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Ethernet Cable


- Use For:
Unshielded: Data; Category 3 can also be used for Telephones
Shielded, Double Shielded: Data, Interference Shielding - Flexible
- Insulation:
Outer: PVC Plastic
Inner: See table
Send data between computers, printers, servers, and switches. Ethernet category standards describe the cable’s performance capabilities. Higher category numbers mean faster speeds, superior data transfer, and better signal strength. Category cables are backward compatible, so you can mix and match, but your speed will only be as fast as the lowest-rated cable.
Unshielded cable is the choice for day-to-day wiring, such as connecting your desktop computer to an ethernet port.
Shielded cable has a layer of foil that blocks signal interference from nearby equipment, such as variable frequency drives or small motors. It has an uninsulated ground wire that is not counted in the number of wires.
CM and CMR cable prevent the spread of flames down the length of the cable. CMR is more flame resistant than CM cable.
Inner Insulation | Per Ft. | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ethernet Cable Category | Transmission Frequency | Wire Ga. | No. of Wires | Cable AWG | Max. Temp., °F | OD | Industry Designation | Material | Color | Choose an Outer Insulation Color | Length, ft. | 1-499 | 500-Up | |
Unshielded Solid Wire | ||||||||||||||
3 | 16 MHz | 24 | 8 | 24/8 | 140° | 0.16" | CMR | PVC Plastic | Blue Blue/White Brown Brown/White Green Green/White Orange Orange/White | Gray | 000000 | 00000 | 00000 | |
5E | 100 MHz | 24 | 8 | 24/8 | 165° | 0.21" | CM | Polyolefin Plastic | Blue Blue/White Brown Brown/White Green Green/White Orange Orange/White | 0000000 | 000 | 000 | ||
6 | 100 MHz | 23 | 8 | 23/8 | 165° | 0.22" | CMR | Polyolefin Plastic | Blue Blue/White Brown Brown/White Green Green/White Orange Orange/White | 0000000 | 000 | 000 | ||
Shielded Solid Wire with Uninsulated Ground Wire | ||||||||||||||
6 | 250 MHz | 23 | 8 | 23/8 | 140° | 0.29" | CMR | Polyolefin Plastic | Blue Blue/White Brown Brown/White Green Green/White Orange Orange/White | 000000 | 000 | 000 | ||
Shielded Stranded Wire with Uninsulated Ground Wire | ||||||||||||||
5E | 100 MHz | 26 | 8 | 26/8 | 140° | 0.22" | CM | Polyethylene Plastic | Blue Blue/White Brown Brown/White Green Green/White Orange Orange/White | White | 0000000 | 000 | 000 |
Duct-Rated Ethernet Cable


- Use For:
Unshielded: Data
Shielded: Data, Interference Shielding - Flexible
- Insulation:
Outer: PVC Plastic
Inner: See table
Also known as plenum cable, this CMP cable has flame-resistant, low-smoke insulation and can be used without conduit in duct work and above a drop ceiling. Use it to send data between computers, printers, servers, and switches in an office. It’s backward compatible so it works in networks that meet the same or a lower category. Choose cable with a higher ethernet cable category for a clearer signal.
Use unshielded cable in applications where signal interference is not a concern.
Shielded cable has a layer of foil that blocks signal interference from nearby equipment and devices. It has an uninsulated ground wire that is not counted in the number of wires.
Per Ft. | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ethernet Cable Category | Transmission Frequency | Wire Ga. | No. of Wires | Cable AWG | Max. Temp., °F | OD | Inner Insulation Material | Inner Insulation Color | Features | Choose an Outer Insulation Color | Length, ft. | 1-499 | 500-Up | |
Unshielded Solid Wire | ||||||||||||||
5E | 350 MHz | 24 | 8 | 24/8 | 165° | 0.21" | FEP/Polyolefin Plastic Blend | Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, White/Blue, White/Brown, White/Green, White/Orange | __ | 0000000 | 00000 | 00000 | ||
6 | 350 MHz | 23 | 8 | 23/8 | 165° | 0.23" | FEP/Polyolefin Plastic Blend | Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, White/Blue, White/Brown, White/Green, White/Orange | __ | 0000000 | 0000 | 000 | ||
Shielded Solid Wire | ||||||||||||||
6 | 250 MHz | 23 | 8 | 23/8 | 140° | 0.29" | FEP Plastic | Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, White/Blue, White/Brown, White/Green, White/Orange | Uninsulated Ground Wire | Gray | 000000 | 0000 | 0000 |
Fiber-Optic Cable

- Use For: Data
- Flexible
- Temperature Range: -40° to 155° F
- Insulation: Thermoplastic
Send data between data centers and workstations in fiber-optic networks. The thermoplastic outer insulation on this cable is flame retardant for safe indoor use, and resists water and UV light for outdoor use. Because it works both indoors and outdoors, there’s no need for a transition splice when routing the cable into buildings. Each inner fiber also has a layer of thermoplastic insulation to protect signals and add flexibility. This cable is non-conductive, so grounding or bonding is not required.
Single-mode cable is often used to send data between buildings. It has a small core diameter, which reduces signal loss. It transmits data over longer distances and has a higher bandwidth than multimode cable.
Multimode cable is often used to transmit data over short distances, such as within buildings and local area networks (LANs). It has a large core diameter, so it’s easier to terminate and install than single-mode cable. However, it has lower bandwidth.
OFNR cable is for use in vertical shafts and large facilities with multiple levels.
ONFP cable is for use in horizontal shafts, such as in ducts and above drop ceilings.
Fiber count refers to the number of optical fibers inside a cable. The higher the count, the more data you can send. You can branch each fiber into its own individual cable if your network demands grow in the future.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Fiber Count | Core Dia., microns | OD | Outer Insulation Color | Inner Insulation Color | For Use Outdoors | Specifications Met | 1,000 ft. | |
Single Mode OS2, OFNR | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | 8.3 | 0.22" | Black | Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, White | Yes | UL 2556 FT4 | 0000000 | |
12 | 8.3 | 0.26" | Black | Aqua, Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow | Yes | UL 2556 FT4 | 0000000 | |
24 | 8.3 | 0.31" | Black | Aqua, Aqua/Black, Black, Black/White, Blue, Blue/Black, Purple/Black, Brown, Brown/Black, Gray, Gray/Black, Green, Green/Black, Orange, Orange/Black, Pink, Pink/Black, Purple, Red, Red/Black, White, White/Black, Yellow, Yellow/Black | Yes | UL 2556 FT4 | 0000000 | |
Single Mode OS2, OFNP | ||||||||
6 | 8.3 | 0.21" | Black | Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, White | Yes | NFPA 262, Flame Rated FT6 | 0000000 | |
12 | 8.3 | 0.25" | Black | Aqua, Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow | Yes | NFPA 262, Flame Rated FT6 | 0000000 | |
24 | 8.3 | 0.31" | Black | Aqua, Aqua/Black, Black, Black/White, Blue, Blue/Black, Purple/Black, Brown, Brown/Black, Gray, Gray/Black, Green, Green/Black, Orange, Orange/Black, Pink, Pink/Black, Purple, Red, Red/Black, White, White/Black, Yellow, Yellow/Black | Yes | NFPA 262, Flame Rated FT6 | 0000000 | |
Multimode OM3, OFNR | ||||||||
6 | 50 | 0.22" | Black | Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, White | Yes | UL 2556 FT4 | 0000000 | |
12 | 50 | 0.26" | Black | Aqua, Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow | Yes | UL 2556 FT4 | 0000000 | |
24 | 50 | 0.31" | Black | Aqua, Aqua/Black, Black, Black/White, Blue, Blue/Black, Purple/Black, Brown, Brown/Black, Gray, Gray/Black, Green, Green/Black, Orange, Orange/Black, Pink, Pink/Black, Purple, Red, Red/Black, White, White/Black, Yellow, Yellow/Black | Yes | UL 2556 FT4 | 0000000 | |
Multimode OM3, OFNP | ||||||||
6 | 50 | 0.21" | Black | Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, White | Yes | NFPA 262, Flame Rated FT6 | 0000000 | |
12 | 50 | 0.25" | Black | Aqua, Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow | Yes | NFPA 262, Flame Rated FT6 | 0000000 | |
24 | 50 | 0.31" | Black | Aqua, Aqua/Black, Black, Black/White, Blue, Blue/Black, Purple/Black, Brown, Brown/Black, Gray, Gray/Black, Green, Green/Black, Orange, Orange/Black, Pink, Pink/Black, Purple, Red, Red/Black, White, White/Black, Yellow, Yellow/Black | Yes | NFPA 262, Flame Rated FT6 | 0000000 |
Communication and Security System Cable
Often used for intercoms, speakers, and security systems, this cable is designated as CM and CL2 or CMG, so the insulation is flame resistant and approved for in-wall installation in single-level facilities.
Shielded cable has a layer of foil that blocks signal interference from nearby equipment and devices. It has an uninsulated ground wire is not counted in the number of wires.

- Use For: Buildings, Interference Shielding
- Flexible
- Temperature Range: See table
- Insulation: PVC Plastic
Per Ft. | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wire Ga. | No. of Wires | Cable AWG | Temp. Range, °F | OD | Outer Insulation Color | Inner Insulation Color | Features | Industry Designation | Length, ft. | 1-99 | 100-Up | |
300V AC/300V DC | ||||||||||||
24 | 8 | 24/8 | 0° to 175° | 0.22" | Gray | Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, White, Yellow | Uninsulated Ground Wire | CM, CMG | 00000000 | 00000 | 00000 |