Panduit UTP6AX28RD Cat 6A 10Gig UTP Patch Cord - 28 ft, Red

High-density 10GBASE-T deployments fail on two fronts: alien crosstalk from tightly bundled Cat 6A cables, and tangled patch-panel nightmares when boots snag during adds or changes. Panduit's UTP6AX28RD solves both. This 28-foot Cat 6A UTP patch cord uses solid foil tape to suppress alien crosstalk below the Class EA budget, ensuring full 10 Gb/s throughput even in 48-port switch environments. The tangle-free latch releases cleanly without catching adjacent cables, and pre-installed RapidID barcodes eliminate manual port-mapping errors. Built for datacenter cross-connects, PoE++ camera uplinks, and NVR aggregation switches where bandwidth and documentation accuracy are non-negotiable.

Key Features

• 10GBASE-T capable: verified 10 Gb/s throughput, exceeds ANSI/TIA-568.2-D Category 6A and ISO 11801 Class EA
• Tangle-free latch design: boot geometry prevents snags on adjacent cables during dense rack deployments
• RapidID pre-installed barcodes: scan and map ports using Panduit RapidID software, eliminating documentation drift
• 24 AWG solid conductor construction: optimized for semi-permanent runs, not frequent flexing
• PoE++ rated: 2500 insertion cycles with IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 (100W), suitable for high-power PTZ cameras and WAPs
• 28-foot length: handles cross-aisle and inter-rack runs without excess slack coiling in cable managers
• Red jacket: standard for identifying camera VLANs, storage networks, or out-of-band management segments
• CM-rated: approved for general-purpose horizontal and riser runs (consult local code for plenum requirements)

The TX6A construction uses unshielded twisted pair (U/UTP) with solid foil tape limiting alien crosstalk—the dominant failure mode in high-density Cat 6A bundles. Unlike stranded patch cords optimized for user-area flexibility, this cable's 24 AWG solid conductors deliver lower insertion loss and better return loss stability over the 28-foot run, critical when you're already operating near the 10GBASE-T link budget on a 328-foot permanent link. The 0.250-inch (6.4 mm) diameter is standard for Cat 6A; it's thicker than Cat 6 but necessary to maintain the 500 MHz bandwidth and alien crosstalk margins. Panduit's tangle-free latch is a spring-loaded boot design that releases with thumb pressure but won't catch on adjacent cable boots when you're pulling one cord from a 48-port bundle—a small detail that saves hours during MACs (moves, adds, changes). The RapidID barcode is embedded in the connector boot, not a separate label that peels off; scan it during installation, and the RapidID software builds your port map automatically, flagging discrepancies between the physical layer and your intended logical topology.

Deploy this cord in datacenter cross-connects between distribution and access switches, server NIC uplinks where 10GBASE-T is replacing SFP+ for cost reasons, or surveillance NVR aggregation switches handling 20+ 4K camera streams per port. The 28-foot length bridges most aisle-to-aisle or top-of-rack to middle-of-adjacent-rack scenarios; it's long enough to route cleanly through overhead cable trays without tension, but short enough that you're not coiling 15 feet of slack in every vertical manager. The red jacket is a field-standard color code for isolating specific traffic types—commonly camera VLANs in surveillance installs, iSCSI storage networks in server rooms, or out-of-band management interfaces. Panduit rates this cord for 2500 insertion cycles when delivering PoE++ (802.3bt Type 4 = 100W), so it tolerates reasonably frequent repatching; contrast with cheaper cords rated for 750 cycles, which fail mechanically before the install reaches its first refresh cycle. If you're running PoE++ to high-power PTZ cameras or 802.11ax access points, the solid conductor and robust plug contact design ensure consistent DC resistance across the link—voltage drop is a real problem at 100W over 100 meters, and a flaky patch cord can push you over the edge.

Compliance: exceeds ANSI/TIA-568.2-D Category 6A and ISO 11801 Ed. 2.2 Class EA for permanent link performance, meets ANSI/TIA-1096-A (the successor to FCC Part 68) for modular plug mechanical and electrical specs, and conforms to IEC 60603-7 for RJ45 connector pinout and contact force. UL 1863 listed (Communications Circuit Accessories), RoHS compliant for lead-free solder and restricted substances. The CM jacket rating (UL 1685 vertical flame test) approves this cable for general-purpose horizontal cable runs and riser shafts; if your AHJ requires plenum-rated cable (CMP, UL 910), specify Panduit's CMP-jacket variant instead—this CM cord is not a substitute. Panduit's TX6A system is a go-to in enterprise and surveillance installations where alien crosstalk budgets, PoE++ power delivery, and 25-year warranty coverage (when installed per Panduit's guidelines with TX6A jacks and panels) are table stakes, not nice-to-haves.