Cat6a Cable: The Specification Lines
Quick answer / TL;DR: Short answer: specify Cat6a cable by category, shield (U/UTP or F/UTP/S/FTP), conductor (23 AWG solid for permanent runs, stranded for cords) and jacket (CM, CMR, CMP, outdoor). Solid shielded CMR for a riser is a different product from stranded unshielded patch cable, and both are 'Cat6a'.
Cat6a cable is not one product: the category name covers solid and stranded conductors, shielded and unshielded builds, and every jacket rating. Two buyers asking for 'Cat6a' can receive products that differ in ways that matter to the installation – which is why the order has to name four lines, not one.
This is the specification guide: the axes that create the SKU, the combinations that sell, and the wording that gets the right box delivered.
The Axes That Create the SKU
| The axis | The options | The effect |
|---|---|---|
| Shield | U/UTP, F/UTP, S/FTP | Interference rejection, grounding |
| Conductor | Solid 23 AWG, stranded | Permanent run or patch |
| Jacket | CM, CMR, CMP, outdoor | Permitted route |
| Length | 305 m box, shorter | Waste and handling |
Four axes multiply: the catalogue entry marked 'Cat6a' may cover a dozen SKUs, and only the four lines identify one.
The Combinations That Sell
- Solid F/UTP CMR: the riser and horizontal workhorse
- Solid U/UTP CM: where interference is low and the route is general
- Stranded U/UTP: patch cords only
- Solid F/UTP outdoor: exterior runs in conduit
Most projects need two of the four; the ordering mistake is assuming one SKU covers a building.
The Wording That Works
| The line | The example |
|---|---|
| Category | Cat6a |
| Shield | F/UTP |
| Conductor | Solid, 23 AWG bare copper |
| Jacket and pack | CMR, 305 m box |
Standards and Verification
| The reference | The relevance |
|---|---|
| TIA-568.2-D | Category 6A and shielded requirements |
| ISO/IEC 11801-1 | Class EA and screening classes |
| UL 444 | Jacket ratings |
| Field test | Channel test at the installed category |
Per-SKU availability varies by supplier and is not provided in the knowledge base. The axes are standard; confirm the exact combination on the datasheet and the jacket print.
Real-World Applications
The riser order
A six-floor riser specified as 'Cat6a': the delivered boxes unshielded CM. The order rewritten as solid F/UTP CMR – the route requirement finally named.
The patch-cord bench
Stranded Cat6a bought separately for cords: the conductor axis respected, the cords surviving the plug end.
The conduit that would not fill
Shielded Cat6a specified for a tight conduit: the diameter measured, the fill over the limit. Two smaller runs planned – the physical axis checked late.
Related reading: The buying guide for the category? Read the Cat6a ethernet cable guide — blogs/news/cat6a-ethernet-cable-guide
Related reading: The SKU taxonomy in general? Read the Cat6 types guide — blogs/news/cat6-cable-types
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the types of Cat6a cable?
Combinations of shielding (U/UTP, F/UTP, S/FTP), conductor (solid, stranded) and jacket rating (CM, CMR, CMP, outdoor).
Is all Cat6a shielded?
No – unshielded Cat6a exists, though shielded builds dominate. Shielding adds grounding obligations.
Solid or stranded Cat6a?
Solid for permanent runs and punch-down termination; stranded for patch cords that flex.
How do I order the right one?
Name four lines: category, shield, conductor, jacket – and check the jacket print on delivery.
Sourcing cables for a project, a store, or a private-label line? Contact our B2B sales team for specifications, certification evidence, and volume terms – FOB and CIF options available. Request a quote or sample.