Category 6 Cable

September 26th, 2016

Who: IEFS Managers, Premises & Wire Technicians

What: Category 6 Cable Info and Use
Where: All Regions
When: September 27, 2016

What is Category 6 Cable?

Category 6 or Cat 6 cable is a standardized wire for Gigabit Ethernet and
other network physical layers that is backward compatible with the
Category 5 and 5e wiring cable standards.

The Cat 6 standard was first released in 2002 as part of the

Telecommunications Industry Association’s TIA/EIA-568-B.2-1 document
specification.

Compared with Cat 5 and Cat 5e, Cat 6 features more stringent specifications for crosstalk and system noise.

Cat 6 has a larger overall diameter than Cat5e because it uses larger
copper conductors, 23 AWG vs. 24 AWG. It provides better Bit Error Rate
(BER) performance for Fast Ethernet (100BASE-TX) and Gigabit Ethernet
(1000BASE-T) networks. And all the transmission parameters for Category
6 channels, permanent links, and components are specified up to 250
MHz compared to 100 MHz for Category 5 and 5e.

If Cat 6 rated patch cables, jacks and connectors are not used with Cat 6
wiring, overall performance is degraded and will not meet Cat 6
performance specifications.

Cat5e vs Cat6
Cat 5e and Cat 6 cables both use four pairs of wires that are housed in a plastic Cat5e
or vinyl sheath. Each wire pair is color-coded with one wire having solid-color
insulation and the other wire striped insulation with the same color. The two
solid and striped wires of the same color are twisted together to reduce
interference.
Cat6
Other distinct differences between Cat6 and Cat5e
o Cat6 pairs have tighter twists
o Cat6 pairs are staggered up and down when they are terminated
Cat5e Cat6
o Cat6 cable is slightly thicker than Cat5e
o There are specific tools used to terminate Cat6 (see listed PIDs)
o Cat6 is more expensive than Cat5e

Below is a table of key differences in performance between Cat5e and Cat 6.

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 Cat5e Cat6
Speed Up to 1Gbps Up to 10Gbps
Frequency 100 MHz 250 MHz
Maximum Length 1 Gbps up to 100 M (~330Ft) 10 Gbps up to 55 M (~180 Ft)
1 Gbps up to 100 M (~328 Ft)
Standard Gauges 24 AWG 23 AWG
Ethernet Standard 10BASE-T 10BASE-T
Supported 100BASE-TX 100BASE-TX
1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX 1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX
10GBASE-T

Cat6 Details
Category 6 cable can be identified by the printing on the side of the cable sheath.

The thicker sheath protects against near end crosstalk (NEXT) and alien crosstalk (AXT) which both occur more often
as the frequency (MHz) increases.

Many Cat-6 cables also include a nylon spline which helps eliminate crosstalk. In Cat-6 cable, the spline is not
required as long as the cable tests according to the standard.

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Cable twisting length is not standardized. Typically there are 1.5-2 twists per cm. in Cat-5e and 2+ twists per cm. in
Cat-6. Within a single cable, each colored pair will also have different twist lengths based on prime numbers so that
no two twists ever align.

The wire pairs must not be untwisted and the outer jacket must not be stripped back more than 0.5 in (12.7 mm)
when being terminated. Cat 6 patch cables are normally terminated in 8P8C (RJ45) modular connectors.

REMEMBER! If Cat 6 rated patch cables, jacks and connectors are not used with Cat 6 wiring, overall
performance is degraded and will not meet Cat 6 performance specifications. There are specific Cat 6 jumpers,
jacks, connectors, modules, etc. that will need to order in order to install Cat 6 properly. (see PID list below)

The cable must not be kinked or bent too tightly (the bend radius should be at least four times the outer diameter of
the cable.

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Installation Guidelines
Things to Remember
o Category 6 cables must be properly installed and terminated to meet specifications
o Cat 6 is limited to 100 meter runs for 1 Gbps
o Do not exceed the bend radius (x4 cable diameter)
o Keep twists as close to termination as possible
o For all FTTP orders, homeruns from the ONT to RG must be Cat5e/6 and must use all 4 pairs

FTTP Installation Scenarios

- If available existing homerun is Cat 5e or better and all 4 pairs are available, then the existing homerun can
be used.
- If available existing homerun is less than Cat 5e and/or all 4 pairs are not available, then a new homerun will
need to be placed. Install a Cat 6 cable.
- If no homerun is available, install a Cat 6 cable.

FTTP Repair Scenarios

- After troubleshooting if the existing homerun is found to need replacing, replace with Cat 6 Cable.
- If the RG needs to be relocated and there is not an available Cat5e cable or better, place a Cat 6 Cable.

Cat 6 is available to order in upfront and comes in a reel box of

1000 ft. similar to Cat5e. It can be ran using the same practices as
other IW.

Cat 6 cable can also be used to run lines to additional jacks to feed
STBs, DVRs, and other customer hard wired devices (computers,
games consoles, etc.) for customers on any job (FTTP and non-
FTTP). Standard pricing for additional lines applies.

A good general rule of thumb – if you have to run a new line, use Cat 6.

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AT&T Proprietary (Internal Use Only) Not for use or disclosure outside
the AT&T companies except under written agreement.
PIDS
PID Item/Description Price Notes
ATT.100086452 CABLE CAT 6 CMX-OUTDOOR $159.53
CABLE CAT 6 CMX-OUTDOOR/CMR BEIGE. COMES IN 1000FT This is the only Cat 6 approved for use
BRAKE BOX. USED FOR CUSTOMER PREMISE LOCATIONS. by SD&A for outdoor and indoor
CAN TRANSITION FROM OUTDOOR TO INDOOR LOCATIONS. applications. Be sure SD&A techs
Order Qty Increments: 1 | Pack Qty: 1000 | Min Qty: 1 | Max order this PID.
Qty: 10000 | APROMS: 316151596

ATT.100086763 PLUG MOD RJ45 (8P8C) CAT6 2 PIECE $28.69

PLUG RJ45 (8PBC) CAT 6, 2 PIECE, FOR ROUND, SOLID
COPPER CAT 6, 3 PRONG 50. WORKS WITH 316151588 / These connectors require the use of a
ATT.100086451 AND 316151596 ATT.100086452 CAT6 CABLE.
REQUIRES TELE-TITAN CRIMPER (VPN 12507C). VPN 106188J
specific crimp tool (PID 100086764)
Order Qty Increments: 1 | Pack Qty: 1 | Min Qty: 1 | Max Qty:
900 | APROMS: 316153873

ATT.100086764 CRIMPER RJ45 MOD PLUG. TELE-TITAN $22.74

CRIMPER RJ45 TELE-TITAN MODULAR PLUG CRIMP TOOL. This crimp tool is to be used with
USED WITH RG45 CAT6 2 PC PLUGS (VPN 106188J). VPN specific rj45 connectors (PID
12507C
Order Qty Increments: 1 | Pack Qty: 1 | Min Qty: 1 | Max Qty: 100086763)
900 | APROMS: 316153881

ATT.100040079 MODULAR JACK UNIVERSAL WIRING CAT 6E $4.83

ADCJF608
MODULAR JACK UNIVERSAL WIRING CAT 6E ADCJF608 Cat 6 modular jock for wall plates
Order Qty Increments: 1 | Pack Qty: 1 | Min Qty: 1 | Max Qty:
99999999 | APROMS:

Related Documents

MAPP – Knowledge Manager (One Stop location for all current communications):
http://cfop.netops.att.com/mapp_docs/index.cfm

Field Operations & Care Planning Contacts (FAST)

Isabel Astorga (IA4565) – Senior (Technical Process/Quality)

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AT&T Proprietary (Internal Use Only) Not for use or disclosure outside
the AT&T companies except under written agreement.