CCTV CAT 6 Cables

Summary: CCTV CAT 6 Cables

CCTV CAT 6 Cables for Professional Surveillance Deployments
Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire® low-voltage cabling purpose-built for commercial and industrial security. Our CCTV Cable lineup in this category focuses on Cat 6 performance for reliable IP camera connectivity, consistent PoE power delivery, and clean signal integrity across demanding environments. Whether you’re building out a multi-camera enterprise system or standardizing on a single spec for repeatable installations, our Cat 6 solutions help simplify design, speed up pulls, and support long-term system uptime.

Why security integrators choose SmartWire Cat 6 for CCTV

• Engineered for surveillance: Cat 6 performance supports IP cameras and NVRs, with options that fit plenum spaces, general indoor areas, and outdoor/direct-burial runs.
• Low-voltage copper construction: 23 AWG and 24 AWG bare copper conductors promote stable PoE power and data for camera endpoints.
• Shielding options where you need them: Unshielded for typical pathways and shielded constructions for high-EMI zones (elevators, mechanical rooms, manufacturing floors).
• Pulling made easier: SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication is applied to the cable jacket during manufacturing to reduce friction during cable pulls by up to 70%, helping improve productivity and limit rework.
• Simplified footage tracking: FastFIND Footage Markers help with quick length calculations and planning shorter runs to reduce waste on the job.
• Standards-aligned color coding: Standard 4-pair color coding supports consistent terminations and QA in the field.
• Lengths to match the job: Standard 1000 ft lengths; select constructions are also available in 500 ft, 250 ft, and 100 ft.
• Customization available: Standard and custom jacket and stripe colors can help you identify CCTV, access control, or network backbone lines throughout a facility. Contact our team to discuss options.

How we create value for your next CCTV project
SmartWire low-voltage cables are manufactured in the United States for consistent quality and performance. Our product breadth and inventory depth help contractors and security integrators standardize on a single CCTV Cable spec across multiple sites, simplify purchasing, and keep field teams moving. With shielding, plenum, non-plenum, and direct-burial options, you can cover indoor, in-ceiling, riser, and outdoor pathways with one cohesive family of cat6 cables. The result is fewer change orders, smoother pulls, and a reliable Cat 6 infrastructure that supports today’s and tomorrow’s camera systems.

Available constructions (quick reference)

1. 23 AWG 4 Pair Bare Copper Plenum Low-Voltage: Category 6 UTP for indoor plenum applications; unshielded design suitable for typical office and commercial ceilings. Nominal OD: 0.215 in.
2. 23 AWG 4 Pair Bare Copper Plenum Low-Voltage: Category 6 shielded construction for plenum spaces with elevated EMI; helps protect video and data integrity in electrically noisy environments.
3. 23 AWG 4 Pair Bare Copper Non-Plenum Low-Voltage: Category 6 UTP for general indoor pathways where plenum rating is not required; a cost-effective choice for standard CCTV camera drops.
4. 23 AWG 4 Pair Bare Copper Non-Plenum Low-Voltage: Category 6 shielded option for non-plenum areas with potential interference; ideal near heavy equipment or bundled with power.
5. 23 AWG 4 Pair Bare Copper Outdoor/Direct-Burial Low-Voltage: Category 6 shielded cable designed for direct-burial or outdoor conduit; suitable for campus surveillance runs between buildings.
6. 24 AWG 4 Pair Bare Copper Non-Plenum Low-Voltage: Enhanced Category 6e option for space-sensitive pathways; supports IP camera connectivity where a smaller gauge is preferred.

Choosing the right Cat 6 CCTV Cable

• Indoor plenum spaces: Use plenum-rated Cat 6 constructions for return-air spaces to meet code while maintaining throughput for high-resolution video.
• General indoor pathways: Non-plenum Cat 6 is a solid fit for standard camera drops in offices, retail, education, and light industrial areas.
• High-EMI areas: Select shielded variants to mitigate interference from VFDs, generators, lighting runs, or shared trays.
• Outdoor and campus links: Direct-burial shielded Cat 6 helps protect CCTV signals between buildings and to remote camera locations.

Key details at a glance

• Performance: Cat 6 and Cat 6e options for CCTV networks and PoE-powered cameras
• Conductor: 4-pair bare copper in 23 AWG and 24 AWG selections
• Shielding: Unshielded (UTP) and shielded options available
• Ratings: Plenum and non-plenum indoor constructions; outdoor/direct-burial options
• Lengths: 1000 ft standard; select items also available in 500 ft, 250 ft, and 100 ft
• SmartWire advantages: Factory-applied SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication to help reduce pull friction; FastFIND Footage Markers for quick footage checks and reduced waste
• Identification: Standard pair color code; optional custom jacket and stripe colors to support project standards

Where Cat 6 CCTV Cable Fits in Modern Surveillance Architectures

• IP Camera Systems (PoE/PoE+): Primary data and power path from cameras to PoE switches and NVRs. Cat 6 performance and 4‑pair bare copper conductors support reliable 1080p and 4K streams with power delivery over a single run.
• Hybrid CCTV: Use twisted-pair baluns to support legacy analog or HD-over-coax endpoints over UTP where needed, while standard RJ45 terminations enable gradual migration to IP cameras.
• PTZ and Edge Devices: Supports PoE to PTZ cameras, encoders/decoders, video intercom endpoints, analytics appliances, and edge recording devices.
• Wireless Backhaul to Remote Cameras: Power and data for point-to-point radios supporting outbuildings, lots, and perimeter areas where fiber is not practical.
• Command Centers and Video Walls: Reliable, low-loss runs to workstations, video walls, and operator consoles.

Integrations Across Security and Building Systems

• Access Control: Clean network connectivity from door controllers and reader panels back to security closets and head-end equipment.
• Intrusion Detection: Networked alarm panels, communicators, and IP-based sensors on shared or segmented VLANs.
• Intercom and Paging: IP intercom stations at entrances and gates, with PoE powering endpoints and transporting audio/video.
• Building Management and OT Networks: Secure connectivity for VMS servers, environmental sensors, and industrial monitoring within manufacturing and utilities settings.

Built for Commercial and Industrial Environments

• Plenum and Non‑Plenum Options: Select plenum for air‑handling spaces and non‑plenum for standard pathways to meet code requirements.
• Shielded and Unshielded: Choose shielded Cat 6 for areas with heavy EMI/RFI (e.g., near motors, generators, or dense switching environments) and unshielded for typical office or light commercial spaces.
• Outdoor/Direct Burial: Shielded outdoor high‑performance options support underground pathways and exposed runs around campuses, parking lots, and perimeters.
• 23 AWG and 24 AWG Availability: 23 AWG conductors help minimize voltage drop for longer PoE runs and higher‑draw devices; 24 AWG suits standard Ethernet distances and typical device loads.

Industries That Rely on Cat 6 CCTV Cable

• Corporate Campuses and Offices: Camera coverage, intercoms, and visitor management networked to security operations centers.
• Healthcare: Video monitoring of entrances, patient areas, and pharmacy spaces; integration with access control and emergency communication.
• Education (K‑12 and Higher Ed): Coverage across classrooms, corridors, athletics, and parking decks; PoE simplifies deployment in existing buildings.
• Manufacturing and Industrial Plants: Ruggedized, shielded runs for production floors, machine areas, and OT networks.
• Warehousing and Logistics: Long camera runs to cover aisles, docks, and yards; direct burial for perimeter and gate monitoring.
• Retail, Hospitality, and Entertainment: Front-of-house and back-of-house surveillance, POS areas, and loss prevention.
• Transportation, Parking, Airports, and Ports: High‑density camera networks, LPR systems, and operational video with centralized management.
• Utilities, Energy, and Critical Infrastructure: Remote substation monitoring, site perimeters, and control rooms with hardened network segments.
• Banking, Finance, and Government: High‑reliability cabling for branch offices, data centers, and secured facilities.

Why Windy City Wire for Cat 6 CCTV Cable

• Category 6 performance for stable bandwidth and camera uptime across enterprise-grade networks.
• 4‑pair bare copper conductors support dependable PoE delivery, reducing voltage drop versus mixed‑metal or copper‑clad alternatives.
• Shielded and unshielded choices to match EMI conditions and pathway requirements.
• Plenum, non‑plenum, and outdoor direct‑burial constructions to address code compliance and environmental exposure.
• 23 AWG and 24 AWG options to align with PoE budget and distance needs.
• Standard color‑coded pairs align with TIA/EIA termination practices, supporting consistent field work and reducing re-terminations.
• Compatibility with RJ45 terminations, patch panels, keystones, and common PoE switches, NVRs, and VMS platforms.
• 1000 ft lengths suit campus and multi-building rollouts with predictable pull planning and fewer transitions.
• SmartWire ecosystem available to help crews streamline pulls and organize terminations across large, multi-camera jobs—helping reduce labor and rework on site.

Design and Installation Considerations

• Distance: Adhere to the 100 m (328 ft) Ethernet channel guideline for Cat 6. For high‑draw PoE devices or near‑limit runs, 23 AWG shielded options can help minimize loss.
• PoE Planning: Confirm switch power budgets (IEEE 802.3af/at/bt). Use higher‑gauge conductors and shielded cable where devices pull more power or where runs approach maximum length.
• EMI Management: In electrical rooms, production floors, or near heavy equipment, choose shielded Cat 6 and maintain proper grounding and separation from power cabling.
• Pathways and Code: Use plenum-rated cable in air‑handling spaces and outdoor/direct‑burial constructions for exterior pathways or underground segments.
• Terminations: Follow TIA/EIA 568A or 568B consistently; keep twists to the termination for best performance and test all drops before device installation.
• Migration Flexibility: For sites transitioning from analog CCTV, use UTP with baluns where needed today while enabling an easy path to full IP camera deployments tomorrow.

Application Highlights by System Type

• Perimeter and Parking: Outdoor/direct burial shielded Cat 6 for gate cameras, LPR, and fence lines; PoE to housings and illuminators.
• Production and Utilities: Shielded Cat 6 to mitigate EMI around drives and panels; secure VLANs for VMS, access control, and OT devices.
• Retail and Banking: Clean Cat 6 drops to domes and turrets; consolidated PoE switching simplifies maintenance and growth.
• Healthcare and Education: Plenum Cat 6 in corridors and classrooms; integration with emergency communication and mass notification.

Choosing the Right CCTV Cable

• Environment: Plenum for air spaces, non‑plenum for standard indoor pathways, direct burial shielded for exterior/underground.
• Noise Exposure: Shielded for high‑EMI areas; unshielded for typical office/light commercial spaces.
• Power and Distance: Favor 23 AWG for longer PoE runs or higher‑wattage devices; 24 AWG for standard runs and typical cameras.

Whether you are building a new enterprise surveillance network or upgrading a legacy system, Windy City Wire cat6 cables provide the consistent performance and installation efficiency commercial and industrial projects demand. If your scope includes IP cameras, NVR head-ends, or integrated access control, our Cat 6 solutions help standardize your low-voltage infrastructure and keep projects on schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions: CCTV CAT 6 Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire CCTV CAT 6 cables?
  23 AWG and 24 AWG solid bare copper.
• What other colors are these SmartWire CCTV CAT 6 cables available in?
  White-Blue/Blue, White-Orange/Orange, White-Green/Green, and White-Brown/Brown.
• Are these SmartWire CCTV CAT 6 cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?
  Solid bare copper conductors (4-pair).
• What lengths are these SmartWire CCTV CAT 6 cables sold in?
  Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire CCTV wire in 1,000 ft as our standard length. Additional lengths also available: 500 ft, 250 ft, and 100 ft.
• How is your SmartWire low-voltage CCTV cables sold on spools or in boxes?
  Our SmartWire CCTV Wire is packaged in our patented RackPack carton for efficient pulls and installation.
  Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

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