Category 6A Ethernet cable, commonly referred to as Cat6A, is a cable standard for 10 Gigabit Ethe...Category 6A Ethernet cable, commonly referred to as Cat6A, is a cable standard for 10 Gigabit Ethernet. The cable standard provides performance of up to 600MHz and is suitable for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T / 1000BASE-TX (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T (10 Gigabit Ethernet). It is backwards compatible with previous standards such as Cat6, Cat5e and Cat5. LSZH: low Smoke Zero Halogen cable reduces the amount of toxic and corrosive gas emitted during a fire. Supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet / 10GBASE-T: 10 Times faster than Gigabit Ethernet, 10GE (also called 10GbE or 10 GigE) supports a data rate of 10Gbits/s (billion bits per second). S/FTP (or S/STP): Screened and Foil (Shielded) Twisted Pair. Each individual pair is screened by foil and features an overall outer sheath. This shielding protects the cable from EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference). Snagless Connectors: The connectors feature a “bubble” which protects the locking clip on the RJ45 from damage or being snapped off during transport or installation. Flush Moulded Strain Relief: The flush moulded design allows the patch cables to be installed side by side in high-density network switches. The strain relief allows the cables to move without damaging the cable or breaking away from the connector while it is plugged in a device This product has been tested and found to comply with the applicable electrical transmission characteristics specified in: ISO/IEC 11801 ED.2 and ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 IEC 60332-1-2, RoHS Compliant and 3P Verified
The Cables Direct 2m CAT6a Ethernet cable is designed for users needing high-speed, reliable network connections for demanding applications like 10 Gigabit Ethernet. Its key benefit is delivering superior performance and protection against interference. A potential consideration is its specific requirement for Cat6a network infrastructure to achieve maximum speeds.
All features
Series
CAT6a
Model Part Number
ART-102B
Brand
Cables Direct
Extended Product Information
FAQs
What is the main advantage of Cat6a over Cat6?
Cat6a is designed to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T) reliably up to 100 meters, whereas Cat6 is typically limited to shorter distances for 10 Gbps speeds and performs best at Gigabit speeds.
What does S/FTP (S-STP) shielding mean?
S/FTP stands for Screened/Foiled Twisted Pair. It means each individual pair of wires within the cable is wrapped in foil shielding, and there is an overall braided screen around all the pairs. This provides superior protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk.
Is this cable suitable for home use?
Yes, it is suitable for home use, especially if you have devices that can take advantage of higher speeds like a 10 Gbps capable NAS or a high-performance gaming PC. For standard internet browsing and HD streaming, a Cat5e or Cat6 cable is often sufficient, but Cat6a offers future-proofing.
What does LSZH mean for the cable?
LSZH stands for Low Smoke Zero Halogen. Cables made with LSZH materials emit less toxic and corrosive smoke when exposed to fire, making them safer for use in enclosed spaces or public buildings.
Can I use this cable with my existing Cat5e network?
Yes, this Cat6a cable is backward compatible. It will work with your Cat5e network, but the maximum speed will be limited to that of Cat5e (typically 1 Gbps).
What is the maximum data transfer rate supported?
This Cat6a cable supports data transfer rates of up to 10,000 Mbit/s (10 Gbps).
How do I connect the cable?
Simply plug one end into the Ethernet port of your device and the other end into the corresponding port on your router, switch, or another network device. Ensure the connector clicks into place.
Troubleshooting
No network connection
Ensure both ends of the cable are securely plugged into the correct ports. Verify that the connected devices and network equipment are powered on and functioning. Test the cable with different ports or devices if possible.
Slow network speeds
Confirm that both connected devices and your network infrastructure (router, switch) support Cat6a speeds (10 Gbps). Check for any damage to the cable or connectors. Ensure the cable is not significantly longer than required, as extreme lengths can sometimes impact performance. Verify that the cable is not being subjected to excessive EMI if it's unshielded.
Intermittent connectivity or errors
Inspect the cable for physical damage, kinks, or stressed connectors. Ensure the connectors are fully seated. If the issue persists, try a different cable to rule out a faulty cable.
Connector clip broken
The snagless design aims to prevent this, but if a clip is broken, the cable may not stay securely connected. Replace the cable if the connection is unreliable due to a broken clip.