AV Category Cable CAT 6A Cables

Summary: ProAV Category Cable CAT 6A Cables

SmartWire ProAV Cabling from Windy City Wire
Professional AV systems depend on predictable bandwidth, clean signal delivery, and reliable power for networked endpoints. Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire® low-voltage Category 6A solutions designed for AV-over-IP, control, surveillance, and conferencing workloads where a dependable pro av cable is essential. Our portfolio of cat 6a cabling supports 10GBASE‑T data rates, helps manage heat in bundled runs, and is well-suited for POE (power over ethernet) used by cameras, encoders/decoders, touch panels, and displays.

Why SmartWire for ProAV
SmartWire is the Windy City Wire brand of low-voltage cable built in the United States for commercial and industrial installations. Each SmartWire cat 6a ethernet cable option is engineered for consistent electrical performance across long pulls and dense pathways commonly found in enterprise AV spaces.

• Category 6A performance: 23 AWG, 4-pair solid bare copper construction enables 10 Gigabit Ethernet to typical channel lengths used in ProAV and IT networks.
• Supports networked AV and control: Optimized for AV-over-IP transport, control systems, streaming end points, and building systems that rely on TCP/IP.
• POE-ready conductor design: Solid 23 AWG copper aids current-carrying capacity and thermal management for POE (power over ethernet) devices in conference rooms, classrooms, healthcare, and arenas.
• Pulling made easier: SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied during manufacturing and reduces friction during cable pulls by up to 70% for smoother installation through conduits and trays.
• Right cable for each pathway: Available in plenum, riser, and non-plenum constructions with shielded and non-shielded options to address noise environments and code requirements.
• Color and identification options: Standard and custom jacket and stripe colors are available to support your organization’s color standards and simplify field identification across large AV deployments.
• Standards-based pair color code: White/Blue–Blue, White/Orange–Orange, White/Green–Green, White/Brown–Brown for consistent termination and testing.
• Form factor: Nominal O.D. around 0.300" helps balance performance and pathway fill in cable trays, baskets, and conduits.
• Lengths to fit your project: 1000 ft standard, with 500 ft and 250 ft options to align with job size and reduce leftover scrap.
• Integrates with your IT stack: Ideal for horizontal runs feeding jacks and patch panels that interface cleanly with your existing cat6a patch cable ecosystem.

Where SmartWire Cat 6A Excels in ProAV
Use SmartWire cat 6a cabling for AV-over-IP encoders/decoders, video conferencing systems, IP cameras for production and security, digital signage players, LED video walls, control processors and touch panels, DSPs and amplifiers with network control, and networked lighting or occupancy sensors that share infrastructure with AV systems.

Available Constructions
All constructions are low-voltage, 23 AWG, 4-pair solid bare copper to meet Category 6A performance requirements. Choose shielding and jacket type to match your environment and noise profile.

• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Polyolefin Low-Voltage: Non‑Shielded Plenum — Balanced for 10G performance in air-handling spaces; suitable for clean EMI environments. A solid choice for horizontal runs in offices, classrooms, and open ceilings.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Polyolefin Low-Voltage: Shielded Plenum — Adds shielding for improved noise immunity in high-interference paths. Well-suited for AV risers adjacent to power, mechanical, or RF sources where additional protection is beneficial.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Polyolefin Low-Voltage: Non‑Shielded Non‑Plenum — A cost-effective option for non-air-handling spaces and protected pathways. Ideal for short horizontal links and equipment room jumpers that don’t require plenum or riser ratings.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Polyolefin Low-Voltage: Shielded Riser — Provides added shielding for vertical runs between floors or in noisy riser shafts. Designed to help preserve signal integrity for AV control and AV-over-IP backbones.

Technical Notes

• Conductor: 23 AWG, solid bare copper; 4 twisted pairs for Category 6A.
• Shielding: Available in Non‑Shielded and Shielded versions to address EMI/RFI and crosstalk concerns.
• Typical nominal O.D.: Approximately 0.300" depending on construction.
• Pair color code: White/Blue–Blue; White/Orange–Orange; White/Green–Green; White/Brown–Brown to align with standard termination practices.
• Common jacket colors: Black and Orange; custom jacket and stripe colors available on request.

How Windy City Wire Delivers Value for ProAV Projects

• Purpose-built for AV over IP: Consistent Category 6A performance helps ensure low latency and reliable throughput for switching, streaming, and control.
• Installation efficiency: SmartWire Glide lubrication reduces pull friction, helping crews complete long runs faster and with less rework.
• Design flexibility: Shielded and non-shielded options, plus plenum, riser, and non-plenum jackets, allow one cabling family to cover a full building scope.
• Inventory alignment: 1000 ft, 500 ft, and 250 ft lengths help match material to job size and reduce excess.
• Brand consistency: Custom jacket and stripe color options make it easier to standardize across campuses or multi-site rollouts.
• Compatibility: Works seamlessly with enterprise switching, PoE injectors, patch panels, and field-terminated connectors, and supports use alongside your existing cat6a patch cable infrastructure.

Ready for Your Next AV Build
Whether you are deploying new AV-over-IP networks or upgrading legacy infrastructure, SmartWire Cat 6A pro av cable options provide a dependable, code-appropriate backbone for today’s AV endpoints. Contact Windy City Wire to review specifications, select the right construction for your environment, and align material releases with your project schedule.

Solutions: ProAV Category Cable CAT 6A Cables

Professional-grade CAT 6A for AV systems
Windy City Wire’s AV Category Cable CAT 6A Cables are built for the demands of commercial and industrial audio-visual environments. Using 23 AWG solid bare copper conductors in a four-pair construction, these runs support 10 Gigabit transport, low latency streaming, and reliable POE (power over ethernet) delivery across large facilities. Options include shielded and non-shielded constructions and both plenum and riser ratings to meet code requirements and interference challenges. Available lengths include 250, 500, and 1000 FT to match project scope and installation style.

Where CAT 6A excels in ProAV
Organizations increasingly standardize on cat 6a cabling to unify data and AV transport on one physical layer. For integrators and facility teams, this means one cable plant can carry control signals, audio networks, and high-bandwidth video distribution—while also powering endpoints via POE (power over ethernet).

• AV over IP distribution: Move 4K media, video wall content, and interactive signage across switches using encoders/decoders that thrive on 10G-ready links. CAT 6A pro av cable provides the headroom and noise immunity required in dense switch environments.
• Conferencing and collaboration: Support cameras, microphones, DSPs, touch panels, and compute at the table or display. CAT 6A helps ensure consistent performance for UC platforms and room standards across huddle rooms, training spaces, and executive boardrooms.
• Digital signage and IPTV: Home-run or distributed topologies for campus-wide displays, players, and control processors benefit from long, stable runs and POE powering for screens, media players, and occupancy/touch interfaces.
• Networked audio (Dante/AES67): Time-sensitive audio streams demand low jitter and crosstalk. The stability of 23 AWG, solid-copper cat 6a cabling is well-suited for performance halls, studios, and corporate audio distribution.
• HDBaseT and point-to-point AV: For rooms or spaces that still deploy extenders, CAT 6A maintains bandwidth and signal integrity over longer distances with appropriate devices.
• Control and automation: Building-wide AV control processors, sensors, and scheduling panels consolidate onto a single IP backbone—often powered by POE (power over ethernet) to minimize additional power wiring.

Industries and environments

• Corporate campuses: Standardize conference rooms, open collaboration zones, and all-hands spaces with a unified cabling plant for AV, control, and IT. CAT 6A supports today’s UC platforms while preparing for higher bandwidth codecs.
• Higher education and K–12: Lecture capture, distance learning, and digital signage require consistent, scalable infrastructure. CAT 6A supports PTZ cameras, microphones, and displays over existing switching fabrics.
• Healthcare: From OR integration and teaching theaters to waiting room signage and paging, shielded cat 6a cabling helps mitigate EMI near imaging equipment and power systems.
• Hospitality and venues: Hotels, casinos, arenas, and theaters rely on resilient networks for wayfinding, LED walls, broadcast/streaming production, and BGM systems.
• Retail and QSR: Interactive kiosks, menu boards, and in-store audio benefit from a single cabling platform that handles data, AV, and device power.
• Transportation and public sector: Operations centers, passenger information systems, paging, and emergency messaging often combine shielded CAT 6A with plenum ratings for code compliance and reliability.
• Industrial and manufacturing: Training rooms, control rooms, and floor-level signage near heavy machinery frequently call for shielded CAT 6A to reduce interference.
• Broadcast and streaming facilities: CAT 6A supports IP-based production workflows, comms/intercom, and feed distribution throughout studios and control rooms.
• Stadiums and large venues: Scoreboard control, distributed audio, suite AV, and concourse signage utilize high-bandwidth links across long distances with robust mechanical performance.

Why CAT 6A for professional AV

• 10G-ready performance: Designed for Category 6A performance across full channel lengths, supporting modern AV over IP platforms and future codec demands.
• Power and data on one cable: 23 AWG solid bare copper conductors help manage heat and voltage drop for higher-wattage POE (power over ethernet) endpoints such as PTZ cameras, touch displays, and DSPs.
• Noise resistance and headroom: Pair geometry and construction reduce crosstalk and maintain signal integrity in dense cable trays and racks.
• Flexible topologies: Works across star, distributed, or hybrid designs—supporting both permanent links and device-level connections.

Choosing shielded vs. non-shielded

• Non-shielded (UTP): Ideal for typical office, classroom, and hospitality spaces with controlled EMI. Easier termination and widely compatible with connectivity hardware.
• Shielded (F/UTP or similar): Recommended near high-voltage gear, LED walls, broadcast equipment, elevators, or industrial motors where interference can impact performance. Helps protect high-bandwidth video and time-sensitive audio streams.

Plenum, riser, and non-plenum guidance

• Plenum: For air-handling and return-air spaces found in many ceilings and open office designs.
• Riser: For vertical runs between floors and shaft spaces.
• Non-plenum: For conduit or environments where plenum/riser ratings are not required by code.

Design and installation tips

• Plan for 10G channels: Use cat 6a ethernet cable for the permanent link, with compatible jacks and patch panels rated for CAT 6A.
• Maintain pathways and separation: Observe bend radius and keep proper distance from power cabling and lighting ballasts to reduce interference and maintain channel performance.
• Termination and testing: Follow TIA best practices, terminate consistently, and certify channels to verify bandwidth and POE readiness before device commissioning.
• At the rack and endpoint: Pair the permanent link with a cat6a patch cable for switch and device connections to preserve end-to-end performance.

Key takeaways for AV integrators and facility teams

• Category 6A cabling forms a reliable backbone for AV over IP, conferencing, signage, and networked audio in commercial and industrial settings.
• 23 AWG solid bare copper conductors support high-bandwidth applications and higher-power POE (power over ethernet) devices on longer runs.
• Available in shielded and non-shielded versions, and in plenum or riser ratings to match code and EMI considerations.
• Choose from 250, 500, and 1000 FT lengths to suit single-room retrofits or campus-wide rollouts.

Ready for your next ProAV deployment
Whether you are standardizing a campus, building a control room, or refreshing conference spaces, our CAT 6A pro av cable provides the performance and consistency needed for modern IP-based audio and video systems. Specify the shielding and rating that fits your environment, and build a dependable infrastructure that scales with your AV roadmap.

Frequently Asked Questions: ProAV Category Cable CAT 6A Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire AV Category Cable CAT 6A Cables cable?
  23 AWG
• What other colors is this SmartWire AV Category Cable CAT 6A Cables cable available in?
  White-Blue/Blue; White-Orange/Orange; White-Green/Green; White-Brown/Brown; Blue/White With Blue Stripe; Orange/White With Orange Stripe; Green/White With Green Stripe; Brown/White With Brown Stripe
• Is this SmartWire AV Category Cable CAT 6A Cables cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors?
  Solid bare copper conductors (23 AWG). Available in both shielded and non-shielded constructions.
• What length is this SmartWire AV Category Cable CAT 6A Cables cable sold in?
  Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire Building Wire in 1,000 ft as our standard length. For SmartWire AV Category Cable CAT 6A Cables, the standard length is 1,000 ft, with additional options available in 500 ft and 250 ft.
• How is your SmartWire ProAV cable sold on spools or in boxes?
  SmartWire ProAV cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton to maximize installation efficiency. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

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