Cat 6A F/FTP Cable for Dual-Foil 10 Gigabit Ethernet Networks

Cat 6A F/FTP Cable provides dual-level foil-screened copper connectivity for 10 Gigabit Ethernet, data centers, enterprise LANs, structured cabling and other high-bandwidth networks where strong electromagnetic isolation is required. ETK Kablo manufactures Cat 6A F/FTP cables with 23 AWG solid copper conductors and PVC, LSOH or PE outer jackets.

The current ETK Kablo Cat 6A F/FTP range uses four twisted pairs, with an individual Al/PET foil screen around every pair and an additional Al/PET foil screen around the complete four-pair cable core. A tinned copper earthing wire supports the screening system. The cables provide Category 6A transmission performance through 500 MHz and support 10GBASE-T when the complete installed channel meets the applicable structured-cabling requirements.

F/FTP therefore provides two levels of foil screening: pair-level screening and overall screening. This architecture can help control electromagnetic coupling, internal crosstalk and alien crosstalk in high-density network environments.

What Is Cat 6A F/FTP Cable?

Cat 6A F/FTP is a four-pair balanced Ethernet cable in which every twisted pair receives its own foil screen and the complete group of pairs receives an additional overall foil screen.

The designation can be read as:

• F – overall foil screen around the complete cable core
• FTP – individual foil screens around the twisted pairs

This makes F/FTP different from U/FTP, which has only pair-level foil screens, and S/FTP, which combines individual pair foils with an overall metallic braid.

ETK Kablo Cat 6A F/FTP Cable Range

Product	Outer Jacket	Main Selection Direction
Cat 6A F/FTP PVC	PVC	General fixed structured cabling where PVC is permitted
Cat 6A F/FTP LSOH	Halogen-free / low-smoke material	Projects requiring defined smoke and halogen characteristics
Cat 6A F/FTP PE	Polyethylene	Outdoor-oriented screened Ethernet routes

All three current products share the same basic 23 AWG F/FTP Category 6A architecture. The principal variation is the outer-jacket material.

Cat 6A F/FTP Cable Construction

Component	Current ETK Kablo Construction
Conductor	Electrolytic solid copper
Conductor Size	23 AWG
Insulation	Foamed polyethylene cladded with solid polyethylene
Pair Construction	Four twisted pairs
Individual Pair Screens	Al/PET foil around each pair
Screen Wire	Tinned copper earthing wire between screened pairs
Overall Screen	Al/PET foil
Outer Jacket	PVC, LSOH or PE according to product

Dual Foil Screening in Cat 6A F/FTP

F/FTP uses two separate foil-screening concepts within one Ethernet cable.

Each twisted pair receives its own Al/PET foil screen. These individual screens help electrically separate the four signal pairs from one another.

An additional Al/PET foil then surrounds the complete assembled cable core. This overall screen provides another conductive barrier between the network pairs and the external electromagnetic environment.

The two screening levels perform related but distinct functions and together create a more comprehensive foil-screen architecture than U/FTP.

Individual Pair Screening

Individual pair foils surround each balanced twisted pair separately.

This architecture helps reduce unwanted electromagnetic coupling between the four Ethernet signal pairs and supports the stringent crosstalk requirements associated with Category 6A transmission.

Pair-level screening becomes particularly relevant as network frequency increases to 500 MHz and installations become denser.

The screens should form part of a correctly terminated screened cabling channel rather than being treated as isolated cable features.

Overall Foil Screening

F/FTP also places an overall Al/PET foil around the assembled group of individually screened pairs.

This common screen adds another layer between the Ethernet core and external electrical interference.

The overall foil distinguishes F/FTP from U/FTP, where the pairs receive individual screens but the complete cable does not have another overall metallic screen.

Cat 6A F/FTP and Alien Crosstalk

Alien crosstalk describes unwanted signal coupling between neighboring Ethernet cables rather than between pairs inside one cable.

This becomes an important design consideration in Cat 6A because 10GBASE-T operates through frequencies up to 500 MHz and can use dense cable bundles.

Individual pair foils and the overall foil can help control electromagnetic interaction between adjacent cables.

However, cable design remains only one part of alien-crosstalk performance. Bundle density, installation pathways, connectors and termination quality also influence the complete system.

Cat 6A F/FTP Earthing Wire

The current ETK Kablo F/FTP construction includes a tinned copper earthing wire between the screened pairs.

The earthing wire supports screen continuity and termination within the screened cabling system.

Compatible screened connectors, patch panels and bonding practices should form part of the complete installation.

Using an F/FTP cable without suitable screened hardware does not automatically provide the intended electromagnetic performance.

23 AWG Solid Copper Cat 6A F/FTP Cable

The current ETK Kablo Cat 6A F/FTP products use 23 AWG solid copper conductors.

Solid copper provides predictable conductor resistance and stable electrical performance for fixed structured-cabling installations.

The product documentation specifies a maximum conductor resistance of 94 Ω/km at 20°C.

Buyers should distinguish solid-copper Cat 6A cable from copper-clad conductor alternatives when 10 Gigabit Ethernet, PoE performance and project compliance are important.

Foamed PE Insulation with Solid PE Skin

The current ETK Kablo F/FTP construction uses foamed polyethylene insulation cladded with solid polyethylene.

This dielectric architecture contributes to electrical characteristics such as capacitance and signal-propagation velocity.

ETK Kablo product documentation specifies a propagation velocity of 78–80% across the F/FTP family.

Conductor geometry, insulation design, pair twisting and metallic screening therefore work together as part of the 500 MHz transmission system.

500 MHz Cat 6A F/FTP Performance

ETK Kablo Cat 6A F/FTP technical data covers transmission characteristics through 500 MHz.

Relevant parameters include:

• Insertion loss
• Near-end crosstalk (NEXT)
• Power-sum NEXT
• Equal-level far-end crosstalk
• Power-sum equal-level far-end crosstalk
• Return loss
• Characteristic impedance
• Propagation velocity

The product documentation specifies a characteristic impedance of 100 Ω ±5% across the specified Category 6A frequency range.

Cat 6A F/FTP for 10 Gigabit Ethernet

Cat 6A F/FTP provides a screened cabling platform for 10GBASE-T 10 Gigabit Ethernet when the complete installed channel meets the applicable Category 6A requirements.

Typical applications include:

• Data centers
• Enterprise LAN networks
• Server rooms
• Telecommunications rooms
• High-density structured cabling
• Wi-Fi infrastructure
• IP surveillance
• Industrial Ethernet
• Building-management networks
• High-performance commercial networks

The cable, connectors, patch panels, patch cords and terminations all contribute to final 10GBASE-T channel performance.

10GBASE-T up to 100 Meters

Cat 6A is designed to support 10GBASE-T over a full balanced-copper structured-cabling channel when the installed system meets the applicable requirements.

A typical channel can extend to 100 meters, normally including up to 90 meters of permanent-link cable together with patch and equipment cords.

The additional foil screens improve electromagnetic behavior but do not extend the standardized Ethernet channel beyond the applicable design limits.

Cat 6A U/UTP vs U/FTP vs F/FTP vs S/FTP

Construction	Individual Pair Foils	Overall Foil	Overall Braid
U/UTP	No	No	No
U/FTP	Yes	No	No
F/FTP	Yes	Yes	No
S/FTP	Yes	No	Yes

All four architectures can form part of Category 6A networks, but they use different electromagnetic-screening concepts.

F/FTP occupies a specific position in this hierarchy by combining individual pair foils with an additional overall foil.

Cat 6A F/FTP vs U/FTP

F/FTP and U/FTP both place foil around each individual twisted pair.

The key difference is the additional overall foil used in F/FTP.

Feature	U/FTP	F/FTP
Individual Pair Foils	Yes	Yes
Overall Foil	No	Yes
Overall Braid	No	No

U/FTP can provide efficient pair-level screening, while F/FTP adds another overall conductive barrier where the project requires greater electromagnetic isolation.

Cat 6A F/FTP vs S/FTP

F/FTP and S/FTP both use individual foil screens around each pair.

Their overall screening systems differ.

Feature	F/FTP	S/FTP
Individual Pair Foils	Yes	Yes
Overall Foil	Yes	No
Overall Braid	No	Yes

F/FTP uses an overall foil, while S/FTP uses an overall metallic braid. The correct architecture depends on the project's EMC requirements, cable pathway and screened-channel design.

F/FTP Is Not the Same as F/UTP

F/FTP and F/UTP are technically different cable architectures.

F/UTP uses one overall foil around four individually unshielded twisted pairs.

F/FTP uses individual foil screens around all four pairs plus an additional overall foil.

Feature	F/UTP	F/FTP
Overall Foil	Yes	Yes
Individual Pair Foils	No	Yes

Procurement specifications should use the complete screening notation rather than simply requesting an “FTP cable.”

Cat 6A F/FTP PVC Cable

Cat 6A F/FTP PVC Cable combines dual-level foil screening with a UV-resistant PVC outer jacket.

The current ETK Kablo product uses 23 AWG solid copper conductors, foamed PE insulation with a solid PE skin, individual Al/PET pair screens, a tinned copper earthing wire and an overall Al/PET screen.

The published approximate cable diameter is 7.2 mm.

PVC provides a conventional outer-jacket option for structured-cabling projects where PVC is permitted.

Cat 6A F/FTP LSOH Cable

Cat 6A F/FTP LSOH Cable retains the same pair-level and overall foil architecture while using a UV-resistant halogen-free outer jacket.

The current ETK Kablo product documentation includes applicable testing for:

• Smoke density
• Single-cable flame retardancy
• Corrosive-gas characteristics
• Halogen content

The published approximate cable diameter is 7.2 mm.

LSOH or LSZH describes material behavior during combustion. It does not mean the cable provides fire-resistant circuit integrity.

Cat 6A F/FTP PE Outdoor Cable

Cat 6A F/FTP PE Cable combines dual-level foil screening with a UV-resistant polyethylene outer jacket.

The current product retains the same 23 AWG solid copper conductors, foamed PE insulation, individual pair foils, tinned copper earthing wire and overall Al/PET foil used across the F/FTP family.

Potential applications include:

• Building-to-building network routes
• Outdoor IP surveillance
• Campus Ethernet networks
• External Wi-Fi infrastructure
• Outdoor industrial Ethernet
• External automation networks

A PE outer jacket provides an outdoor-oriented material system. It should not automatically be interpreted as mechanical armor, water blocking or universal direct-burial qualification.

PVC vs LSOH vs PE Cat 6A F/FTP

Jacket	Main Selection Consideration
PVC	General fixed installations where PVC is permitted
LSOH / LSZH	Projects requiring defined low-smoke and halogen-related characteristics
PE	Outdoor-oriented routes requiring polyethylene jacket characteristics

The jacket material changes environmental and fire-material characteristics but does not change the underlying F/FTP screening architecture or 500 MHz Category 6A performance.

Cat 6A F/FTP for Data Centers

Data centers combine high port density, high bandwidth and substantial concentrations of electrical and network infrastructure.

Cat 6A F/FTP can provide 10GBASE-T connectivity with individual pair foils and an additional overall foil screen.

This dual-level screening architecture can help control electromagnetic interaction in dense copper-cabling systems.

Where a project requires an overall braid instead of an overall foil, S/FTP provides an alternative Cat 6A architecture.

Cat 6A F/FTP for Enterprise Networks

Enterprise networks can require high-speed horizontal cabling for workstations, access switches, Wi-Fi infrastructure and other Ethernet devices.

F/FTP can provide a screened 500 MHz platform where the project requires 10 Gigabit Ethernet together with strong electromagnetic separation.

Compatible screened patch panels and connectors should form part of the complete channel.

Cat 6A F/FTP for Industrial Ethernet

Industrial facilities can contain motors, variable-frequency drives, switching equipment and power-distribution systems that generate electromagnetic interference.

The individual pair foils and overall foil make F/FTP relevant where a project specifies substantial electromagnetic screening.

Correct cable routing, separation from power circuits and screen termination remain important parts of the installation.

Cat 6A F/FTP for Wi-Fi Access Points

Modern wireless access points can require multi-gigabit Ethernet backhaul and remote power.

Cat 6A F/FTP provides a 500 MHz 10GBASE-T-capable platform for compatible high-performance Wi-Fi infrastructure.

Where access points use Power over Ethernet, cable resistance, bundle size, ambient temperature and the required PoE level should also form part of the network design.

Cat 6A F/FTP for IP CCTV

High-resolution IP surveillance systems can combine high data traffic with Power over Ethernet.

Cat 6A F/FTP can provide dual-level screened Ethernet connectivity for cameras, network switches and surveillance infrastructure in electrically demanding environments.

PVC or LSOH versions can serve applicable indoor routes, while the PE construction provides an outdoor-oriented option.

Cat 6A F/FTP for Power over Ethernet

Cat 6A F/FTP can form part of compatible Power over Ethernet systems.

The foil screens address electromagnetic performance, while PoE operation also depends on conductor resistance and thermal conditions.

Important factors include:

• Solid copper conductor construction
• DC resistance
• Resistance unbalance
• Network distance
• Cable bundle size
• Ambient temperature
• Installation pathway
• Required PoE level

Extensive shielding should not be treated as a substitute for proper PoE electrical and thermal design.

Cat 6A F/FTP Electrical Characteristics

Parameter	Published Value
Conductor Resistance at 20°C	Max. 94 Ω/km
Insulation Resistance at 20°C	5000 MΩ/km
Mutual Capacitance	Max. 56 nF/km
Resistance Unbalance	2%
Propagation Velocity	78–80%
Characteristic Impedance	100 Ω ±5%
Operating Voltage	125 V DC
Test Voltage	1200 V DC for 1 minute

Cat 6A F/FTP Mechanical Characteristics

The Cat 6A F/FTP product documentation specifies:

• Four twisted pairs
• 23 AWG solid copper conductors
• Approximate cable diameter: 7.2 mm
• Minimum bending radius: 8xD
• Operating temperature: -20°C to +60°C
• Packing lengths: 500 m and 1000 m

The exact construction and packing requirements should be confirmed during quotation.

Cat 6A F/FTP Standards

The current ETK Kablo Cat 6A F/FTP product documentation references:

• ANSI/TIA-568-C.2
• IEC 61156-5
• IEC 11801

These references address the balanced copper Category 6A transmission architecture of the current products.

Project specifications can require different editions or additional approvals, so procurement teams should verify the required documentation for the exact supplied cable.

Flame, Smoke and Halogen Requirements

Fire-related material characteristics depend on the selected jacket construction.

The current PVC product documentation includes IEC 60332-1-2 flame-retardancy testing.

The current LSOH product documentation additionally includes IEC 61034-2 smoke-density, IEC 60754-1 halogen-content and IEC 60754-2 corrosive-gas testing.

These tests describe reaction-to-fire and material characteristics. They should not be confused with fire-resistant circuit integrity.

How to Specify Cat 6A F/FTP Cable

A complete RFQ should define network performance, screening and installation requirements.

Specification Item	Information to Provide
Category	Cat 6A
Screening	F/FTP – individual pair foils + overall foil
Bandwidth	500 MHz
Network Requirement	10GBASE-T or project-specific Ethernet application
Conductor	23 AWG solid copper
Jacket	PVC, LSOH or PE
Installation Environment	Indoor, data center, industrial or outdoor-oriented route
EMI Environment	Required electromagnetic-screening conditions
PoE Requirement	Required PoE application where applicable
Fire Requirement	Required flame, smoke, halogen and CPR classification where applicable
Packing Length	500 m, 1000 m or applicable project requirement
Documentation	Datasheet, DoP where applicable and project documentation

Why Choose ETK Kablo for Cat 6A F/FTP Cable?

ETK Kablo manufactures Cat 6A F/FTP cable in PVC, LSOH and PE constructions for high-bandwidth screened Ethernet infrastructure.

The current range uses 23 AWG solid copper conductors, foamed polyethylene insulation with a solid PE skin, individual Al/PET screens around each twisted pair, a tinned copper earthing wire and an additional overall Al/PET foil screen.

This provides data centers, enterprise networks, industrial projects, contractors and distributors with a 500 MHz 10GBASE-T platform using dual-level foil screening.

ETK Kablo can evaluate jacket material, electromagnetic environment, PoE requirements, packing length, CPR requirements and project documentation during the quotation process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cat 6A F/FTP Cable

What is Cat 6A F/FTP cable?

Cat 6A F/FTP is a four-pair Ethernet cable with an individual foil screen around every twisted pair plus an additional overall foil screen around the complete cable core.

What does F/FTP mean?

F/FTP means the complete cable has an overall foil screen and each individual twisted pair also has its own foil screen.

Is Cat 6A F/FTP double shielded?

Yes. It uses two levels of foil screening: individual pair foils and one overall foil around the complete cable core.

Is F/FTP the same as FTP?

FTP is frequently used as generic commercial shorthand. F/FTP is more precise because it identifies both individual pair foil screens and the additional overall foil.

What speed does Cat 6A F/FTP support?

Cat 6A F/FTP supports 10GBASE-T 10 Gigabit Ethernet over standard structured-cabling channel distances when the complete installed channel meets the applicable requirements.

What frequency is Cat 6A F/FTP?

Category 6A transmission performance extends through 500 MHz.

Is ETK Kablo Cat 6A F/FTP 23 AWG?

Yes. The current ETK Kablo Cat 6A F/FTP products use 23 AWG solid copper conductors.

What is the difference between U/FTP and F/FTP?

Both constructions have individually foil-screened pairs. F/FTP adds an overall foil screen around the complete cable core, while U/FTP does not.

What is the difference between F/FTP and S/FTP?

Both constructions have individually foil-screened pairs. F/FTP uses an overall foil, while S/FTP uses an overall metallic braid.

What is the difference between F/UTP and F/FTP?

F/UTP has one overall foil around four unshielded pairs. F/FTP additionally places foil around each individual pair.

Can Cat 6A F/FTP be used in data centers?

Yes. Cat 6A F/FTP can provide 10GBASE-T connectivity with individual pair screens and an overall foil for compatible data-center structured-cabling systems.

Can Cat 6A F/FTP be used outdoors?

Yes, when the exact construction is suitable for external exposure. ETK Kablo currently manufactures a Cat 6A F/FTP PE cable with a UV-resistant polyethylene outer jacket.

Does ETK Kablo manufacture LSZH Cat 6A F/FTP?

Yes. The current range includes a Cat 6A F/FTP LSOH construction with a halogen-free outer jacket.

Is Cat 6A F/FTP fire resistant?

Not automatically. LSOH and flame-retardant characteristics describe reaction-to-fire and material behavior. They do not establish defined circuit-integrity performance.

Can Cat 6A F/FTP support PoE?

Cat 6A F/FTP can form part of compatible PoE networks. Conductor resistance, route length, bundle size, ambient temperature and the required PoE level should form part of the network design.

What packing lengths are available?

The Cat 6A F/FTP product documentation lists 500 m and 1000 m packing lengths.

What information should I provide when requesting a quotation?

Provide the Cat 6A F/FTP requirement, PVC/LSOH/PE jacket, network application, electromagnetic environment, PoE requirement where applicable, packing length, quantity and required project documentation.