Panduit NK6APC5BU NetKey Cat 6A UTP Patch Cord

The Panduit NK6APC5BU delivers Cat 6A performance in a 5-foot UTP patch cord engineered for high-density IP surveillance and access control installations. Built with 26 AWG stranded conductors and CM/LSZH jacketing, this patch cord supports PoE applications up to IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 (90W) while maintaining swept-frequency performance to 500 MHz. The patented tangle-free latch and slender strain relief boot solve the cable-management challenges integrators face in crowded patch panels and network closets.

Key Features

• Cat 6A performance tested to 500 MHz — exceeds ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 and ISO 11801 Class EA requirements for 10GBASE-T Ethernet
• PoE++ ready — supports IEEE 802.3af/at and proposed 802.3bt Type 3/4 applications delivering up to 90W for PTZ cameras and multi-radio access points
• Tangle-free latch design — patented release mechanism prevents snags during moves, adds, and changes in tight spaces
• LSZH jacket — CM/LSZH flammability rating meets plenum and datacenter requirements for low smoke and zero halogen emissions
• 26 AWG stranded construction — flexible enough for repeated patching while maintaining pair geometry and return loss performance
• 50-microinch gold plating — contact durability through 750+ insertion cycles without oxidation-induced bit errors

High-density surveillance installations demand patch cords that won't fail under the mechanical stress of frequent re-patching. The NK6APC5BU's stranded 26 AWG conductors provide the flex life needed for work-area outlets and patch-panel connections, while the integral pair manager inside each modular plug maintains the 100-ohm impedance balance required for clean 10GBASE-T signaling. Every cord is factory-tested for wiremap, NEXT, and return loss — eliminating the guesswork when troubleshooting intermittent link failures on PoE-powered cameras.

PoE compatibility extends beyond the 802.3at 25.5W ceiling — the NK6APC5BU's conductor gauge and contact resistance support the proposed 802.3bt Type 3 (60W) and Type 4 (90W) power classes without exceeding the channel's voltage-drop budget. This headroom matters when deploying PTZ cameras with IR illuminators, multi-sensor panoramic cameras, or 802.11ax access points that pull 40W+ under full load. The U/UTP construction (unshielded twisted pair) is appropriate for environments where alien crosstalk isn't a concern — typically anything under 45 meters in a structured cabling system with proper cable separation.

The slender strain relief boot and tangle-free latch aren't cosmetic — they're mechanical solutions to real field problems. Standard patch-cord latches snag on adjacent cables when you're trying to trace a connection in a 96-port panel. Panduit's latch geometry allows single-hand release without the need for a dental pick or screwdriver. The boot's reduced diameter means you can route cables through 1U horizontal managers without fighting the plastic overmold, and the blue jacket makes visual tracing straightforward when you're working in a multi-vendor environment where color-coding distinguishes IP camera VLANs from data traffic.

Compliant with ANSI/TIA-1096-A (formerly FCC Part 68), IEC 60603-7, and cULus listed under UL 1863. The NK6APC5BU is compatible with both T568A and T568B wiring schemes, making it suitable for retrofit projects where you're inheriting an existing structured cabling standard. RoHS compliant. Ships in cartons of 10 for volume deployments.