Panduit NK6APC3GR NetKey Cat 6A 3 ft UTP Patch Cord
The Panduit NK6APC3GR is a 3-foot Cat 6A unshielded twisted pair patch cord engineered for 10GBASE-T Ethernet deployments in datacenters, server rooms, and high-density network environments. Built with 26 AWG stranded conductors and terminated with Panduit's enhanced performance modular plugs, this patch cord delivers reliable 10 Gbps performance across all frequencies from 1 to 500 MHz while exceeding ANSI/TIA-568.2-D Category 6A and ISO 11801 Class EA standards. The patented tangle-free latch and slender strain relief boot make this an ideal choice for frequent moves, adds, and changes in congested patch panels and switch ports.
Key Features
- Cat 6A performance — supports 10GBASE-T Ethernet up to 500 MHz for datacenter backbone aggregation and server virtualization
- Patented tangle-free latch — prevents snags during installation and provides easy one-handed release in tight spaces
- Slender strain relief boot — allows maximum port density and easy access in high-density patch panels and switch arrays
- 26 AWG stranded construction — flexible cable body ideal for frequent reconnections and tight bend radius applications
- 100% factory tested — every cord tested for wiremap, NEXT, and return loss to ensure out-of-the-box performance
- PoE++ ready — supports IEEE 802.3af, 802.3at, and 802.3bt Type 3/4 for high-power devices up to 90W
- Color-coded design — green jacket simplifies network segmentation and VLAN identification in complex installations
The NK6APC3GR's U/UTP cable construction and enhanced performance plugs deliver the channel headroom required for 10 Gbps Ethernet over copper while maintaining backward compatibility with Cat 6, Cat 5e, and legacy 1 Gbps networks. The integral pair manager inside each modular plug maintains precise pair geometry throughout the termination, reducing crosstalk and ensuring consistent performance across the entire 500 MHz frequency range. The CM/LSZH flammability rating meets building code requirements for plenum-equivalent installations, and the stranded 26 AWG conductors provide the flexibility needed for tight routing paths behind racks and through cable management arms without sacrificing electrical performance.
Designed for datacenter I/O consolidation, parallel processing clusters, and virtualized server environments, this 3-foot length is ideal for top-of-rack switch connections, blade server interconnects, and patch panel-to-switch runs where minimizing cable slack improves airflow and simplifies troubleshooting. The tangle-free latch design eliminates the snagging and breakage common with traditional RJ45 latches — a critical advantage when working in densely populated 48-port switches or 1U patch panels where adjacent cables and cable managers create constant interference. The slender boot profile reduces the footprint at the connector, allowing installers to achieve full port population even in switches with recessed jack housings or when using angled patch panels. Integrators working on Cisco UCS, Dell PowerEdge, HPE ProLiant, or Supermicro deployments will appreciate the wired-for-both-standards compatibility (T568A/T568B), enabling seamless integration regardless of the existing infrastructure's wiring scheme.
Every NetKey Cat 6A patch cord ships with test results confirming compliance with ANSI/TIA-568.2-D, ISO 11801 Class EA, and IEC 60603-7 standards, backed by UL 1863 and CSA C22.2 certifications. The RoHS-compliant construction meets environmental regulations for IT equipment, and the IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 PoE support future-proofs installations for next-generation powered devices including Wi-Fi 6E access points, IP cameras with integrated analytics, VoIP phones, and PoE lighting controllers. For integrators managing multi-vendor environments, the green color coding provides instant visual identification — critical when managing VLANs, segregating traffic types, or implementing defense-in-depth network segmentation strategies. Whether you're building out a new datacenter, refreshing aging Cat 5e infrastructure, or supporting high-density compute clusters, the Panduit NK6APC3GR delivers the performance, reliability, and installation efficiency that commercial IT and datacenter professionals demand.
