CAT6 cable - is this stuff ok?

champ222 · 2 Mar 2026 at 11:56

Hi All

Running some CAT6, looking for a quick spec check, want to confirm its a good brand. Is Copper and not CCA and low smoke stuff is probably a good idea: (since OCUK dont sell boxed cables, i assume these links are ok) 305M boxes

https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/cat6-cable/13839-ccs-cat6-utp-cable.html

or

https://www.kenable.co.uk/networkin...w-smoke-lsoh-euroclass-dca-305m-violet-011610

It would be handy if it was a colour other that Violet, but i'll manage if need be. Ive got to run it all alongside some existing cabling, which is violet, then remove the old stuff once this is in place so it would be easier to see the new stuff against the existing Violet stuff. so maybe this?

https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/36407-excel-100-075/specifications/#content

Thanks guys

brendy · 2 Mar 2026 at 12:22

I've used cable monkey a good few times in the past and never received bad quality cables so would have no problem using the Connectix stuff, its pure copper cored rather than cheaper coated alu stuff which doesnt age well.

Armageus · 2 Mar 2026 at 12:29

I've use Cablemonkey's Connectix Cable, Kenable's own brand and Excel - all are absolutely fine.

Depending on your use case have you considered Cat5e, as Excel offer it in different Colours?

Excel Copper Cat5e Network Cable U/UTP Low Smoke LSOH Euroclass Dca 305m Yellow

Kenable | Trusted since 2002 | UKs biggest selection of computer cables, network, audio, video & power products | Buy Online

www.kenable.co.uk

kaku · 2 Mar 2026 at 14:27

The Kenable one I used to do the ethernet runs in my house. Have had no problems and seems good quality. I'd expect both you've linked are solid choices.

pepp77 · 2 Mar 2026 at 14:52

I work for a telecoms company and this is the cable we use - https://documents.excel-networking.com/datasheets/100-080 - we get it from Mayflex

champ222 · 2 Mar 2026 at 15:16

pepp77 said:
I work for a telecoms company and this is the cable we use - https://documents.excel-networking.com/datasheets/100-080 - we get it from Mayflex

Hi, does the 24AWG cause any issues with CAT6 punchdowns which presumably are expecting 23AWG cable, which is a bit thicker?

pepp77 · 2 Mar 2026 at 15:17

champ222 said:
Hi, does the 24AWG cause any issues with CAT6 punchdowns which presumably are expecting 23AWG cable, which is a bit thicker?

I'm a PM rather than a site engineer, but no issues have been reported with its use. I know that the cabling contractors at my old place also favoured Excel cable.

champ222 · 2 Mar 2026 at 15:18

this looks pretty good to me:

Orange Connectix Cat6 UTP LSZH B2ca-s1a,d0,a1 Solid Cable 305m (001-003-005-68)

This Cat6 unshielded cable from Connectix features an orange low smoke zero halogen outer sheath and conforms to CPR B2ca-s1a,d0,a1 standards. This makes it a great choice for installs in public buildings such as schools and hospitals. This cable meets all standards for Category 6 cable and is...

cableintelligence.co.uk

b2ca seems to be a pretty good fire spread rating, which while overkill in our office i'm sure, cant be a bad thing

Glanza · 2 Mar 2026 at 15:21

Excel is our go to for cabling jobs, not had any complaints of issues from installers.

champ222 · 2 Mar 2026 at 16:20

Excel cable ordered.

Thanks guys

Suave · 2 Mar 2026 at 19:00

Hi All,

I hope it is OK to ask her since this thread is about Cat 6 cables - if not, I apologise & will delete the thread if needed. I just joined the forums as a Complete noob but I was given some Excel Cat6a Cable that I ran to other areas of the house & still need some to run. I have almost zero networking/tech knowledge or ability - to me, a cable is pretty much a cable. Not the best at DIY either but through trial & error with a bit of patience, I can get there.

1) The first & really challenging thing for me with this Excel Cat6a Cable (Shielded) is that there are no striped colours - only all solid colours & all white. This makes it incredibly difficult for me not to lose track of which colour its paired white wire is married to as they get mixed up when I try to straighten them & try to insert into an RJ45 Connector - tried till I was blue in the face. I then bought permanent markers (2 different brands) & applied the same colour on one side of the white wires so I can ensure I pair it with the right colour & thought that would solve my issues but sadly, even the permanent colour pens do not work, despite allowing to dry for well over a day, the inks just does not adhere to the white wires & rubs off really easily.

Does anyone know of an easy way not to get the white wires messed up for a novice please?

2) I have bought & tried so many different types RJ45 connectors that clearly stated they were for Cat6/6a or Cat7 but none of them seem to work - must have tried about 5 different types now - when the 8 wires are aligned together in the T568B sequence, the are just too wide to fit into the connectors no matter what I try.

Watched tons of YouTube videos but despite getting the same sort of connectors (if not identical) nothing works.

May I ask, what do you guys do to get Cat6a inside the connectors without messing things up? Is there some easy professional way? I have run the cables inside walls & under floors so I nw am stuck with having to terminate them.

Many Thanks!

Armageus · 2 Mar 2026 at 21:13

Suave said:
May I ask, what do you guys do to get Cat6a inside the connectors without messing things up?

You don't.

1. Assuming it's solid core cabling then it's intended for fixed termination via patch panels or euromod faceplates.

2. Shielded cables generally need the appropriate matching shielded termination points, otherwise the shielding is useless (and in certain cases the shielding acts as an aerial and picks up interference rather than rejecting it). In 95% of installs Shielded cables are unnecessary.

3. Cat6A is a pain in the backside anyway and offers no advantage in a home environment over Cat6 (and in most cases Cat5e) - both of which are easier to terminate

Suave · 3 Mar 2026 at 16:46

Armageus said:
You don't.

1. Assuming it's solid core cabling then it's intended for fixed termination via patch panels or euromod faceplates.

2. Shielded cables generally need the appropriate matching shielded termination points, otherwise the shielding is useless (and in certain cases the shielding acts as an aerial and picks up interference rather than rejecting it). In 95% of installs Shielded cables are unnecessary.

3. Cat6A is a pain in the backside anyway and offers no advantage in a home environment over Cat6 (and in most cases Cat5e) - both of which are easier to terminate

Hi!

Thanks most kindly for the input - much appreciated!

I did not know that Cat6a was not mean't for RJ45 connectors - just saw loads of them on sale online that claimed to work with Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7 etc.

My friend gave me a whole bunch of this cable & yes it is solid core - which I have now routed under floors, in lofts & down to rooms, behind walls so it will be staying there - nothing I can do. I will use wall plates then to connect the cable to & then use Cat6 cables to any devices.

I agree with you (as a noob & novice) Cat6a is horrible to work with in a domestic setting - tbh, I hate it - too thick, difficult to bend, hard to get into back boxes & no striped cables - why on earth did they do that - it makes no sense to me that even the cheapest of cable has striped colours to ensure correct wiring but this much more expensive, higher quality Cat6a cable does not?

Thanks kindly!