Introduction to the SFX Cat6A F/FTP Shielded Network Cable
The SFX Cat6A F/FTP Shielded Network Cable (ITM003209) is a professional-grade bulk Ethernet cable supplied on a 305 m reel. With a blue LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) outer jacket and F/FTP shielding (overall foil plus individually shielded pairs), this cable is designed to deliver reliable 10 Gbps performance across standard 100 m channels while offering enhanced protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI). Supplied in bulk for on-site termination, it suits installations where both high-speed performance and fire-safety considerations are required.
Key Features at a Glance
- Category / Performance:Cat6A (Class EA) – supports 10 Gbps Ethernet over 100 m.
- Shielding:F/FTP — overall foil jacket plus foil around each pair for superior EMI immunity.
- Jacket:LSZH — low smoke and zero halogen emissions in the event of a fire.
- Format:305 m bulk reel — ideal for structured cabling projects and on-site termination.
- Colour:Blue outer jacket for easy identification in multi-cable environments.
- Commercial:Cost price: 222.46 (unit), Suggested RRP: 265.03 (recommended retail price).
Detailed Specifications and Benefits
The SFX Cat6A F/FTP cable is engineered to meet the requirements of modern enterprise, commercial and AV networks. Key specification highlights and benefits include:
- Cat6A / Class EA performance:Designed to support 10GBASE-T and other 10 Gbps applications across standard 100 m channels, delivering the bandwidth modern applications demand, from virtualization to high-resolution video streaming.
- F/FTP Shielding:The overall foil (F) combined with individually shielded pairs (FTP) dramatically improves immunity to EMI and crosstalk. This shielding is particularly valuable near electrical equipment, long cable runs, or dense cable bundles where unshielded cables may suffer performance degradation.
- LSZH Jacket:Low Smoke Zero Halogen jacketing reduces the quantity of toxic gases and smoke released during a fire, improving occupant safety in confined or public spaces — a common requirement in commercial buildings, transport hubs, hospitals and schools.
- 305 m Bulk Reel:Bulk cable on a reel reduces per-link cost and waste when terminating on site, letting installers cut exact lengths for patching, trunking or bespoke runs. It’s the standard format for structured cabling projects.
- Colour Coding:The blue jacket enables straightforward identification in mixed-cable installations, simplifying documentation and future maintenance.
- Installation and Testing:As with all shielded cabling, correct termination and grounding practices are critical to realise the shielding benefits. Use shielded RJ45 jacks, suitable connectors, and ensure continuous shield continuity to equipment earth. Post-installation certification testing (OTDR/Channel testers) is recommended to confirm performance.
Note on missing parameters:Certain electrical and mechanical details — such as conductor AWG, conductor material, attenuation curves, NEXT/PSNEXT figures, return loss, CPR reaction-to-fire class and manufacturer approvals (CE/UKCA) — are marked as INSufficient DATA in the summary. For full compliance and design decisions, refer to the official SFX datasheet for ITM003209.
Use Cases and Ideal Scenarios
The SFX Cat6A F/FTP cable shines in environments where both high data rates and robust interference protection are essential. Typical and recommended use cases include:
- Enterprise and Commercial Networks:Horizontal and backbone structured cabling in offices, campuses and commercial buildings where 10 Gbps links and predictable performance are required.
- Data Centers and Server Rooms:Short-run 10GBASE-T links inside racks and between nearby cabinets where shielding helps reduce cross-talk and EMI from power infrastructure.
- AV, Broadcast and CCTV Installations:Facilities carrying high-bandwidth video streams, PoE cameras, and AV signals benefit from the cable’s noise immunity and LSZH properties, especially in public or enclosed spaces.
- PoE Deployments:The cable is suitable for Power over Ethernet applications (PoE/PoE+) provided installation follows thermal and current-carrying guidance; bulk runs allow efficient routing to many powered devices.
- Industrial / Electromagnetically Noisy Areas:Locations near motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs) or heavy machinery where unshielded cables would be at higher risk of interference.
How This Cable Compares with Similar Products
Choosing the right Ethernet cable depends on the environment, budget and performance needs. Here’s how the SFX Cat6A F/FTP compares to common alternatives:
- Versus Cat6 unshielded (U/UTP):Unshielded Cat6 is cheaper and easier to terminate but is more susceptible to EMI and may not reliably support 10 Gbps across long runs in noisy environments. The SFX Cat6A F/FTP provides better headroom for 10 Gbps and superior EMI protection at a modest premium.
- Versus Cat6A U/UTP (unshielded Cat6A):Unshielded Cat6A can meet 10 Gbps needs in many office environments, but when cables pass through electrically noisy areas or are bundled tightly, the shielded F/FTP option provides improved, more consistent performance.
- Versus S/FTP or S/UTP variants:Some Cat6A cables use braid shields or different shielding schemes (S/FTP, S/UTP). F/FTP offers a good balance of pair-level shielding and an overall foil which is effective and usually more flexible than heavy braid shields that can be harder to terminate.
- Versus Cat7/Cat7A:Cat7/Cat7A standards introduce higher-frequency specifications and typically more robust shielding but can require non-standard connectors and are often overkill for typical 10GBASE-T deployments. Cat6A F/FTP hits the common sweet spot for 10 Gbps Ethernet with standard RJ45 connectivity (when used with shielded RJ45 components).
- Bulk Reel vs Pre-terminated Cables:Bulk cable reels like this product are cost-effective for structured cabling where on-site termination is needed. Pre-terminated patch cords save installation time and guarantee connectors but at a higher per-link cost and less flexibility for custom runs.
Installation Considerations and Best Practices
- Always use shielded connectors and patch panels rated for F/FTP cable to maintain the shield integrity from cable to jack.
- Terminate and ground shields properly; a continuous, low-impedance earth connection is essential for the shield to perform its function.
- Avoid excessive bending, kinking or crushing of the cable; keep within the bend radius specified in the official datasheet.
- Respect maximum channel length limits (typically 100 m for 10GBASE-T). Use certified testers to validate NEXT, return loss and overall channel performance after installation.
- Confirm CPR / reaction-to-fire classification and local regulatory compliance for the intended installation environment before use.
Customer Testimonials and Feedback
As of the latest product information, verified customer reviews specific to ITM003209 are not available in the supplied data. However, based on common installer feedback for Cat6A F/FTP LSZH bulk cables, representative comments from professional installers and project managers typically include:
- "Shielded Cat6A saved us on a retrofit near heavy electrical equipment — the links were far more reliable than the previous unshielded runs."
- "The LSZH jacket is a must for public buildings; clients insist on it for peace of mind and compliance."
- "Bulk reels are economical for large builds — less waste and faster deployment once termination teams are set up."
These reflections are illustrative of general market sentiment toward similar shielded Cat6A LSZH products and should not be taken as direct, verified testimonials for the exact SKU without checking live reviews or vendor feedback.
Conclusion: Why Choose the SFX Cat6A F/FTP 305 m LSZH Cable?
The SFX Cat6A F/FTP 305 m LSZH cable offers a balanced combination of performance, safety and installation flexibility. For installers and network designers requiring robust 10 Gbps performance with enhanced EMI protection and reduced fire-toxicity risks, this cable is a compelling choice. Its bulk-reel format keeps costs down on large projects, while the blue LSZH jacket aids cable management and compliance considerations in public or indoor spaces.
Before final selection, confirm detailed electrical and regulatory parameters (AWG, conductor material, CPR class, CE/UKCA markings, attenuation and NEXT figures) on the official SFX datasheet for ITM003209 and ensure installation follows local standards. With correct termination and grounding, the SFX Cat6A F/FTP cable is well suited to meet the demands of modern enterprise, AV and security networks seeking dependable 10 Gbps links in challenging environments.
SFX Cat6A F/FTP 305m LSZH Shielded Cable — SKU: ITM003209. Cost price: 222.46. Suggested RRP: 265.03.
