Cat6 / Cat6a Bulk

crg28 said:

Guys, starting wiring my new build. I will be running Cat in wall from AVcloset to several components. Longest run is about 60' to the Gigabit Switch. I will need about 300' of Cable to run inside walls/Soffit/attic as needed. I will have speaker wires (12 ga) running nearby in the same directions.

What you guys using for Bulk CAT Cable? These will all be used with RJ45 for ethernet connections.

Solid vs Stranded? Shielded? Cat6 or 6a?

Please advise

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I used solid core CAT-6 to extend ethernet connections (punch down keystone jacks) to hard wire my HTS's and satellite Mesh WiFi system. Sewell product # SW-30625. My runs are close to, if not a bit over 100'. No issues at all.

I used the stranded version, as I make patch cables with it as well.


I prefer monoprice for 90% of all my cables.
Monoprice Cat6 Ethernet Bulk Cable - Stranded, 550Mhz, UTP, CM, Pure Bare Copper Wire, 24AWG, 1000ft, Blue

Same as above. Got to be around 10000' of it so far.

Solid Core - This cable should only by used from a patch panel to a data jack. It is designed to run in a wall or conduit and not be subjected to repeat movement
Stranded - This cable is used for plugging directly into devices and designed to handle movement and repeat bending

Most data installers run solid core from the data rack to the wall face plate, then use stranded patch panels on each end to connect devices

Shielded cable is only required when running data near high voltage. I've only seen it make a difference in industrial facilities that use a lot of 480V. Shielded cable also has minimal value unless its grounded at each end using special jacks and patch panels.

At home I've had good luck with just about any CAT 6 cable since the runs are short. At work, a quality CAT 6 cable shows it's value when exceeding 300ft for the odd scenarios when you don't have a network rack near by.

Hope this helps.