Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cat6 is the most common category 6 data cable. Despite the name, it offers superior data transmission, signal integrity and resistance to RF/EMI due to its tightly wound twisted pair configuration. Shielded (STP) CAT6 cable is used in special applications. Cat6E is a designation used by some manufacturers to show that the cable far surpasses the cat6 requirements. Augmented Cat6A however is a standard, Cat6A cable supports 10G (10xGigabit) ethernet over copper.
When Cat5E or Cat6 is specified, use Cat6E for future-proofing at a very low price differential. Cat6A is the most advanced cable reserved for very high performance requirements over copper. Cat6A cable is usually 50% thicker than a typical Cat6 cable.
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