Category Cable

Summary: Category Cable

ProAV Low‑Voltage Cabling from Windy City Wire

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire® low‑voltage cabling in the United States for demanding professional audio‑visual environments. From conference rooms and higher‑ed lecture halls to theaters, stadiums, broadcast control rooms, and large digital signage networks, our Pro AV cable offering is built to deliver consistent signal integrity, clean power delivery for PoE‑enabled endpoints, and reliable long‑term performance.

SmartWire is our registered brand for low‑voltage cable and is part of the complete products and solutions we provide for professional integrators and contractors. Every construction is engineered for code compliance, clarity of installation, and dependable connectivity across a wide range of AV transports including AV over IP, HDBaseT, Dante/AES67, and control systems.

Why ProAV teams choose SmartWire for projects

• Signal performance that fits the application: Category 5e, Category 6, Category 6A, and Cat 7 cables are available to match bandwidth, reach, and noise‑immunity needs across AV distribution and control.
• Shielding options: Unshielded, overall shielded, and each‑pair shielded (EPS) constructions help address EMI/RFI in venues with lighting dimmers, large power equipment, and broadcast gear.
• Code‑compliant pathways: Plenum, riser, non‑plenum, outdoor flooded, and direct‑burial options support diverse building types and campus installations.
• Installation efficiency: SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied to the cable jacket during manufacturing and reduces friction during pulls by up to 70%, helping crews work faster and protect cable geometry during installation.
• Consistency you can specify: Multiple AWG options (24, 23, and 22 AWG) and shielding levels ensure consistent performance across enterprise rollouts.
• Identification and standardization: Ask about custom jacket colors and stripe combinations to simplify field ID, speed troubleshooting, and align with enterprise standards.

Built for today’s ProAV transport

• Category 5e and 6: Ideal for control, audio transport, and moderate‑bandwidth AV over IP; verified to relevant ANSI/TIA performance standards.
• Cat 6A cabling: Provides the headroom often recommended for 4K video extenders, higher‑power PoE devices, and longer‑distance AV over IP backbones.
• Cat 7 cables (shielded): Useful in high‑noise environments and infrastructure zones where added shielding helps preserve signal integrity.

Lengths and options

• Lengths: Available in 1000 ft, 500 ft, 250 ft, and 100 ft.
• Shielding: Non‑Shielded, Shielded, and EPS (each‑pair shielded) constructions.
• AWG sizes: 24 AWG, 23 AWG, and 22 AWG.

Recommended use cases

• Plenum spaces: Use plenum‑rated constructions for air‑handling spaces common in ceiling runs across large venues.
• Riser and non‑plenum areas: Choose riser or non‑plenum for vertical shafts and standard in‑building pathways.
• Outdoor and direct burial: Outdoor flooded and direct‑burial shielded designs are suited for campus links, exterior signage, and between‑building connections.
• Patch field and rack work: Bulk cable can be field‑terminated to create site‑specific leads for equipment racks and panels, including building out cat6 patch cable assemblies where appropriate. If pre‑made patch cable assemblies are required, confirm compatibility with your termination and testing practices.

Available constructions

• 24 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Plenum Low‑Voltage: Category 5e UTP, 350 MHz; suitable for plenum spaces in control, audio, and data backbones.
• 24 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Low‑Voltage: Category 5e shielded for plenum pathways; added noise immunity in EMI‑prone ceilings.
• 24 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Category 5e UTP, 350 MHz; riser/non‑plenum spaces for general AV control and IP endpoints.
• 24 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Shielded Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Category 5e shielded for riser/non‑plenum; helps protect signals near power or dimmer loads.
• 24 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Outdoor Flooded Low‑Voltage: Category 5e UTP flooded, 100 MHz; water‑blocking construction for outdoor conduit and exposed runs.
• 24 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Direct Burial Shielded Low‑Voltage: Category 5e direct‑burial shielded; designed for in‑ground runs per UL Subject 444 (CMX type).
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Plenum Low‑Voltage: Category 6 UTP; higher bandwidth for AV over IP and PoE in plenum air spaces.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Low‑Voltage: Category 6 shielded; enhanced EMI performance for plenum zones with dense AV gear.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Category 6 UTP; dependable in‑building runs for AV distribution and control.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Shielded Non‑Plenum Low‑Voltage: Category 6e shielded; added margin where installations face moderate electrical noise.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Direct Burial Shielded Low‑Voltage: Category 6 direct‑burial shielded; robust outdoor infrastructure between buildings or signage.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Riser Low‑Voltage: Category 6A UTP CMR; supports higher‑bandwidth AV links and higher‑power PoE in riser/non‑plenum spaces.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Shielded Riser Low‑Voltage: Category 6A shielded; recommended for high‑density AV racks and EMI‑heavy pathways.
• 22 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Shielded Plenum Low‑Voltage: Category 7 shielded; larger conductor size and shielding for challenging noise environments.

Performance and standards

• Meets applicable ANSI/TIA and ISO/IEC performance requirements for each category.
• Color code follows industry conventions for quick field termination and testing.
• Nominal dimensions are engineered for consistent terminations and predictable performance in keystones and panels.

How SmartWire adds value to your next ProAV project

• Project consistency: A single source for category, shielding, and environmental ratings simplifies submittals and purchasing.
• Installation speed: SmartWire Glide lubrication helps reduce pull tension and preserves pair geometry during long runs.
• Quality manufacturing: U.S.‑made low‑voltage cable designed for repeatable results, from rough‑in through close‑out testing.
• Future‑readiness: Options up to Cat 6A and Cat 7 provide headroom for evolving AV over IP workflows and PoE power levels.
• Site standardization: Custom jacket and stripe colors help teams identify AV, control, intercom, and network segments at a glance.

Summary for ProAV buyers and estimators

Windy City Wire’s SmartWire Pro AV cable portfolio gives you low‑voltage options from Cat 5e through Cat 6A and Cat 7, across plenum, riser, non‑plenum, outdoor flooded, and direct‑burial environments. With shielding choices from UTP to EPS, availability in 24, 23, and 22 AWG, and lengths of 1000 ft, 500 ft, 250 ft, and 100 ft, you can match the right construction to each pathway and performance need. Whether you’re building out AV over IP backbones, HDBaseT links, or assembling site‑specific rack interconnects and patch cable terminations, SmartWire helps deliver reliable signals and straightforward installs.

Ready to specify or request a quote?
Contact Windy City Wire to discuss category needs, shielding, environmental ratings, and color options for your next ProAV deployment.

Solutions: Category Cable

Category Cable for Professional AV Systems
Windy City Wire supplies category cable engineered for commercial and industrial AV environments where uptime, clarity, and code compliance matter. Our ProAV category solutions cover Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A, and Cat7 constructions across plenum, riser, general-purpose, and outdoor variants so you can standardize on a single, dependable source for low-voltage distribution. With options in 24, 23, and 22 AWG and the choice of non-shielded, shielded, or each-pair-shielded designs, you can match the cable to the exact performance and environment requirements of each project. Length options include 1000, 500, 250, and 100 ft to align with project size and reduce waste.

Where Category Cable Fits in AV Systems

• AV-over-IP distribution: Transport video, audio, and data across the enterprise using managed network infrastructure.
• HDBaseT and other extension platforms: Support reliable 4K transport and control to displays, projectors, and video walls.
• Networked audio: Dante, AES67, and AVB audio systems for arenas, performance venues, houses of worship, and campus installations.
• Unified communications: Conferencing endpoints, room cameras, microphones, and touch panels in boardrooms, huddle spaces, and training rooms.
• Control and automation: Reliable runs to processors, keypads, sensors, DSPs, amplifiers, and power sequencers.
• Digital signage and IPTV: Back-of-house headends to distributed displays, kiosks, and wayfinding screens.
• KVM, USB, and device extension: Low-latency operator workstations for command centers and broadcast control rooms.
• PoE/PoE+/PoE++ endpoints: Power cameras, intercom stations, encoders/decoders, and occupancy sensors through the same cable that carries data.

Industries and Facilities We Serve

• Corporate offices and campuses: Conference rooms, divisible meeting spaces, and network closets.
• Higher education and K–12: Lecture halls, active-learning classrooms, auditoriums, and athletic facilities.
• Healthcare: Patient rooms, simulation labs, training centers, and nurse stations where plenum compliance is critical.
• Hospitality and entertainment: Ballrooms, casinos, theaters, and event spaces with dense AV distribution and signage.
• Houses of worship: Sanctuary video, overflow rooms, distributed audio, and streaming infrastructure.
• Arenas and stadiums: Scoreboards, concession areas, concourses, production booths, and back-of-house operations.
• Retail and quick service: Menu boards, background audio, paging, and surveillance backhaul.
• Government and public safety: Courtrooms, council chambers, emergency operations centers, and training facilities.
• Industrial and manufacturing: Plant-floor displays, paging, and resilient control network backbones in high-EMI areas.
• Transportation hubs: Wayfinding, paging, surveillance, and digital signage across terminals and platforms.

Choosing the Right Category Cable

• Cat5e (24 AWG): A proven choice for 10/100/1000BASE‑T, control networks, intercom, and many HDBaseT Class A/B links. Use where 1 Gig throughput and 350 MHz performance are sufficient.
• Cat6 (23 AWG): Higher bandwidth and lower crosstalk than Cat5e, ideal for dense conference floors, classrooms, and mid-span PoE loads. Supports 1G with headroom and many 2.5/5G applications.
• Cat6A (23 AWG): The workhorse for new AV builds requiring 10G performance and 4K distribution over longer distances. Cat 6a cabling provides the headroom needed for high-power PoE++ and high-density switch fabrics.
• Cat7 (22 AWG, shielded): Robust shielding and larger conductors help control external noise and maintain signal integrity in challenging RF/EMI environments such as broadcast, mission-critical control rooms, and manufacturing. Cat 7 cables are well-suited for noise-sensitive AVoIP backbones and long PoE runs where margin is essential.

Match Construction to the Environment

• Plenum (CMP): For air-handling spaces above ceilings or raised floors common in office, healthcare, and education.
• Riser/Non-Plenum (CMR/CM/CMX): Vertical risers and general use where plenum is not required.
• Outdoor/Direct Burial: UV-resistant jackets, flooded or gel constructions, and shielded designs for campus links, stadium concourses, and exterior signage where moisture and interference are factors.
• Shielding Options: Unshielded for typical office and classroom runs; overall shielded for moderate EMI; each-pair-shielded (EPS) for the highest immunity and channel balance in congested or electrically noisy spaces.

Why Integrators Choose Windy City Wire for Pro AV Cable

• Solid bare copper conductors and consistent twist geometry help maintain channel performance for AVoIP, HDBaseT, and networked audio.
• Category compliance aligned to ANSI/TIA and ISO/IEC standards, supporting predictable certification results and warranty requirements.
• Optimized for PoE across device classes, helping power endpoints without compromising thermal performance or signal integrity.
• Installation efficiency with clear pair identification and consistent cable handling characteristics, enabling faster termination, labeling, and testing.
• Scalable put-ups available in 1000, 500, 250, and 100 ft to match project scale, reduce scrap, and support staged deployment across multiple phases.

Typical AV Use Cases by Category

• Conference rooms and classrooms: Cat6 or Cat6A for displays, microphones, cameras, and touch panels; unshielded in most office settings, shielded where EMI is present.
• Large venues and arenas: Cat6A or Cat7 cables for long runs to scoreboards, concourse signage, and production racks, with shielded or EPS designs to mitigate interference.
• Healthcare and education: Plenum Cat6A for compliance in air-handling spaces and reliable 10G backbones between IDFs and endpoints.
• Outdoor signage and distributed audio: Outdoor-rated, flooded, or direct-burial shielded cable for campus paths, stadium perimeters, and transit platforms.
• Broadcast and control rooms: Shielded Cat6A or Cat7 for KVM extension, intercom networks, and low-latency production workflows.

Integration Notes

• Specify category-matched connectivity end-to-end for certification. For example, when deploying Cat6 infrastructure, use a quality cat6 patch cable at the rack for switch-to-panel connections, and select field terminations rated for the same category.
• For high-density racks and 4K distribution, Cat6A channels provide added insertion loss margin and support PoE++ devices like PTZ cameras and encoders.
• Use shielded constructions near lighting control, motors, elevators, or production equipment to reduce EMI-induced errors and retries on AVoIP streams.
• When cross-connecting or servicing endpoints, choose a properly rated patch cable that matches the horizontal run’s category to preserve channel performance.

Summary
From corporate conference ecosystems to stadium-scale AV networks, our pro av cable portfolio gives integrators the flexibility to standardize on a consistent platform while tailoring construction to each space. Cat5e through Cat7 options, multiple shielding levels, plenum and outdoor ratings, and lengths from 100 to 1000 ft make it straightforward to design, install, and certify reliable AV systems that scale with project demands.

Frequently Asked Questions: Category Cable

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire Category Cable cable?

  Available in 24 AWG, 23 AWG, and 22 AWG to support Cat5e, Cat6/Cat6A, and Cat7 performance needs.

• What other colors is this SmartWire Category Cable cable available in?

  Standard conductor color codes include: White-Blue/Blue; White-Orange/Orange; White-Green/Green; White-Brown/Brown; Blue/White; Orange/White; plus striped variants Blue/White with Blue Stripe, Orange/White with Orange Stripe, Green/White with Green Stripe, and Brown/White with Brown Stripe. Custom jacket and stripe color combinations are available—contact Windy City Wire for details.

• Is this SmartWire Category Cable cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  These SmartWire Category Cable constructions use solid bare copper conductors for reliable performance in permanent installations.

• What length is this SmartWire Category Cable cable sold in?

  At Windy City Wire, we manufacture and stock SmartWire Building Wire in 1,000 ft as our standard length, and SmartWire Category Cable is also offered in 1,000 ft lengths. Additional available lengths include 100 ft, 250 ft, and 500 ft.

• How is your SmartWire ProAV cable sold on spools or in boxes?

  SmartWire ProAV cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton for faster pulls, safer handling, and maximized jobsite efficiency. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

Additional Links:

• Learn more about our SmartWire Cable
• The RackPack - Our patented cable delivery solution
• Our Transporters - RackPack Transportation Devices
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