Category Cables • CAT 6A Non‑Plenum (CMR)
Windy City Wire’s CAT 6A Non‑Plenum Category Cable is engineered for commercial and industrial environments where consistent 10 Gigabit Ethernet performance and dependable installation efficiency are required. Built for riser applications, these low‑voltage SmartWire® cables are a fit for enterprise networks, manufacturing facilities, healthcare, education, transportation, security, and building automation—where uptime, code compliance, and jobsite productivity matter.
As a direct partner to integrators, contractors, and distributors, we focus on products and solutions that help you deliver high-performing cat 6a cabling with fewer callbacks and faster installs. We do not sell to end users or consumers.
Why choose SmartWire CAT 6A Non‑Plenum for your next project?
Key specifications
Where CAT 6A Non‑Plenum excels
Installation and productivity benefits
How this Category Cable supports your scope
Available constructions
SmartWire jacket and stripe colors
Partner with Windy City Wire
We supply low‑voltage Category Cable solutions designed for commercial and industrial outcomes. Our team supports integrators, contractors, and distributors with specification assistance and product consistency across projects. If your next build calls for cat 6a, our CAT 6A Non‑Plenum SmartWire provides the performance and installer‑friendly features to deliver results—whether you’re pulling long risers, terminating to patch panels, or preparing field‑made cat6a patch cable assemblies.
CAT 6A Non‑Plenum Category Cable for Commercial and Industrial Projects
Windy City Wire supplies professional‑grade Category Cable engineered for the demands of integrators, electrical contractors, and low‑voltage distributors. Our CAT 6A Non‑Plenum portfolio is built around 23 AWG solid bare copper conductors in a four‑pair twisted construction, optimized for reliable 10GBASE‑T performance, robust PoE power delivery, and dependable operation in riser and general non‑air‑handling spaces.
What you can expect in the field
Designed to ANSI/TIA/EIA‑568 and ISO/IEC 11801 requirements, this cat 6a cabling supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet up to a 100‑meter channel when installed to standard practices. The CMR (riser) rated FRPVC jacket is well‑suited for vertical risers and general building spaces outside of environmental air plenums. Standard TIA color‑coded pairs simplify terminations and testing. Available in both shielded (overall foil) and non‑shielded constructions, you can match the cable design to the EMI conditions and performance objectives of the site.
Where CAT 6A Non‑Plenum makes sense
Industries served
Choosing shielded vs. non‑shielded CAT 6A
Design and installation notes
Specification highlights that matter on the job
The cable features four tightly controlled twisted pairs with solid 23 AWG bare copper conductors for consistent impedance and low insertion loss. The FRPVC riser jacket withstands typical installation stresses while maintaining code compliance. Shielded options add an overall foil to help maintain performance in electrically noisy environments. Standard pair color coding streamlines identification and accelerates termination.
Build a complete CAT 6A channel
For best results, pair bulk cat 6a cabling with matching connectivity hardware and a properly rated cat6a patch cable at both endpoints. This preserves the certified performance of the overall channel and ensures long‑term reliability for mission‑critical applications.
Why partner with Windy City Wire
We focus on the needs of integrators, contractors, and distributors—delivering consistent performance, clear compliance, and product options that align with real‑world installation conditions. Whether you select shielded or non‑shielded CAT 6A Non‑Plenum, you’re equipped to deploy reliable, code‑appropriate infrastructure for today’s Ethernet, PoE, and low‑voltage systems.
These SmartWire Category Cables are built with 23 AWG, 4-pair solid bare copper conductors. Options include both shielded (O/A foil) and non-shielded constructions for your cat 6a cabling needs.
Common jacket/stripe color options include: 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. Contact Windy City Wire for additional Category Cable color and stripe customizations.
They use solid bare copper conductors (23 AWG) for permanent in-wall and backbone runs. For equipment patching, use a factory-terminated cat6a patch cable while keeping this bulk cat 6a ethernet cable for horizontal runs.
Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire Category Cable in 1,000 ft lengths as our standard. All items in this CAT 6A Non-Plenum section are available in 1,000 FT to support consistent, efficient installations.
Our SmartWire Category Cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton for streamlined handling and installation as part of our complete solution. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview
- CAT5e: Up to 1 Gbps, 100 MHz, 100 m; used for basic data/voice networks.
- CAT6: Up to 1 Gbps at 100 m; supports 10G to about 37–55 m; 250 MHz; tighter twists and better crosstalk performance than CAT5e.
- CAT6A: Designed for 10G up to 100 m; 500 MHz; improved alien crosstalk control and often thicker jackets or shielding. Ideal for modern 10 Gig cat 6a ethernet cable backbones and high-density environments.
- CAT7: Typically 10G up to 100 m with individually shielded pairs and an overall braid; 600–1000 MHz depending on standard. CAT7 is an ISO/IEC specification and not recognized by TIA for RJ45; often uses GG45/TERA connectors. In most U.S. deployments, CAT6A is the preferred standard for 10G structured cabling.
Color conventions vary by organization. Common practices include:
Always follow your site standards when assigning Category Cable colors for cat 6a cabling.