Connectivity

Summary: Connectivity

Connectivity for Category Cable
Windy City Wire’s Connectivity solutions are built to work seamlessly with our low-voltage SmartWire bulk Category Cable to help integrators, contractors, and distributors deliver dependable channels from the telecom room to the workstation. Whether you are deploying Category 5e, Category 6, or Category 6A infrastructure, our keystone jacks, patch panels, faceplates, and surface-mount boxes support efficient network planning, clean installation, and long-term network resilience across commercial and industrial environments.

End-to-end performance with SmartWire Category Cable
SmartWire is our U.S.-manufactured low-voltage cable brand and the foundation of your structured cabling system. Paired with Connectivity components designed for T568A/B terminations and high-density layouts, you can streamline installation and support your network optimization goals across modern networking technologies. SmartWire cables include SmartWire Glide lubrication applied during manufacturing to reduce pull friction by up to 70%, helping teams work faster and lower the risk of cable damage during tough pulls.

Connectivity options that match your build

• Keystone Jacks – Category 5e, Category 6, and Category 6A options in screened and unscreened designs with T568A/B wiring. Select standard or high-density footprints, and choose colors such as Black and Light Ivory to align with project standards. Many models are priced per each, while others are offered in contractor packs (for example, packs of 20) to simplify ordering; when sold in packs, pricing is per package.
• Patch Panels – MD-series patch panels in Category 6A with 24-port and 48-port configurations. Choose loaded panels for fast deployment or unloaded panels when you prefer to field-populate with specific jack types. All support T568A/B wiring schemes.
• Faceplates – Single-gang and double-gang options in multiple port counts (e.g., 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, and 12-port) with color choices including Black, White, Light Ivory, and Gray. Versions with labeling windows are available to support clear port identification. Many faceplates are sold in packs (commonly packs of 10) with pricing per pack.
• Specialty Faceplates – Stainless steel two-port options for high-traffic or ruggedized spaces where durability and a clean look are important.
• Surface-Mount Boxes – 1-port and 2-port boxes for extensions, modular furniture, or areas without in-wall conduit. Typically sold per each for flexible quantities.

Built for commercial deployments

• Consistency across the channel – Pair SmartWire Category Cable with matched jacks and panels (screened with shielded, unscreened with UTP) to help maintain electrical balance and throughput across the permanent link.
• Faster, cleaner installations – T568A/B compatibility, high-density jack options, and labeling window faceplates support neat terminations, documentation, and turn-up.
• Support for current and future needs – Category 5e, 6, and 6A selections help align with today’s networking technologies and give headroom for upgrades that advance network resilience.
• Identification your team can trust – Standard and custom jacket and stripe color options on SmartWire cable help standardize identification across your projects and service programs.

Available Category Cable constructions
Use the following as a quick reference to select the right SmartWire bulk cable for your application. Pair with the appropriate screened or unscreened Connectivity components for a complete channel.

• 24 AWG 4 Solid CMP 300V: Category 5e UTP plenum-rated cable for horizontal runs in air-handling spaces. A reliable choice for voice/data drops supporting 10/100/1000BASE-T to 100 meters.
• 24 AWG 4 Solid CMR 300V: Category 5e UTP riser-rated cable for vertical risers and general building pathways. Suitable for everyday enterprise data and voice deployments.
• 23 AWG 4 Solid CMP 300V: Category 6 UTP plenum-rated cable for higher-performance links in plenum spaces. Supports gigabit applications with additional headroom for emerging use cases.
• 23 AWG 4 Solid CMR 300V: Category 6 UTP riser-rated cable for performance-driven horizontal and riser routes. Balances bandwidth needs with cost-effectiveness in commercial builds.
• 23 AWG 4 Solid Foil Overall F/UTP CMP 300V: Category 6A screened plenum-rated cable with overall foil to help mitigate alien crosstalk. A strong fit for 10GBASE-T in dense pathways.
• 23 AWG 4 Solid Foil Overall F/UTP CMR 300V: Category 6A screened riser-rated cable for shielded channels outside plenum spaces. Helps maintain performance in electrically noisy environments.
• 23 AWG 4 Solid CMP 300V: Category 6A UTP plenum-rated cable designed for 10GBASE-T to 100 meters without an overall shield. Ideal for high-bandwidth office and campus networks.
• 23 AWG 4 Solid CMR 300V: Category 6A UTP riser-rated cable for 10 Gigabit horizontal and riser links. A go-to choice when you want high performance with simplified bonding and grounding.

Selection and ordering notes

• Choose screened keystone jacks, panels, and accessories when installing shielded (F/UTP) Category Cable; use unscreened Connectivity for UTP runs.
• Jacks are offered in screened and unscreened MT-series options across Category 5e, 6, and 6A with T568A/B wiring. Availability includes standard and high-density formats to optimize rack space.
• Faceplates are available in multiple colors and port counts, with or without labeling windows. Many are priced per pack of 10; confirm the package quantity when ordering.
• Several jack families are available individually or in contractor packs (commonly packs of 20). When sold in packs, pricing is per package; ordering one unit equals one package.
• MD-series patch panels include loaded and unloaded versions in 24- and 48-port counts to align with your termination strategy and workspace density.

Why teams choose Windy City Wire for Category Cable Connectivity
Windy City Wire supports integrators, contractors, and distributors with U.S.-manufactured SmartWire bulk Category Cable and a comprehensive Connectivity lineup that helps simplify installation, accelerate turn-up, and keep projects on schedule. From product selection through deployment, our solutions are engineered to support network optimization while reducing rework and improving consistency across sites. Count on our team for clear specifications, dependable availability, and a product set aligned to the way professionals build and scale modern networks.

Project value, delivered
When you choose Windy City Wire for Category Cable and Connectivity, you get an end-to-end solution designed for performance, clarity, and speed. The result is a structured cabling system that supports today’s networking technologies and positions your organization for future growth with durable components, simplified installation, and long-term network resilience.

Solutions: Connectivity

Connectivity for Complete Category Cable Systems

Windy City Wire provides a full suite of connectivity components that help integrators, contractors, and distributors build reliable Category Cable infrastructures from the telecommunications room to the outlet. Our connectivity portfolio is engineered for standards-based T568A/B terminations, consistent performance, and easy deployment across a wide range of environments. Whether your project is focused on network optimization, phased upgrades, or multi-site rollouts, these components make it straightforward to plan, install, label, and maintain the network.

Keystone Jacks: Category 5e, 6, and 6A

• Unscreened options for offices, classrooms, hospitality, and general commercial spaces where electromagnetic interference (EMI) is minimal.
• Screened options for industrial manufacturing, data-intensive workspaces, healthcare imaging suites, and areas with elevated EMI where added shielding supports network resilience.
• High-density formats for racks and consolidation points where port count is critical.
• T568A/B universal wiring across the MT-Series to simplify installation consistency and testing.
• Color selections such as black and light ivory to support visual organization by function, zone, or security level.

Faceplates and Work-Area Outlets

• Single-gang faceplates in 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 6-port configurations for flexible workstation and wall applications.
• Double-gang faceplates up to 12 ports for high-density endpoints and conference areas.
• Color and material choices including white, black, light ivory, gray, and stainless steel to match interior requirements and durability needs.
• Labeling window options to streamline documentation, speed moves/adds/changes, and support clear network planning practices.
• Blank plates for future expansion and tidy closeout of unused openings.

Patch Panels for the IDF/MDF

• 24-port and 48-port Category 6A MD-Series panels for core distribution, with T568A/B wiring for straightforward standards alignment.
• Loaded and unloaded designs to match your build strategy, allowing pre-configured speed or custom port-by-port population.
• High-density layouts that maximize rack space and simplify cable management.

Surface-Mount Boxes

• 1-port and 2-port configurations for retrofits, furniture systems, hard-to-reach spaces, and clean installations where in-wall boxes are not feasible.

Where This Connectivity Fits

• Enterprise LAN and Wireless: Connect workstations, printers, and Wi‑Fi access points for consistent throughput and simplified network optimization.
• Security and Life Safety: Support IP cameras, intercoms, and access control readers with Category Cable connectivity designed for dependable uptime.
• AV over IP and Collaboration: Enable meeting rooms, digital signage, and streaming encoders/decoders with screened or unscreened terminations matched to the environment.
• Voice and UC: Deliver VoIP handsets and conferencing endpoints with clear labeling and standards-based terminations.
• Building Systems and IoT: Power PoE lighting, sensors, and controllers while maintaining consistent documentation for future service.
• Industrial and Manufacturing: Use screened jacks and high-density patch panels to maintain network resilience amid EMI and vibration.
• Healthcare, Education, Hospitality, and Retail: Balance aesthetics, durability, and port density to meet patient care, classroom, guest, and multi-site retail demands.
• Data Centers and Edge Closets: Populate high-port-count panels, segregate networks by color, and maintain coherent labeling for faster troubleshooting.

Design Considerations for Contractors and Integrators

1. Select screened vs. unscreened based on EMI exposure, cable pathway proximity to power, and application sensitivity.
2. Match Category to application: Cat5e for legacy and light-duty, Cat6 for mainstream enterprise, Cat6A for higher bandwidth, PoE++ endpoints, and longer channel objectives in demanding spaces.
3. Plan port density ahead: Choose 24- or 48-port panels and the right faceplate port counts to align with current needs and growth.
4. Standardize on T568A/B across all terminations to simplify testing, training, and documentation.
5. Use labeling windows and color schemes to enhance documentation and accelerate troubleshooting during network planning and lifecycle maintenance.

How This Supports Networking Technologies and Operations

• Network optimization: Consistent terminations, clear labeling, and appropriate shielding minimize rework and support stable throughput under load.
• Network planning: Modular faceplates, surface-mount boxes, and unloaded panels allow phased buildouts, tenant improvements, and technology refreshes without wholesale re-cabling.
• Network resilience: Robust connectivity, screened options where needed, and high-density panels improve uptime and speed recovery during moves/adds/changes.

Why Partner with Windy City Wire for Connectivity

• End-to-end structure: From the patch panel to the outlet, our connectivity complements your chosen Category Cable to meet performance and code requirements.
• Field efficiency: T568A/B consistency, clear labeling options, and high-density form factors reduce time on site and make testing more predictable.
• Scalable deployment: Loaded or unloaded choices and broad port configurations let you build exactly what each rack, room, or area needs—today and as it grows.

Ready to Build or Standardize Your Connectivity?
Our team can help you select screened or unscreened jacks, the right panel densities, and faceplate configurations to match your environment, bandwidth goals, and documentation standards. Connect with us to review specifications, finalize bills of materials, and ensure your Category Cable infrastructure supports current and future networking technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions: Connectivity

• What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire Connectivity?

  SmartWire Category Cable options commonly align with industry standards: CAT5e typically uses 24 AWG solid bare copper, while CAT6 and CAT6A typically use 23 AWG solid bare copper. If your network planning calls for a specific AWG, contact us to confirm the exact construction for the part number you need.

• What other colors are these SmartWire Connectivity available in?

  SmartWire cable is available in a wide range of jacket and stripe colors to support clear identification and network optimization. Popular options include blue, white, gray, black, red, green, yellow, orange, purple, and brown. Custom jacket and stripe colors can be produced to standardize your installations—contact Windy City Wire for details.

• Are these SmartWire Connectivity made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  Most SmartWire Category Cable for horizontal/permanent links is solid bare copper to maximize performance and network resilience. Stranded copper variants are typically used for flexible patching applications and are available upon request.

• What lengths are these SmartWire Connectivity cable sold in?

  Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire Category Cable in 1,000 ft lengths as our standard length, supporting efficient installs and consistent results across your networking technologies.

• How is your SmartWire low-voltage Category Cable sold—on spools or in boxes?

  Our SmartWire Category Cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton to maximize labor savings and jobsite efficiency as part of our complete solution. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

• What are the main differences between CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A, and CAT7 cables?
  • CAT5e: Up to 1 Gb/s to 100 m; 100 MHz bandwidth. Solid choice for basic data runs; suitable for many small office/home deployments.
  • CAT6: 1 Gb/s to 100 m; 10 Gb/s typically to 37–55 m; 250 MHz bandwidth. Better crosstalk control than CAT5e, aiding network optimization.
  • CAT6A: 10 Gb/s to 100 m; 500 MHz bandwidth. Enhanced alien crosstalk mitigation and improved thermal performance for high-density PoE—ideal for long-term network resilience and modern networking technologies.
  • CAT7: Up to 10 Gb/s to 100 m; typically 600 MHz+ with fully shielded construction. Defined by ISO/IEC (not TIA) and often uses non-RJ45 connectors; considered for specialized environments—evaluate carefully during network planning.

  Selecting the right category balances present needs with future scalability to support network optimization and network resilience.

• What are some popular Category Cable colors and what do they stand for?

  Color codes vary by organization, but common practices include:

  • Blue: General data/user drops
  • White: Offices/standard workstation cabling
  • Gray: Patch cords or general-purpose runs
  • Yellow: PoE devices, wireless access points, or DMZ segments
  • Red: Critical systems, uplinks, or management/VLAN-restricted networks
  • Green: Cross-connects, management, or security devices
  • Orange: Backbone/interconnects or ISP/demarc
  • Purple: VoIP/telephony or AV
  • Black: CCTV, access control, or stage/AV
  • Brown: Building automation/BAS

  Always follow your organization’s documentation to keep network planning consistent and auditable.

Additional Links:

• Learn more about our SmartWire Cable
• The RackPack - Our patented cable delivery solution
• Our Transporters - RackPack Transportation Devices
• 19 Stocking Locations Nationwide - Find a Branch near you