Rhino Guard CAT6 U/UTP Outdoor Cable, 100m, 23 AWG PE Jacket ITM005531

Introduction to the Rhino Guard CAT6 U/UTP Outdoor Cable

Rhino Guard CAT6 U/UTP-PE — 100 metre outdoor network cable (ITM005531)is a purpose-built Category 6 cable supplied on a 100 m dispensing box for external network installations. Designed with four solid 23 AWG conductor pairs and a central cross (skeleton), this cable helps reduce pair-to-pair crosstalk and maintain signal integrity over typical Ethernet distances. The polyethylene (PE) outer jacket is specified as outdoor and UV resistant, making the cable suitable for exposed external runs where weather and sunlight are considerations.

Key features at a glance

• Category: CAT6 U/UTP (unshielded twisted pair)
• Conductors: 4 pairs, solid 23 AWG
• Length: 100 m reel/box (SKU ITM005531)
• Jacket: PE (polyethylene), outdoor/UV resistant, outer colour: black
• Construction: central cross (skeleton) to reduce crosstalk
• Intended environment: external / outdoor network runs

Detailed specifications and benefits

The Rhino Guard CAT6 Outdoor Cable combines common Category 6 construction elements with materials tailored for outdoor exposure. Below are the most relevant technical points and the practical benefits they deliver.

This cable uses four solid conductor pairs made from 23 AWG wire. Solid conductors are preferred for permanent, fixed installations because they provide stable electrical characteristics and reliable termination in wall jacks or punch-down blocks. The 23 AWG gauge is typical for Category 6 cables, supporting gigabit Ethernet and common PoE implementations with acceptable voltage drop over typical run lengths.

A built-in central cross (sometimes called a skeleton) separates the twisted pairs, which reduces pair-to-pair crosstalk and helps preserve signal quality. While precise performance metrics (such as insertion loss, return loss, NEXT, and PSNEXT) are not published on the supplier page, the central cross is a recognized physical enhancement that benefits near-end and far-end crosstalk characteristics compared with simple untwisted cores.

The polyethylene (PE) jacket is described as outdoor and UV resistant. PE is commonly used for outdoor cabling because it withstands sunlight, moisture, and general weathering better than PVC. A black outer jacket also helps with UV resistance and reduces visible dirt—typical attributes desired for exposed external runs.

• Frequency / bandwidth, impedance tolerance, DC resistance, capacitance and flame/fire rating are listed as "INSUFFICIENT DATA" on the supplier page. These parameters determine guaranteed performance for high-frequency applications, long-distance PoE deployments, and compliance with building codes for concealed installations.
• If your project requires detailed electrical tolerances, UL listing, or a fire performance class (e.g., CPR / Euroclass), you should request the official Rhino Guard technical datasheet before purchase.

Use cases and scenarios where this cable excels

The Rhino Guard CAT6 U/UTP outdoor cable is designed for outdoor network infrastructure where a durable, weather-resistant cable is required. Typical deployments include:

• External building-to-building links: short to medium external runs between adjacent buildings on a campus or small business premises.
• Exterior CCTV camera connections: fixed, permanent runs to IP cameras where solid conductors and outdoor sheathing are preferred.
• Wi-Fi access point feeds: outdoor or sheltered APs where a permanent cable route is pulled along walls or under eaves.
• External PoE device feeds: powering and networking devices such as outdoor lighting controllers, sensors, or remote network hardware (verify PoE power loss over run length against your device requirements).
• Temporary site networks: construction, events, or temporary outdoor deployments that demand ruggedized cable on a reel for easier handling.

Note: For internal concealed installations or runs inside ducts where fire performance may be regulated, this PE-jacketed cable may not meet local fire-safety requirements. Always check local wiring regulations (for example BS 7671 in the UK) and use a cable with the required fire rating for indoor concealed applications.

Comparisons with similar products in the market

When choosing an outdoor network cable, users typically compare unshielded outdoor CAT6 against several alternatives. Below are practical comparisons to help position the Rhino Guard offering.

Shielded cables include foil and/or braid around pairs or the whole bundle to protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI). Shielded options are beneficial where nearby electrical equipment or heavy EMI is present (e.g., near large motors, radio transmitters, or industrial sites). The Rhino Guard unshielded option (U/UTP) is lighter and typically less expensive. For most residential, campus, and light commercial outdoor runs where EMI is not extreme, U/UTP is adequate. If you are worried about interference or long runs parallel to power cabling, consider a shielded alternative.

Cat6a provides higher guaranteed bandwidth (500 MHz vs commonly 250 MHz for Cat6) and better alien crosstalk performance, which is useful for future-proofing or 10GBASE-T over shorter distances. Rhino Guard’s Cat6 outdoor cable is a cost-effective solution for gigabit Ethernet and many PoE scenarios. If you need 10 Gbps performance at longer runs or stricter alien crosstalk limits, a Cat6a outdoor-rated cable is the better choice—at a higher cost and often larger diameter.

Some outdoor cables include a steel messenger wire for aerial installation or a strengthened armored jacket for rodent protection and burial. Rhino Guard’s offering focuses on an outdoor PE jacket rather than integrated mechanical reinforcement. If you plan aerial deployment between poles, direct burial, or expect rodent exposure, select a cable with the appropriate mechanical features or add mechanical support (conduit, messenger guy, or armoured variant) during installation.

Pricing and value

With a suggested price of 35.56 (cost price 29.87), the Rhino Guard CAT6 outdoor cable sits in the budget-to-mid-range segment of outdoor network cabling. For many projects the combination of solid 23 AWG conductors, central cross construction, and a UV-resistant PE jacket provides a solid value—especially when high-end electrical tolerances are not mission-critical. If you require documented performance metrics or fire ratings, factor in the potential need to request further documentation or consider a certified alternative.

Customer testimonials and reviews

No verified customer reviews were available on the supplier page at the time of writing. If you rely on peer feedback, consider requesting references from the supplier or checking reseller marketplaces and forums for user experiences with SKU ITM005531.

For guidance, here are a few typical types of feedback customers often report for similar outdoor CAT6 products (illustrative):

• "Good value for outdoor runs—robust jacket and easy to pull along eaves. Terminated cleanly on outdoor-rated jacks."
• "No surprises for standard gigabit links. If you need 10G, look at Cat6a, but for CCTV and PoE it does the job."
• "Would prefer printed electrical specs up front—had to contact supplier for datasheet when planning long PoE runs."

Conclusion: Why choose Rhino Guard CAT6 U/UTP-PE (ITM005531)

The Rhino Guard CAT6 U/UTP outdoor cable is a practical, budget-conscious choice for external network installations where a durable, UV-resistant PE jacket and solid 23 AWG conductors are required. Its central cross construction helps reduce crosstalk and supports reliable gigabit performance across typical distances. It is well suited to external CCTV, building-to-building links, outdoor Wi-Fi feeds, and general-purpose outdoor networking where armored or messenger-equipped cable is not necessary.

Before purchasing for regulated or concealed internal installations, or when you need precise electrical tolerances, request the Rhino Guard technical datasheet to confirm impedance, frequency/bandwidth, DC resistance, capacitance, and fire rating. Doing so ensures the cable meets both performance and code requirements for your project.

Overall, for straightforward outdoor Ethernet runs where weather resistance, stable solid conductors, and good value are priorities, the Rhino Guard CAT6 U/UTP-PE 100 m reel (ITM005531) is a strong contender worth considering.