs/upload/2050.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220081107/https://www.belden.com/docs/upload/2050.pdf |archive-date=2016-12-20 |url-status=dead |publisher=NordX/CDT}}</ref> Manufacturers have begun offering claims of supporting distances beyond {{convert|100|m|ft|0|sp=us}} which would fall outside of the TIA 568–2.D standard.<ref>{{Citation |title=Extended Distance Premium Copper Cabling Systems |url=https://www.legrand.us/network-infrastructure/copper/extended-distance-systems |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618190255/https://www.legrand.us/network-infrastructure/copper/extended-distance-systems |archive-date=2024-06-18 |url-status=live |publisher=Legrand North America}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.lanshack.com/cat5e-tutorial.aspx| title=Category 5/5E & Cat 6 Cabling Tutorial and FAQ's| access-date=2012-01-06| publisher=LANshack.com| archive-date=2013-01-17| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117171629/http://www.lanshack.com/cat5e-tutorial.aspx| url-status=live}}</ref> The wire pairs must not be untwisted, and the outer jacket must not be stripped back more than {{convert|13|mm|abbr=on}}.
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.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Category 6 cables}} * {{cite web | url = http://www.siemon.com/us/white_papers/06-01-10_10G-horizontal-cabling-choices.asp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150221082358/http://www.siemon.com/us/white_papers/06-01-10_10G-horizontal-cabling-choices.asp | archive-date = 2015-02-21 | url-status = dead | title = {{nowrap|10 Gb/s}} Over Copper: Horizontal Cabling Choices | publisher = The Siemon Company | date = 2006-01-10 }} Information on cable construction and alien crosstalk mitigation. * {{cite journal | url = http://www.adc.com/us/en/productsandservices/truenet/media/Determining_the_Right_Media.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100104093138/http://adc.com/us/en/productsandservices/truenet/media/Determining_the_Right_Media.pdf | archive-date = 2010-01-04 | title = Determining the Right Media | journal = BICSI News | volume = 28 | number = 2 |date=March–April 2007 | first = John | last = Schmidt }} Information on TIA TSB-155 37m versus IEEE 55m limitations. * {{cite web |url=http://www.siemon.com/uk/white_papers/04-01-15_cat6.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714235621/http://www.siemon.com/uk/white_papers/04-01-15_cat6.asp |archive-date=2018-07-14 |url-status=dead |title=What Really Changes With Category 6 |publisher=The Siemon Company }}
{{UTP Cable Standards}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Category 6 Cable}} Category:Ethernet cables