Cat5e / Cat6 / Cat6A Cable
Cat5e, Cat6 & Cat6a Cable Australia: Bulk Reels, LSZH & Patch Cords for Data Cablers and IT Installers
Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a cable from SCHNAP covers everything from bulk 305m reels for structured cabling runs to pre-made patch cords for rack and cabinet work. Whether you're wiring a commercial fit-out or upgrading network infrastructure, this range is built for licensed data cablers, IT installers, and electrical contractors who need reliable stock and fast delivery across Australia.
What's in This Range
- Cat5e STP Solid Bulk Cable — Electra Cables Cat5e STP 305m shielded twisted pair bulk roll for structured cabling installations requiring interference protection.
- Cat6 U-UTP Bulk Cable — Cabac Cat6 U-UTP 305m high-speed ethernet cable for standard horizontal cabling runs in commercial and residential fit-outs.
- Cat6 LSZH Bulk Cable — Certech Cat6 LSZH 305m solid bare copper cable rated for plenum and fire-risk environments where low-smoke zero-halogen compliance is required.
- Cat6 Outdoor Gel-Filled Cable — Electra Cables Cat6 gel-filled UV-resistant outdoor cable for external and underground runs exposed to moisture and UV.
- Cat6a U-UTP Bulk Cable — Certech Cat6a U-UTP 23AWG 500MHz LSZH 305m reel supporting 10GbE runs up to 100m in high-density data environments.
- Cat6a F-UTP Bulk Cable — Certech Cat6a F-UTP 10G LSZH 305m bulk cable with foil shielding for installations with moderate EMI exposure.
- Cat6a S-FTP Bulk Cable — Legrand Cat6a S-FTP 23AWG 500MHz LSZH 500m drum for high-interference environments including hospitals, data centres, and industrial facilities.
- Cat6 Patch Cord LSZH — Legrand Cat6 U-UTP 15m LSZH fire-retardant patch lead for rack and patch panel connections in compliance-sensitive installations.
Who Uses This
This range is used by licensed data cablers running structured cabling systems in commercial office fit-outs, IT installers building server rooms and patch panel arrays, and electrical contractors wiring Cat6a to support 10GbE networks in new builds. Solar installers and registered cablers also pick up outdoor gel-filled Cat6 for external comms runs between buildings or to remote metering points.
Cat5e, Cat6 & Cat6a Cable — Common Questions
What's the difference between Cat6 U-UTP and Cat6a F-UTP or S-FTP?
Cat6 U-UTP is an unshielded cable suited to standard 1GbE installations in typical office or residential environments. Cat6a F-UTP adds an overall foil shield to reduce crosstalk and is better suited to higher-density runs at 10GbE. Cat6a S-FTP goes further with individual pair shielding plus an overall braid — the right choice for hospitals, data centres, or industrial facilities where EMI is a real problem. For most commercial fit-outs, Cat6a U-UTP at 23AWG 500MHz handles 10GbE to 100m without issues.
When should I use LSZH cable instead of PVC?
LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) is specified for installations in enclosed spaces where toxic fumes from burning cable would be a risk — think plenum ceilings, hospital corridors, transportation facilities, and high-occupancy buildings. Certech Cat6 LSZH and Cat6a U-UTP or F-UTP LSZH bulk cables meet this requirement. If your spec sheet or the building's fire engineer calls out LSZH, don't substitute PVC — it won't pass inspection.
Can I use standard Cat6 cable for external or underground runs?
No. Standard Cat6 U-UTP with a PVC jacket will degrade quickly when exposed to UV, moisture, or direct burial conditions. For outdoor and underground work, you need a gel-filled, UV-resistant cable such as the Electra Cables Cat6 outdoor gel-filled range. The gel flooding compound fills the cable's interstitial spaces to block moisture ingress, and the PE jacket handles UV exposure. For longer outdoor Cat6a runs, the Certech Cat6a U-UTP outdoor gel-filled 305m reel is also available in this range.
Why Choose SCHNAP
- Brands like Certech, Electra Cables, Legrand, and Cabac stocked across Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a — UTP, F-UTP, and S-FTP shielding options all in one place.
- 305m and 500m bulk reels available in multiple colours and jacket types — PVC, LSZH, and gel-filled outdoor — so you can spec the right cable for every zone of a job without switching suppliers.
- Australia-wide delivery, trade discounts, and a 30-day return policy — backed by 20+ years supplying electrical and data trades from Kingsgrove NSW.
Shop the full Cat5e, Cat6 & Cat6a Cable range at SCHNAP for Australia-wide delivery on bulk reels, patch cords, and accessories.
