Outdoor CAT 6 Cables

Summary: Outdoor CAT 6 Cables

Outdoor CAT 6 Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire low-voltage outdoor cable built to perform in demanding commercial and industrial environments. Our category 6 outdoor cable products are designed for permanent outdoor runs, campus networks, security and surveillance backbones, and other exterior links where durability, consistent signal performance, and long service life matter. Whether you need general-purpose outdoor rated cat6 or direct burial cat6, our portfolio helps you complete projects efficiently and confidently.

Built for Outdoor Performance

• Engineered for exterior installations, including exposure to sunlight, temperature swings, and moisture.
• Available in non-shielded and shielded constructions to address different EMI/RFI environments.
• Black outdoor jackets for UV resistance and a clean, professional appearance along building exteriors and pathways.
• Standard TIA pair color code inside the cable for quick terminations: White-Blue/Blue, White-Orange/Orange, White-Green/Green, White-Brown/Brown.
• Nominal outside diameter references for pathway planning and fill: 0.245 in (unshielded) and 0.296 in (shielded).

Why SmartWire

• SmartWire is the brand name of the low-voltage cable we manufacture in the United States for professional installers.
• SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied during manufacturing to reduce pulling friction by up to 70%, supporting smoother pulls through conduit and outdoor pathways at no additional cost.
• Part of our complete solutions approach that helps integrators increase jobsite safety, efficiency, and consistency while reducing labor costs.
• Custom jacket and stripe color options are available to standardize your installations and make field identification easier—contact our team to discuss customization.

Where These Cables Fit

• Security and surveillance: outdoor cameras, perimeter devices, and access control endpoints.
• Commercial campuses: building-to-building runs, stadiums, schools, and healthcare complexes.
• Industrial sites: exterior sensors, control panels, and networking links in noise-prone areas (select shielded).

Available Constructions

• 24 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper Outdoor-grade insulation Low Voltage: Unshielded direct burial cat6 for standard outdoor runs where EMI is minimal; black UV-resistant jacket (nominal OD 0.245 in). This construction is not UL rated.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper with O/A Foil Shield Outdoor-grade insulation Low Voltage: Shielded, UV-rated category 6 outdoor cable for higher-performance links and noise-prone environments; black UV-resistant jacket (nominal OD 0.296 in).

Selecting the Right Option

• Non-shielded (UTP): Suitable for most outdoor rated cat6 cables where electrical interference is low and cost-efficiency is a priority.
• Shielded (FTP with O/A foil): Recommended near power equipment, radio sources, or industrial machinery to help maintain signal integrity.

How Our Outdoor Category 6 Solutions Deliver Value

• Consistent performance: Category 6 geometry and materials help maintain throughput across outdoor distances.
• Durability outdoors: UV-resistant black jackets and outdoor-grade materials are designed for long-term exposure and direct-burial applications.
• Installation efficiency: SmartWire Glide lubrication supports faster pulls, fewer reworks, and less installer fatigue.
• Project standardization: Choice of non-shielded and shielded constructions, plus optional custom jacket/stripe colors, helps streamline material planning and field identification.

Summary

For professional integrators and contractors who need reliable outdoor cable, Windy City Wire’s SmartWire category 6 outdoor cable lineup offers the right mix of durability, signal performance, and installation efficiency. From general-purpose outdoor rated cat6 to shielded direct burial cat6, our products and solutions help you deliver consistent results across commercial campuses and industrial sites. Talk with our team about your environment, EMI considerations, and color-coding preferences, and we’ll help you select the best SmartWire construction for your next project.

Solutions: Outdoor CAT 6 Cables

Outdoor CAT 6 Cables engineered for commercial and industrial networks

Windy City Wire Outdoor CAT 6 Cables are built to keep critical low-voltage systems connected in demanding outdoor environments. Designed for Gigabit Ethernet and PoE applications, these 4-pair bare copper cat6 cables support reliable data and power delivery to devices deployed across large campuses, perimeters, and remote sites. Whether you’re trenching runs as direct burial cat6 or installing in conduit, our outdoor cable options help simplify design, installation, and long-term maintenance for B2B projects.

Build options that match the environment

• Shielding choices: Available in both shielded (F/UTP) and unshielded (UTP) constructions to address noise and interference in industrial yards, near transformers, or along busy roadways.
• Conductor sizes: Choose 23 AWG for higher PoE budgets and longer runs within TIA channel limits, or 24 AWG for standard outdoor drops and device connections.
• Outdoor performance: Black, UV-stable jackets and materials designed for outdoor exposure help protect the network from sunlight, temperature swings, and moisture when installed in accordance with local codes.

Where Outdoor CAT 6 Cables are used

• Video surveillance and perimeter security: Power and backhaul for IP cameras, PTZ units, LPR systems, and intercoms along fences, parking lots, and property lines. Category 6 outdoor cable supports PoE/PoE+ to simplify deployment without local power.
• Access control and entry systems: Gate controllers, card readers, door strikes, and turnstiles across campuses and industrial facilities with consistent connectivity and grounding options when using shielded outdoor rated cat6.
• Outdoor Wi‑Fi and wireless bridging: Connect and power exterior access points, point-to-point or point-to-multipoint radios for yard coverage, dock areas, and guest spaces. Outdoor rated cat6 cables are a practical choice for both AP drops and controller connections.
• Smart lighting and pole infrastructure: Networked LED luminaires, environmental sensors, and pole-mounted devices (cameras, speakers, call boxes) connected with direct burial cat6 for neat, power-efficient installations.
• Building automation and energy management: Rooftop units, sensors, metering devices, and outdoor BAS controllers tied into the core network for monitoring and control.
• Digital signage and kiosks: Scoreboards, wayfinding, menu boards, and ticketing/payment kiosks at stadiums, arenas, campuses, and transit hubs.
• Industrial and IIoT deployments: Yard management systems, conveyors, motor control enclosures, and outdoor HMIs—especially effective with shielded 23 AWG in EMI-heavy zones.
• Utilities and critical infrastructure: Water and wastewater sites, lift stations, substations, and solar fields using category 6 outdoor cable for IP monitoring, sensors, and edge control devices.
• Transportation and smart city: Traffic cabinets, roadside units, parking guidance, toll booths, and connected intersections requiring dependable outdoor cable runs.
• Enterprise campuses: Education, healthcare, and corporate environments linking buildings and outdoor spaces—security, guest Wi‑Fi, and operational systems—on one low‑voltage platform.
• Hospitality and retail: Resorts, campuses, and malls leveraging outdoor rated cat6 for poolside Wi‑Fi, exterior POS, and surveillance without local power at the device.

System integrations supported

• IP video and VMS platforms requiring stable PoE, VLAN segmentation, and reliable uplinks to NVRs or core switches.
• Access control and intercom systems with door hardware, gates, and emergency call stations on the same network.
• Wireless infrastructure for APs and point-to-point radios supporting outdoor coverage and backhaul.
• Building automation (BAS/BMS), energy monitoring, and environmental sensing integrated into OT/IT networks.
• Digital signage and content distribution systems requiring consistent bandwidth and centralized power.

Why spec Windy City Wire Outdoor CAT 6 Cables

• Performance-focused construction: 4-pair bare copper conductors help maintain signal integrity for Gigabit Ethernet and PoE applications, even in extended outdoor runs within TIA channel limits.
• Direct-burial capability: Select models are designed for direct burial installation, reducing infrastructure costs by eliminating conduit where code allows.
• PoE readiness: 23 AWG shielded options help reduce voltage drop and mitigate interference for higher-power devices like PTZ cameras, multi-radio APs, and edge compute enclosures.
• EMI mitigation: Foil-shielded constructions help protect data paths near high-voltage equipment, generators, and rail lines.
• Serviceability: Standard color pairings and Category 6 performance make termination, testing, and troubleshooting straightforward for field teams.

Best practices for outdoor installations

• Follow TIA channel guidelines (typ. 100 m maximum channel) and local codes for burial depth and pathway selection.
• Select shielded cabling when routing near power, variable frequency drives, or other EMI sources; bond and ground per manufacturer instructions.
• Use weatherproof jacks, enclosures, and strain reliefs; apply proper drip loops and sealing methods to protect terminations.
• In surge-prone areas, incorporate appropriate surge protection and bonding to safeguard connected devices.

Selecting the right cable for the job

• Direct burial cat6: Choose when trenching between buildings, poles, and remote devices without conduit.
• Outdoor rated cat6 cables in conduit: Use where pathways exist or where added mechanical protection is required.
• 23 AWG shielded: Ideal for higher PoE loads, longer runs, and electrically noisy environments.
• 24 AWG unshielded: A solid fit for standard outdoor drops, shorter device leads, and areas with minimal interference.

Planning support

Our team partners with contractors, integrators, and consultants to align product selection with code requirements and project goals. If you’re evaluating outdoor cable, category 6 outdoor cable, or need guidance on the most effective mix of outdoor rated cat6 and direct burial cat6 for a specific site, we can help with takeoffs, specifications, and deployment best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions: Outdoor CAT 6 Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire Outdoor CAT 6 Cables?

  These SmartWire Outdoor CAT 6 Cables are available in 24 AWG and 23 AWG, both in 4-pair bare copper constructions. You can choose unshielded or O/A foil shielded direct-burial options to match your installation needs.

• What other colors are these SmartWire Outdoor CAT 6 Cables available in?

  The outer jacket is Black. Inside the cable, the standard twisted-pair identification colors are: White-Blue/Blue, White-Orange/Orange, White-Green/Green, and White-Brown/Brown. Custom SmartWire jacket and stripe colors can be arranged to standardize your installations—contact Windy City Wire for details.

• Are these SmartWire Outdoor CAT 6 Cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  They use solid bare copper conductors for optimal outdoor direct-burial CAT 6 performance. Stranded variants are typically used for patching and are not part of this outdoor direct-burial category.

• What lengths are these SmartWire Outdoor CAT 6 Cables sold in?

  At Windy City Wire we manufacture and stock SmartWire Outdoor CAT 6 cable in 1,000 ft lengths as our standard. SmartWire is Windy City Wire’s brand of U.S.-made low-voltage cable, and all stock SmartWire cables include SmartWire Glide lubrication applied to the jacket to reduce pull friction by up to 70%.

• How is your SmartWire low-voltage Outdoor wire cables sold on spools or in boxes?

  Our SmartWire Outdoor wire is packaged in our patented RackPack carton. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

• What are the main differences between RG59 and RG6 cables?

  RG59 typically has a smaller center conductor and lighter shielding, making it best for shorter runs and lower-frequency applications (e.g., legacy analog CCTV). RG6 uses a thicker 18 AWG center conductor with heavier shielding (often dual or quad), delivering lower signal loss and higher bandwidth for longer runs and higher-frequency services like HD video, CATV, and satellite. In short: RG6 = lower attenuation and better high-frequency performance; RG59 = acceptable for short, low-frequency runs.

• What are some distinctions between BAC NET, RS232 and RS485 Cables?

  BACnet is an application-layer building automation protocol, not a physical layer. It commonly runs over RS485 (BACnet MS/TP) using a 120-ohm balanced twisted pair, or over Ethernet/IP using Category cabling. RS232 is a single-ended, point-to-point serial interface (short distances, typically up to about 15 m), requiring only a few conductors and offering limited noise immunity. RS485 is a differential, balanced serial bus that supports multi-drop networks, long distances (hundreds to thousands of feet), and strong noise immunity with a 120-ohm twisted pair (shielding often recommended in noisy environments).

Additional Links:

• Learn more about our SmartWire Cable
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• Our Transporters - RackPack Transportation Devices
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