Side-by-Side Comparison
Ethernet Cables
Cat 6 vs. Cat 6A
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 11 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Cat 6
Cat 6A
Category 6 (Cat 6) is a twisted-pair Ethernet cable standard defined in ANSI/TIA-568-B.2-1. Rated up to 250 MHz, it supports 1 Gbps at 100 meters and 10 Gbps (10GBASE-T) up to 55 meters in low-crosstalk environments, featuring tighter pair twists and a central longitudinal spline separator.
Category 6a (Cat 6a, Augmented) is a standardized twisted-pair cable defined in ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 and ISO/IEC 11801 Class E_A. Operating at frequencies up to 500 MHz, it is the primary standard for 10GBASE-T (10 Gbps) across the full 100-meter channel distance, featuring strict Alien Crosstalk (ANEXT) suppression.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Frequency Bandwidth
|
250 MHz | 500 MHz |
|
Max Channel Length (10 Gbps)
|
55 m | 100 m |
|
Wire Gauge (Typical)
|
23–24 AWG | 23 AWG |
|
Standard Connector
|
8P8C (RJ45) | 8P8C (RJ45) |
|
Channel Classification
|
ISO/IEC 11801 Class E | ISO/IEC 11801 Class E_A |
|
Max Data Rate (at 100m)
|
1 Gbps | — |
|
Max Multi-Gig Rate (at 100m)
|
5 Gbps | — |
|
Max Data Rate (at 55m)
|
10 Gbps | — |
|
Internal Spline Separator
|
Yes | — |
|
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
|
— | 10 Gbps |
|
Alien Crosstalk (ANEXT) Specification
|
— | Mandatory |
|
Common Shielding
|
— | F/UTP, U/FTP, or U/UTP with thick jacket |