Cat 6A S/FTP Cable for Shielded 10 Gigabit Ethernet Networks

Cat 6A S/FTP Cable provides individually foil-screened copper connectivity with an additional overall braid for 10 Gigabit Ethernet, data centers, industrial networks, enterprise LANs and other high-bandwidth environments requiring substantial electromagnetic protection. ETK Kablo manufactures Cat 6A S/FTP cables with 23 AWG solid copper conductors and PVC, LSOH or PE outer jackets.

The current ETK Kablo Cat 6A S/FTP range uses four twisted pairs with an individual Al/PET foil screen around each pair. A tinned copper earthing wire supports the screening system, while an overall tinned copper braid surrounds the complete four-pair cable core. 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.

S/FTP therefore combines pair-level foil screening with an overall conductive braid. This architecture can help control electromagnetic interference, internal crosstalk and alien crosstalk in electrically demanding and high-density network installations.

What Is Cat 6A S/FTP Cable?

Cat 6A S/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 overall metallic braid.

The designation can be read as:

• S – overall metallic braid around the complete cable core
• FTP – individual foil screens around each twisted pair

This makes S/FTP different from U/FTP, which has no overall metallic screen, and F/FTP, which uses an overall foil instead of an overall braid.

ETK Kablo Cat 6A S/FTP Cable Range

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

All three current products share the same 23 AWG individually foil-screened and overall-braided Category 6A architecture. The principal variation is the outer-jacket material.

Cat 6A S/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	Tinned copper braid
Outer Jacket	PVC, LSOH or PE according to product

Individual Foil Screening in Cat 6A S/FTP

Each twisted pair in the current ETK Kablo S/FTP construction receives its own Al/PET foil screen.

Pair-level screening helps electrically separate the four balanced signal pairs and reduces unwanted electromagnetic coupling between them.

This becomes increasingly important at Cat 6A frequencies, where transmission extends through 500 MHz and tighter crosstalk control forms part of the network design.

The individual pair screens also contribute to electromagnetic isolation from signals in neighboring network cables.

Overall Tinned Copper Braid

The defining overall screen in S/FTP is a tinned copper braid surrounding the complete group of individually foil-screened pairs.

The braid adds a conductive barrier between the Ethernet core and the external electromagnetic environment.

This overall braid distinguishes S/FTP from U/FTP and F/FTP:

• U/FTP has individual pair foils but no overall metallic screen
• F/FTP has individual pair foils plus an overall foil
• S/FTP has individual pair foils plus an overall braid

The correct architecture should follow the project’s actual electromagnetic and installation requirements.

Foil Screening and Braid Screening Perform Different Roles

The individual pair foils and overall braid work at different levels of the cable construction.

Screen	Main Function
Individual Al/PET Pair Foils	Electrical isolation around each twisted pair
Overall Tinned Copper Braid	Overall electromagnetic screening around the complete cable core

The combination creates a comprehensive screen architecture without using an additional overall foil around the complete core.

Cat 6A S/FTP and Alien Crosstalk

Alien crosstalk occurs when signals from one Ethernet cable couple into neighboring cables.

This becomes especially relevant in Cat 6A installations because 10GBASE-T operates through frequencies up to 500 MHz and many cables can run together in dense pathways.

Individual pair foils and an overall metallic braid can help reduce electromagnetic interaction between adjacent cables.

However, shielding does not eliminate the need for proper network design. Bundle density, pathway layout, connectors, patch panels, termination and shield continuity still influence the complete installed system.

Cat 6A S/FTP Earthing Wire

The current ETK Kablo Cat 6A S/FTP construction includes a tinned copper earthing wire between the screened pairs.

This conductor supports screen continuity and termination within the screened cabling architecture.

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

A screened cable cannot provide its intended EMC performance if the installation does not maintain suitable screen continuity.

23 AWG Solid Copper Cat 6A S/FTP Cable

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

Solid copper provides predictable DC resistance and stable electrical characteristics for fixed structured-cabling installations.

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

Professional buyers should distinguish solid-copper Cat 6A cable from copper-clad alternatives when 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Power over Ethernet and project compliance are important.

Foamed PE Insulation with Solid PE Skin

ETK Kablo uses foamed polyethylene insulation cladded with solid polyethylene in the current S/FTP family.

This dielectric architecture contributes to electrical parameters such as capacitance and propagation velocity.

The current product documentation specifies a propagation velocity of 78–80%.

Conductor geometry, insulation design, pair twisting, individual foil screens and the overall braid work together as part of the 500 MHz transmission architecture.

500 MHz Cat 6A S/FTP Performance

ETK Kablo publishes transmission characteristics for the current Cat 6A S/FTP products 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 current product documentation specifies a characteristic impedance of 100 Ω ±5% across the specified Category 6A frequency range.

Cat 6A S/FTP for 10 Gigabit Ethernet

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

Potential applications include:

• Data centers
• Enterprise networks
• Server and telecommunications rooms
• Industrial Ethernet
• High-density structured cabling
• Wi-Fi infrastructure
• IP surveillance
• Building automation
• Technical facilities
• Electrically demanding network environments

The complete channel includes cable, connectors, patch panels, patch cords and field terminations. Each component contributes to final 10GBASE-T performance.

10GBASE-T up to 100 Meters

Category 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 screening improves electromagnetic behavior but does 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 constructions can provide Category 6A transmission performance, but they manage electromagnetic interference differently.

S/FTP combines individual pair foils with an overall conductive braid and is therefore particularly relevant where the project specifies that exact screening architecture.

Cat 6A S/FTP vs U/FTP

S/FTP and U/FTP both place an individual foil screen around every twisted pair.

The difference is the overall screen.

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

U/FTP provides pair-level foil screening without another overall metallic layer. S/FTP adds an overall braid where the installation requires an additional conductive screen around the cable core.

Cat 6A S/FTP vs F/FTP

S/FTP and F/FTP both use individual Al/PET screens around every twisted pair.

The difference lies in the overall screen:

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

F/FTP adds an overall foil, while S/FTP adds an overall metallic braid. Neither architecture should automatically be described as universally better. The project requirements should determine which overall screen is appropriate.

S/FTP Is Not the Same as SF/UTP

S/FTP and SF/UTP are frequently confused because both names contain S and F, but their screening architectures are fundamentally different.

S/FTP uses individual foil screens around every twisted pair together with an overall braid.

SF/UTP uses one overall foil and one overall braid around four individually unshielded twisted pairs.

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

Procurement documents should use the exact screening notation to avoid supplying a technically different cable.

Cat 6A S/FTP PVC Cable

Cat 6A S/FTP PVC Cable combines individual pair foils and overall tinned copper braiding with a UV-resistant PVC outer jacket.

The current ETK Kablo product uses 23 AWG solid copper conductors, foamed polyethylene insulation with a solid PE skin, Al/PET foil around each pair, a tinned copper earthing wire and an overall tinned copper braid.

The published approximate cable diameter is 7.2 mm.

PVC provides a conventional material option for fixed structured-cabling projects where PVC materials are permitted.

Cat 6A S/FTP LSOH Cable

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

The current 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 establish fire-resistant circuit integrity.

Cat 6A S/FTP PE Outdoor Cable

Cat 6A S/FTP PE Cable combines individual pair screens and overall tinned copper braiding with a UV-resistant polyethylene outer jacket.

The current product retains the same 23 AWG solid copper conductors, foamed PE insulation, individual Al/PET pair screens, tinned copper earthing wire and overall tinned copper braid.

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 S/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 S/FTP screening architecture or 500 MHz Category 6A performance.

Cat 6A S/FTP for Data Centers

Data centers can combine high cable density, significant power infrastructure and demanding bandwidth requirements.

Cat 6A S/FTP can provide 10GBASE-T connectivity with individual pair foils and an overall conductive braid.

This architecture can be particularly relevant where network pathways run near substantial electrical infrastructure or where the project specification calls for comprehensive screened copper cabling.

However, cable selection should still consider pathway capacity, grounding infrastructure, termination requirements and total installed cost rather than choosing the construction solely because it contains more metallic screening.

Cat 6A S/FTP for Industrial Ethernet

Industrial facilities can expose network cabling to electromagnetic interference generated by motors, variable-frequency drives, switchgear and power-conversion equipment.

Individual pair foils and an overall tinned copper braid provide a substantial screening architecture for these environments.

Correct cable separation, compatible screened components and bonding practices remain important parts of the installed network.

Cat 6A S/FTP for Enterprise Networks

Enterprise networks can use Cat 6A S/FTP where the project requires 10 Gigabit copper connectivity together with comprehensive electromagnetic screening.

Typical applications include high-density technical rooms, network closets, equipment areas and electrically active building zones.

The complete cabling system should use compatible screened connectivity to maintain screen continuity.

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

Modern wireless access points can require multi-gigabit wired backhaul together with remote electrical power.

Cat 6A S/FTP provides a 500 MHz copper platform for compatible high-performance Wi-Fi infrastructure where screened cabling is required.

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

Cat 6A S/FTP for IP CCTV

High-resolution IP surveillance systems can combine significant bandwidth with Power over Ethernet.

Cat 6A S/FTP can provide screened Ethernet connectivity for cameras, aggregation switches and surveillance infrastructure in electrically demanding environments.

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

Cat 6A S/FTP for Power over Ethernet

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

The foil and braid screens address electromagnetic performance, while PoE loading depends primarily on conductor resistance and the thermal conditions of the installed cable system.

Important design factors include:

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

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

Cat 6A S/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 S/FTP Mechanical Characteristics

The current Cat 6A S/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 S/FTP Standards

The current ETK Kablo Cat 6A S/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 outer-jacket construction.

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

The current LSOH product documentation additionally includes smoke-density, halogen-content and corrosive-gas tests.

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

How to Specify Cat 6A S/FTP Cable

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

Specification Item	Information to Provide
Category	Cat 6A
Screening	S/FTP – individual pair foils + overall braid
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 S/FTP Cable?

ETK Kablo manufactures Cat 6A S/FTP cable in PVC, LSOH and PE constructions for high-performance 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 overall tinned copper braid.

This provides data centers, enterprise networks, industrial projects, network contractors and distributors with a 500 MHz 10GBASE-T platform using comprehensive pair-level and overall 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 S/FTP Cable

What is Cat 6A S/FTP cable?

Cat 6A S/FTP is a four-pair Ethernet cable with an individual foil screen around every twisted pair and an overall metallic braid around the complete cable core.

What does S/FTP mean?

S/FTP means the complete cable core has an overall metallic braid and each individual twisted pair receives its own foil screen.

Is Cat 6A S/FTP fully shielded?

S/FTP uses screening at both pair level and overall cable level: foil around each twisted pair together with an overall tinned copper braid.

What speed does Cat 6A S/FTP support?

Cat 6A S/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 S/FTP?

Category 6A transmission performance extends through 500 MHz.

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

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

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

Both constructions individually foil-screen each pair. S/FTP additionally places an overall metallic braid around the complete cable core.

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

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

Is S/FTP the same as SF/UTP?

No. S/FTP uses individual foil screens around every pair plus an overall braid. SF/UTP uses overall foil and braid around pairs that are individually unshielded.

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

Yes. Cat 6A S/FTP can provide 10GBASE-T connectivity with pair-level foil screening and an overall braid for compatible data-center structured-cabling systems.

Can Cat 6A S/FTP be used in industrial networks?

Yes. Its pair-level foil screens and overall braid can make it relevant where industrial Ethernet operates in electrically demanding environments.

Can Cat 6A S/FTP be used outdoors?

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

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

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

Is Cat 6A S/FTP fire resistant?

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

Can Cat 6A S/FTP support PoE?

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

What packing lengths are available?

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

What information should I provide when requesting a quotation?

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