Cat 6A
Ethernet Cables · 8 specs
Direct Answer
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.
Source: ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 (2009) / ISO/IEC 11801 Class E_A · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Frequency Bandwidth | 500 MHz |
| Max Bandwidth / Data Rate | 10 Gbps |
| Max Channel Length (10 Gbps) | 100 m |
| Alien Crosstalk (ANEXT) Specification | Mandatory |
| Wire Gauge (Typical) | 23 AWG |
| Standard Connector | 8P8C (RJ45) |
| Common Shielding | F/UTP, U/FTP, or U/UTP with thick jacket |
| Channel Classification | ISO/IEC 11801 Class E_A |
Full 100m 10GBASE-T Transmission
Cat 6a was created specifically to overcome Cat 6's 55-meter distance limitation for 10 Gigabit Ethernet. By doubling the operating bandwidth to 500 MHz and enforcing rigorous Power Sum Alien Near-End Crosstalk (PS-ANEXT) and Power Sum Alien Attenuation-to-Crosstalk Ratio Far-End (PS-AACRF) requirements, Cat 6a guarantees 10 Gbps throughput across a full 100-meter (328 ft) 4-connector channel.
Shielding and Cable Dimensions
To combat alien crosstalk between adjacent bundled cables, Cat 6a cables are significantly thicker and stiffer than Cat 6, often using individual foil wraps (F/UTP or U/FTP) or specialized airy outer jackets in unshielded (U/UTP) variants. Shielded Cat 6a requires shielded RJ45 modular jacks and proper chassis grounding to eliminate external electromagnetic interference (EMI).