Which cable do you want for your seamless working and unstoppable performance? Let’s guide you to the need and the best suitable option in a cost-effective manner. So you may have a smooth internet connection and ultimate performance.
Do you need a Cat6 or Cat6a cable? What are your needs? Are you aware of your server speed requirements? If not let me take you there while keeping all the things easy regarding the ethernet cable. Cat6 ethernet cable or bulk cat6a plenum cable will quench your thirst for fast networking. Do not burden yourself with the buying process of ethernet cable. It’s just a matter of time and I hope at the end of the blog you will be sure about the selection of the cable.
The Difference Between Cat6 Plenum and Cat6a Plenum
There are salient differences between the Cat6 plenum cable and the Cat 6a plenum cable. Except for the outer jacket ratings the internal specs of both cables are different. To make things short let’s discuss the differences between bulk cat6 plenum and Cat 6a plenum cable in the table below.
| Traits | Cat6 Plenum (CMP) | Cat6a Plenum (CMP) |
| Speed | 1 Gbps 1000BASE-T | 10 Gbps speed 10GBASE-T |
| Conductor Size | 23 AWG | 23AWG |
| Bandwidth | 550 MHz | 750 MHz |
| Speed over 50 meters | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Connector Type | RJ45 Connector | RJ45 Connector |
| Cable Construction | 4 twisted wire pairs of Copper conductorsCMP-rated flame-retardant jacket (FEP) | 4 twisted wire pairs (tighter twists than Cat6) Copper conductors (bare) CMP-rated flame-retardant jacket (usually PVC or FEP) |
| Applications | Low-power data networks Voice over Ethernet (VoIP), PoE/+/++ | High-speed data networks 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) applications PoE (Power over Ethernet) |
| Cost | Generally less expensive | More expensive than Cat6 plenum cables |
| Durability | Tighter twisted pairs but less durable than Cat6a | More durable bears 6-7 twists per inch |
| Flexibility | Standard flexibility | Lower flexibility may face challenges in installing this cable |
| Fire Safety | Meets the highest fire safety standard (UL-910) for plenum spaces Low smoke emission, Flame retardant, UV-resistant | UL-910 standards for fire safety specially designed for vertical and horizontal spaces of the buildings |
| Suitable Location | Attics, vertical, horizontal, drop ceilings, HVAC systems | Vertical and horizontal spaces of the buildings. |
These are the much-comparing differences between the cat6 and cat6a cables. Read this table and you will know exactly what are the major differences between cat6 and Cat6a cables.
One of the major differences are speed and bandwidth capacity of the cable. Now what type of cable do you want for installing in your home or office?
When Do You Need Cat6 or Cat6a Shielded Cables?
The need arises when the location is over-flooded with the pre-installed power and ethernet cables. There are two possible locations where you take a deep look at which cable will halt the progression of the outside interference.
First UTP Cat6 cables are the general ethernet cables that are only used in stationary spaces of the buildings with minimum interference present in the field. UTP cat6a cables have tighter twisted pair cables that can be installed in stationary spaces where they show maximum avoiding the EMI and RFI to the minimum.
The right time to opt for the Cat6 plenum shielded cables or Cat6a shielded cables is when you need to deploy cable in an overcrowded environment (Power and LAN cables). Each power cable and ethernet cable has its magnetic field so if you use UTP cables the signal quality may decrease.
What Are The Benefits of Cat6 and Cat6a Cables
Both cables are counted to provide the best possible performance and benefits that are directly linked to the basic needs of networking and beyond.
To get the right information regarding the cables you need to read some of the major specs down in the table for your ultimate buying decision.
Note: Cat6a Plenum cable might be not suitable for your home networking needs if your server equipment is still using the older standards.
Benefits of Cat6 Plenum and Cat6a Plenum Cable
| Feature | Cat6 Plenum | Cat6a Plenum |
| Performance | Up to 1 Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps) | Up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 Gbps) |
| Future-proofing | Suitable for most current applications | Can handle future high-bandwidth needs (e.g., 10 Gbps) |
| Safety | CMR-rated jacket: Flame retardant, low smoke, zero halogen | Offers same safety benefits as Cat6 Plenum |
| Fire Safety | Reduces fire hazards by not easily catching fire and emitting minimal smoke if burned | Same fire safety benefits as Cat6 Plenum |
| Durability | Suitable for in-building installations | More robust jacket construction compared to standard Cat6 cables |
| Easy Installation | Flexible design allows for easier routing within buildings | Similar ease of installation as Cat6 Plenum due to flexible design |
| Code Compliance | Meets ANSI/TIA standards | Meets the same fire safety standards as Cat6 Plenum |
| Cost | Generally less expensive than Cat6a Plenum | Higher cost than Cat6 Plenum due to increased performance capabilities |
Who Is the Winner? Cat6 or Cat6a
Both cables cater to deliver the desired functionality according to their needs, so at this time, no one is a winner but a win-win situation for both.
If you need to cater to 1 Gbps speed Cat6 is the right choice if you invest in the cat6a cable you might get futureproofing but your server speed might restrict the cat6a plenum cable from using its full potential.
Or if you are going with the Cat6 plenum shielded cable this is a more secure investment as you will have a seamless and distortion-free network connection. The debate about both ethernet cables is very confusing but if you consult your ISP or network installer you will get the right idea of which cable you need to buy for your future. Furthermore, if there are chances that you will shortly upgrade the speed of your server then both cables will give you the ultimate edge.
Final Thoughts
Selection between cat6 plenum ethernet cable and Cat6a plenum cable might not be confusing now. The more you will learn about your network cables the more you will find the right solution for your networking needs.
This guide will surely help you identify the right cable type. If you like this blog, comment down as we do appreciate your valuable feedback. Happy Networking.
