85% Of Imported Category 6 Patch Cords Fail Electrical Testing
78% fail by more than 3db.....45% Fail by more than 6db
These failure rates can have a dramatic effect on your networks performance.
Nowhere in the industry is there a bigger problem than with the selection of Category 6 and 6A Patch Cords that meet BOTH Electrical Performance Testing AND Mechanical/Material Specifications. For example, FLUKE NETWORKS Application Note entitled “The Weakest Link in High-Performance Cabling Systems” points out that the Patch Cord incorporating a modular RJ45 plug is the weakest link in the Signal Transmission Channel. They have found that 83% OF ALL PATCH CORDS FAIL TO MEET THE PRESCRIBED ELECTRICAL STANDARDS OF THE TIA. The impact of these cables that affect ALIEN CROSSTALK, RETURN LOSS, LATENCY and DELAY SKEW will adversely affect network performance and speeds.
Similarly, the Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA) has concluded a research study that indicated an 85% Failure Rate in Category 6 patch cords produced offshore by companies who are largely unknown in North America. What is more disturbing is that 78% of the failing samples failed by a margin of 3dB or more and 45% of the failing samples failed by margin of 6dB or more. Because noise is measured on a logarithmic scale, a 3dB failure indicates a noise level that is twice as high as the allowable standards and failures of this magnitude contribute to significant network problem.
Regarding Mechanical/Material Specifications, Sentinel Connector Systems has made a presentation to the FCC on problems associated with RJ45s with reference to the ANSI/TIA 1096-A Standard (formerly FCC Part 68). Quality Issues include Gold Plating, Material Selection, Contact Lift-Off and a host of other problems. ACTA Virtual Public Meeting – ANSI/TIA 1096-A Non-Compliance Issues (Focus on RJ45). What is even more disturbing is that they also found a 94.4% Failure To Meet Minimum ANSI/TIA 1096-A Specification Rate among Modular Connector supplies.
CATEGORY 6A |
CATEGORY 6 | |||||||
AWG | 28 AWG HOT PRODUCT |
26 AWG |
28 AWG HOT PRODUCT |
24 AWG |
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Country of Origin |
Plugs USA Boots USA Cable TAA |
Plugs USA Boots USA Cable USA |
Plugs USA Boots USA Cable TAA |
Plugs USA Boots USA Cable USA |
Plugs USA Boots USA Cable TAA |
Plugs USA Boots USA Cable USA |
Plugs USA Boots USA Cable TAA |
Plugs USA Boots USA Cable USA |
CABLE |
U/FTP | F/UTP |
U/FTP | F/UTP | U/UTP | U/UTP | U/UTP | U/UTP |
OD |
.210" | .186" | .236" | .235" | .145" | .150" | .213" | .220" |
Black ![]() |
6AP28BLK |
6A28BLK | 6APBLK | 6ABLK |
6U28BLK |
6UA28BLK |
6UBLK |
6UABLK |
Blue ![]() |
6AP28BLU |
6A28BLU | 6APBLU | 6ABLU | 6U28BLU |
6UA28BLU |
6UBLU |
6UABLU |
Green ![]() |
6AP28GRN |
6A28GRN | 6APGRN | 6AGRN |
6U28GRN |
6UA28GRN |
6UGRN |
6UAGRN |
Grey ![]() |
6AP28GRY |
6A28GRY | 6APGRY | 6AGRY |
6U28GRY |
6UA28GRY |
6UGRY |
6UAGRY |
Orange ![]() |
6AP28ORN |
6A28ORN | 6APORN | - |
6U28ORN |
6UA28ORN |
6UORN |
6UAORN |
Purple ![]() |
6AP28PUR |
6A28PUR | 6APPUR | - |
6U28PUR |
6UA28PUR |
6UPUR |
6UAPUR |
Red ![]() |
6AP28RED |
6A28RED |
6APRED | 6ARED |
6U28RED |
6UA28RED |
6URED |
6UARED |
White ![]() |
6AP28WHT |
6A28WHT | 6APWHT | 6AWHT |
6U28WHT |
6UA28WHT |
6UWHT |
6UAWHT |
Yellow ![]() |
6AP28YEL |
6A28YEL | 6APYEL | 6AYEL |
6U28YEL |
6UA28YEL |
6UYEL |
6UAYEL |