AV Category Cable CAT 6 Cables

Summary: ProAV Category Cable CAT 6 Cables

ProAV Low-Voltage Cabling for Commercial and Industrial Environments
Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire® low-voltage cabling engineered to move audio, video, control, and data reliably across demanding commercial spaces. Our ProAV-focused category cable portfolio supports AV-over-IP, HDBaseT, Dante, control networks, and facility systems that depend on consistent signal performance and dependable POE (power over ethernet) delivery.

Why SmartWire for ProAV

• Purpose-built performance: Category 6 and Category 6e options maintain consistent impedance, crosstalk control, and bandwidth for modern AV transport and control networks.
• POE (power over ethernet) ready: Constructions support powering endpoints such as cameras, encoders/decoders, touch panels, and control processors while maintaining data integrity.
• Shielded and unshielded choices: Specify cat6 shielded cable where EMI/RFI is present (mechanical rooms, dense racks, lighting) and non-shielded where it isn’t.
• Code-appropriate jackets: Plenum and non-plenum indoor options plus a direct burial, category 6 outdoor cable for campus links, stadiums, and exterior runs.
• Installation efficiency: SmartWire® includes SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication on the jacket to reduce friction during pulls by up to 70% and help crews finish runs faster.
• Made in the USA: SmartWire® is manufactured in the United States to tight process control for consistent lot-to-lot performance.

Where ProAV Teams Use Our Cable

• Enterprise collaboration spaces, education, healthcare, and hospitality
• Houses of worship, arenas, performing arts, and themed entertainment
• Broadcast/streaming, command/control, and mission-critical facilities

Product Options at a Glance

• Categories: Rated Category 6 and Category 6e selections
• AWG sizes: 23 AWG and 24 AWG
• Shielding: Shielded and Non-Shielded
• Jacket types: Plenum, Non-Plenum, and Direct Burial Outdoor
• Standard jacket colors: Black and Blue; custom jacket and stripe colors available to support project standardization and identification
• Available lengths: 1000 FT, 500 FT, 250 FT, and 100 FT

Designed for Your Networked AV Workflow
From switch-to-endpoint links to cross-facility backbone runs, these pro av cable constructions handle compressed and uncompressed media transport as well as control and monitoring traffic. They terminate cleanly to patch panels and keystones and integrate well with your on-rack cat6 patch cable assemblies at the endpoints.

Available Constructions

• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper, Plenum, Low-Voltage: Category 6 non-shielded cable for in-ceiling and return-air spaces; a reliable choice for AV-over-IP, control, and POE (power over ethernet) device runs.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper, Shielded Plenum, Low-Voltage: Category 6 cat6 shielded cable with foil shielding helps mitigate EMI in plenum pathways near lighting, motors, or dense equipment rooms.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper, Non-Plenum, Low-Voltage: Category 6 non-shielded riser/general-purpose option for horizontal runs and equipment rooms where plenum is not required.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper, Shielded Non-Plenum, Low-Voltage: Category 6 shielded riser cable for noise-prone pathways; supports longer AV transport device-to-switch links with stable return loss and crosstalk control.
• 24 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper, Non-Plenum, Low-Voltage: Category 6e performance selection for shorter runs and space-constrained pathways; integrates with standard networking hardware and on-rack terminations.
• 23 AWG 4 Pair Solid Bare Copper, Direct Burial Outdoor Shielded, Low-Voltage: Category 6 outdoor cable for campus/exterior routes; shielded design supports signal integrity between buildings and to outdoor endpoints.

How We Add Value to Your Next Project

• Consistency you can specify: Tight manufacturing control helps deliver predictable electrical performance across the jobsite and simplifies design assumptions.
• Portfolio fit for every path: Plenum, riser, and direct burial choices let you standardize on one family from rack to endpoint, indoors and outdoors.
• Installation speed: SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication reduces pull friction so crews can route cable faster with fewer re-pulls.
• POE-enabled deployments: Built to support power and data on the same run for cameras, touch panels, encoders/decoders, and control processors.
• Color discipline: Stock black and blue jackets with the ability to request custom jacket and stripe colors to simplify identification and maintenance.
• Scalable inventory planning: Multiple length options (100, 250, 500, and 1000 FT) streamline staging, reduce overage, and align with project phasing.

Get Started
Choose the SmartWire® construction that fits your environment—plenum, riser, or direct burial—and the shielding level your pathways require. Whether you need a cat6 shielded cable for EMI-heavy runs, a non-shielded plenum for typical ceiling spaces, or a category 6 outdoor cable to connect buildings, Windy City Wire provides the low-voltage products and solutions to keep your ProAV network performing with confidence.

Solutions: ProAV Category Cable CAT 6 Cables

AV Category Cable: CAT 6 Cables for Professional AV

Windy City Wire supplies Category 6 low-voltage cabling engineered for professional audio-visual systems in commercial and industrial environments. Our pro av cable solutions support data, audio, video, and control transport across conference spaces, classrooms, production facilities, venues, and large campuses. Options include plenum and non-plenum, shielded and unshielded constructions in 23 AWG and 24 AWG to meet code requirements, manage electromagnetic noise, and deliver reliable performance for AV-over-IP and control networks. Available in 1000 FT lengths to support long, continuous runs on large jobs.

Where CAT 6 Fits in Modern AV Systems

• Conferencing and Collaboration: Connect codecs, room PCs, cameras, microphones, DSPs, and touch panels. CAT 6 is widely used for AV-over-IP endpoints, soft-codec appliances, and control processors.
• Digital Signage and IPTV: Run backbones from headend to displays, media players, and encoders/decoders across campuses, retail floors, and venues.
• Audio Networking: Transport networked audio protocols (e.g., Dante, AES67, AVB) between mix positions, stage boxes, amplifiers, and loudspeaker processors.
• Video over IP and Control: Support encoder/decoder links, KVM extension, and device control for matrix-free distribution architectures.
• Room Automation: Tie in control processors, occupancy sensors, relay packs, and touch interfaces for building and AV system automation.
• Security and Intercom Adjacent to AV: Integrate cameras, intercom stations, and networked access points that share the AV network or live alongside it.
• Lighting and LED Walls: Network links for controllers, processors, and monitoring systems that coordinate lighting and large-format LED displays.

Industries and Facilities That Rely on CAT 6 Pro AV Cabling

• Corporate and Enterprise: Boardrooms, divisible training spaces, all-hands areas, and NOCs with high-density switching and control.
• Higher Education and K–12: Lecture halls, classrooms, labs, and campus-wide digital signage and lecture capture.
• Healthcare: Conference and simulation rooms, training centers, patient education displays, and telemedicine suites.
• Hospitality and Entertainment: Ballrooms, meeting rooms, casinos, theaters, and on-property signage networks.
• Retail and Quick Serve: Menu boards, back-of-house monitoring, and networked audio for announcements and ambiance.
• Stadiums and Arenas: Control rooms, concourse signage, suite AV, broadcast support, and game-day operations.
• Houses of Worship: Production rooms, stage I/O, streaming infrastructure, and distributed audio.
• Government and Public Sector: Council chambers, training centers, command-and-control, and briefing rooms.
• Industrial and Manufacturing: Production floor displays, paging, device control networks, and testing labs with higher EMI exposure.
• Transportation Hubs: Wayfinding, public information displays, paging control, and operations centers.

Choosing the Right CAT 6 Construction for Your Application

• Plenum-Rated Unshielded CAT 6: A strong choice for most indoor AV networks in air-handling spaces. Suited to classrooms, offices, and typical conference environments where electromagnetic interference is moderate.
• Cat6 shielded cable: Recommended for electrically noisy locations such as manufacturing lines, elevator shafts, near LED walls, or alongside large bundles and power infrastructure. Shielding helps reduce external noise and maintain signal integrity for audio and video over IP.
• Non-Plenum (Riser) CAT 6: Appropriate for vertical risers and general-use spaces when plenum rating is not required by local code.
• Category 6 outdoor cable: Use direct-burial, UV-resistant, moisture-blocked constructions for outdoor runs between buildings, stadium concourses, exterior signage, and security cameras on poles. This extends your AV/IP network reliably across a campus.
• AWG Options (23 AWG and 24 AWG): 23 AWG offers robust performance for longer horizontal runs and helps with thermal and voltage drop considerations on POE (power over ethernet) loads. 24 AWG is commonly preferred where extra flexibility is needed, such as tighter pathways and short device leads.
• Color Choices: Black and blue jacket options help with visual identification and cable management by function or system type across large builds.

Powering Devices with POE (Power over Ethernet)

• Common POE Targets: Conference cameras, beamforming microphones, DSP endpoints, touch panels, encoders/decoders, occupancy sensors, wireless access points, and networked loudspeakers.
• Design Considerations: Account for cable pathway fill, ambient temperatures, and bundling when planning higher POE loads. Selecting 23 AWG and, where appropriate, shielded constructions can support thermal performance and noise mitigation.
• Deployment Tip: Use horizontal CAT 6 runs to endpoints and pair them with a quality cat6 patch cable at the rack and device sides for clean terminations and serviceability.

Why Integrators Choose Windy City Wire for Pro AV

• Consistency at Scale: Uniform electrical characteristics and construction help maintain link performance across large multi-room or campus deployments.
• Code Compliance Options: Plenum, riser, and outdoor/direct-burial offerings align with varied building and campus requirements.
• Noise Management: Availability of both unshielded and shielded variants lets you match the environment and control EMI for sensitive AV-over-IP and audio networking applications.
• Installer-Focused Details: Constructions are designed to handle typical AV bends and pathways, with copper conductors that terminate cleanly and support dependable test results when installed to best practices.

Typical AV Integration Workflows Supported by CAT 6

1. Unified Communications Rooms: Network links for cameras, mics, DSPs, and display transport over IP; centralized control with touch panels powered via POE (power over ethernet).
2. Campus Digital Signage: Encoders feed display endpoints across buildings and outdoor areas using a mix of plenum and category 6 outdoor cable where needed.
3. Production and Broadcast Support: Audio-over-IP between control rooms, stages, and commentary positions; KVM extension for remote operation.
4. Enterprise Training Centers: Multi-room AV switching over IP, simple reconfiguration for events, and standards-based cabling for long-term upgrades.
5. Large Venues and Stadiums: Backbone networks for LED walls, IPTV, intercom endpoints, and operations workstations, with cat6 shielded cable used where EMI is present.

Specification Snapshot

• Category: CAT 6 professional AV-grade cabling for data, audio, video, and control
• Conductors: 4-pair bare copper in 23 AWG and 24 AWG options
• Shielding: Available in unshielded and shielded constructions to match environment and noise profile
• Ratings: Plenum and non-plenum indoor options; outdoor/direct-burial options for campus and venue exteriors
• Length: 1000 FT per reel for efficient backbone and horizontal runs

Getting Started

Whether you are building collaboration spaces, expanding AV-over-IP distribution, or standardizing on a campus-wide design, our team can help you choose the right pro av cable mix across plenum, riser, shielded, unshielded, and outdoor paths. Share your drawings or device list and we will recommend a CAT 6 configuration that supports your bandwidth and POE (power over ethernet) needs, with clear guidance for installation and testing.

Frequently Asked Questions: ProAV Category Cable CAT 6 Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire AV Category Cable CAT 6 cables?

  These SmartWire® CAT 6 cables are available in 23 AWG and 24 AWG, each built with 4-pair bare copper conductors.

• What other colors are these SmartWire AV Category Cable CAT 6 cables available in?

  Available options include: White-Blue/Blue, White-Orange/Orange, White-Green/Green, and White-Brown/Brown. Contact Windy City Wire if you need custom SmartWire jacket and stripe colors to standardize your installations.

• Are these SmartWire AV Category Cable CAT 6 cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  Solid bare copper conductors.

• What lengths are these SmartWire AV Category Cable CAT 6 cables sold in?

  We manufacture and stock SmartWire in a standard 1,000 ft length. Additional options of 100 ft, 250 ft, and 500 ft are available on select items.

• How is your SmartWire ProAV cable sold on spools or in boxes?

  Our SmartWire ProAV cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton (not on spools) to maximize labor savings and pulling efficiency as part of our complete solution. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

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