The computer industry 100 ohm Category 6 standard provides performance up to 250MHz, and is suitable for Gigabit Ethernet and other high speed applications. Category 6 defines more stringent specifications than those applicable to Category 5E, particularly in crosstalk between pairs.
Unlike Category 5E where there is just one main cable lay up (4 twisted pairs, laid up together), there are many for Category 6, of varying complexity (and manufacturing cost). These variations deliver enhanced crosstalk performance, which may be appropriate in some applications (primarily in improved transfer impedance and coupling attenuation).
The basic U/UTP design has a similar construction to Category 5E, but obtains some of the enhanced performance by holding the pairs apart and in a more fixed geometrical relationship by the use of a non-metallic cross-shaped ‘spline’. F/UTP is similar but has an overall foil screen. The U/FTP type has a Draka patented foil screen over pairs 1 and 2 (blue, orange) and another over pairs 3 and 4 (green and brown). The S/FTP (HS23) type is like U/FTP but includes an overall braid screen.
Note that the different constructions give different overall diameters, care should therefore be taken in selection of connectors in the unlikely event that these are required. The cables in this section are solid conductor designs, suitable for installation and are not recommended for patching. Special RJ45 connectors are stocked which suit the 6.5mm U/FTP - stock code 46-658 and 6.9mm S/FTP – stock code 46-609. ‘Slimline’ types have a reduced overall diameter of 5.3mm to reduce space requirements at installation.
Cables are available with standard (PVC) or Low Fire Hazard (‘LSOH’) jackets.
See Category 6A cables for performance up to 500MHz.
Technical Specification:
| Conductors: |
1/0.56mm (23AWG) plain copper |
| Insulation: |
Solid polyethylene (-/UTP) or foamed polyethylene (-/FTP types), according to Category Cable Colour Codes |
| Lay-up: |
Two insulated conductors twisted together, pairs twisted together |
| Pair screens: |
-/UTP none, -FTP types aluminium/polyester tape (aluminium side in) (see explanatory note in text above) |
| Drain wire: |
1/0.4mm tinned copper wire, laid up with cores (U/FTP type only) |
| Overall jacket: |
PVC or LFH material, O.D. 5.3mm U/UTP Slimline, 6.1mm U/UTP, 6.5mm U/FTP, 6.8mm F/UTP, 6.9mm S/FTP |
| CPR Euroclass: |
Eca (31-928), Dca-s2,d2,a1 (31-925, 31-936, 31-959), B2ca-s1a,d1,a1 (31-935) |
| Minimum bending radius: |
30mm (U/UTP), otherwise 80mm |
| Impedance: |
100 +/- 15 ohms |
| Velocity ratio: |
67% |
| Attenuation (-/UTP): |
6.0dB/100m (10MHz) |
|
19.1dB/100m (100MHz) |
|
27.0dB/100m (200MHz) |
|
32.0dB/100m (250MHz) |
| Attenuation (-/FTP types): |
5.4dB/100m (10MHz) |
|
17.4dB/100m (100MHz) |
|
25.0dB/100m (200MHz) |
|
28.1dB/100m (250MHz) |
| Near end crosstalk (-/UTP): |
63dB (10MHz) (Slimline type 60dB) |
|
48dB (100MHz) (Slimline type 45dB) |
|
44dB (200MHz) (Slimline type 41dB) |
|
42dB (250MHz) (Slimline type 39dB) |
| Near end crosstalk (-/FTP types): |
100dB (10MHz) |
|
100dB (100MHz) |
|
92dB (200MHz) |
|
90dB (250MHz) |
| Weight: |
4.0kg/100m approx |
| Reel length: |
U/UTP Slimline types: Box-paks of 305 metres |
|
U/UTP types: 500 metre reels |
|
U/FTP and S/FTP types: 500 metre reels |
|
F/UTP: 1000 metre reels |
| Cut lengths: |
U/UTP Slimline types: Box-paks of 305 metres |
|
U/UTP types: Available in any multiple of 1 metre |
|
F/UTP, U/FTP and S/FTP types: Available in any multiple of 1 metre |
Note:
The standard description convention for Category cables is as follows -
| U/UTP |
Unscreened overall, unscreened twisted pairs (often also called UTP) |
| F/UTP |
Foil screened overall, unscreened twisted pairs (often also called FTP) |
| U/FTP |
Unscreened overall, foil screened twisted pairs |
| F/FTP |
Foil screened overall, foil screened twisted pairs |
| S/FTP |
Braid screened overall, foil screened twisted pairs |
Manufactured by Draka Prysmium Multimedia.
'LFH' is a registered trademark of Canford Audio Limited.