FTP Cable

FTP network cable for shielded Ethernet systems

The common characteristic of the FTP cables in this category is foil shielding. These products can be used for structured cabling and custom-length network cable runs. All three versions are supplied in 305 m packaging units. The CAT5e and CAT6 products are specified as 1 Gbps network cables, but their conductor materials, jacket constructions and attenuation values differ.

• Amiko CAT5e FTP: foil-shielded cable with bare solid copper conductors.
• Amiko CAT5e FTP PE: outdoor cable with aluminium foil shielding and CCA conductors.
• Amiko CAT6 FTP: foil-shielded cable with an aluminium core and a thin copper coating, referred to as a CCA conductor.

Before selecting a cable, the requirements of the complete connection should be defined because the category designation alone does not replace verification of the specific technical product data.

What does the foil shielding of an FTP cable mean?

In this product category, the FTP designation refers to network cables with foil shielding. The outdoor CAT5e version uses aluminium foil shielding, while the other two products are described as foil-shielded cables. The shielding, twisted pairs, cable category and connector system together form the complete network connection.

Category 5 cables are commonly terminated with an 8P8C modular connector, often referred to as an RJ45 connector. Wiring can follow either the T568A or T568B sequence. The same wiring sequence must be used at both ends of a cable run. For shielded cables, the technical construction of the selected connector and the associated network components must also be checked separately.

Differences between CAT5e and CAT6 FTP cables

The nominal frequency range of CAT5e is 100 MHz. CAT6 has defined performance characteristics up to 250 MHz and specifies stricter crosstalk and system noise requirements than CAT5 and CAT5e. CAT6 is backward compatible with CAT5 and CAT5e cabling. A common application of CAT5e is 1000BASE-T, also known as Gigabit Ethernet.

The general maximum channel length for copper-based Ethernet cabling is 100 m. This can include 90 m of permanent solid-conductor cabling, two connections and two stranded patch cables with a maximum length of 5 m each. For CAT6, the maximum channel length for 10GBASE-T is 55 m, while the category can be used for a 100 m channel with a 1 Gbps connection.

Solid copper conductor or CCA conductor?

The product range contains two conductor constructions. The CAT5e FTP version uses bare solid copper conductors. The outdoor CAT5e and CAT6 FTP cables use CCA conductors. CCA construction consists of an aluminium core with a thin copper coating. The conductor material can therefore be identified before ordering and considered when selecting the cable route, connectors, load parameters and installation conditions.

The outdoor CAT5e CCA cable has four twisted pairs with a conductor diameter of 0.51 mm and a tolerance of 0.01 mm. Its conductor resistance is no more than 65 Ohm over 100 m at 20 degrees Celsius. Its current rating is 0.5 A, its rated voltage is no more than 30 V, and its operating temperature is specified up to 75 degrees Celsius.

Selecting an indoor or outdoor FTP network cable

The CAT5e FTP cable specified for outdoor installation has a PE jacket. The other CAT5e cable and the CAT6 product list PVC, PE or LSZH jacket options compliant with RoHS and REACH requirements. The installation location and the exact product version must be compared when selecting the jacket material because the category contains several possible jacket constructions.

The solid copper CAT5e cable and the CAT6 FTP cable have an installation temperature range of -30 to +50 degrees Celsius and a minimum bending radius of 4D, meaning four times the outer cable diameter. Temperature values of 60 and 75 degrees Celsius are specified for both products. The outdoor CAT5e version has a separate operating temperature value of up to 75 degrees Celsius.

Which technical data should be checked before installation?

In addition to the cable category, attenuation, conductor material, jacket, temperature and mechanical data determine whether a product meets the requirements of the planned cable route. The solid copper CAT5e cable has an attenuation of 9.3 dB/100 m at 20 MHz, 22 dB/100 m at 100 MHz, 32.4 dB/100 m at 200 MHz and 44.9 dB/100 m at 350 MHz.

The CAT6 CCA cable has an attenuation of 9.5 dB/100 m at 25 MHz, 19.8 dB/100 m at 100 MHz, 36.4 dB/100 m at 300 MHz and 51.8 dB/100 m at 550 MHz. Compliance with ANSI/TIA-568-B.2 and ISO/IEC 11901 is specified for the solid copper CAT5e and CAT6 CCA products. Before installation, the categories of the connectors, outlets, patch panels and active network devices should also be compared with the cable specifications.

Advantages and limitations of FTP cables

The product range provides different technical constructions for several installation requirements, but the specifications of the individual versions are not interchangeable.

• Advantage: CAT5e and CAT6 cable categories are both available.
• Advantage: solid copper and CCA conductor versions are included in the range.
• Advantage: a separate outdoor CAT5e version is available with a PE jacket.
• Limitation: conductor material, jacket, attenuation and temperature data differ by product.
• Limitation: the 305 m roll length is not the same as the permitted maximum Ethernet channel length.

We recommend defining the required category, cable route length, indoor or outdoor installation, conductor material, jacket type and connector system requirements before selecting the cable.

Frequently asked questions about FTP network cables

• What roll length is available for the FTP cables?
  All three Amiko FTP network cables are supplied in 305 m packaging units.
• What is the difference between CAT5e and CAT6?
  CAT5e has a nominal frequency range of 100 MHz, while CAT6 is specified up to 250 MHz and defines stricter crosstalk and system noise requirements.
• Which FTP cable is intended for outdoor installation?
  The Amiko CAT5e FTP version with a PE jacket is specifically listed for outdoor use.
• Do all cables use solid copper conductors?
  No. One CAT5e version uses solid copper conductors, while the outdoor CAT5e and CAT6 cables use CCA conductors.
• What is the minimum bending radius?
  For the solid copper CAT5e and CAT6 FTP cables, it is 4D, meaning four times the outer cable diameter.
• Can the entire 305 m roll be used as one Ethernet channel?
  No. The roll length is the packaging unit, while the general maximum channel length for copper-based Ethernet cabling is 100 m.

Summary

The selection of an FTP network cable should be based on the CAT5e or CAT6 category, foil shielding, solid copper or CCA conductor, indoor or outdoor jacket, attenuation values and installation conditions. The current range contains three Amiko cables supplied in 305 m rolls: a solid copper CAT5e cable, an outdoor CAT5e CCA cable with a PE jacket, and a CAT6 CCA cable.