Panduit NK6APC3M NetKey Cat 6A UTP Patch Cord

The Panduit NK6APC3M is a 3-meter Cat 6A UTP patch cord engineered for high-density datacenter and enterprise network deployments. Built with 26 AWG stranded copper conductors and Panduit's patented tangle-free latch design, this cord delivers 10GBASE-T performance up to 500 MHz while simplifying moves, adds, and changes in rack and structured cabling environments. The slender strain relief boot and off-white jacket provide easy identification and cable management in crowded patch fields. Rated CM/LSZH for plenum-equivalent fire safety and cULus listed, this patch cord meets ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 Category 6A and ISO 11801 Class EA channel requirements, supporting PoE++ (802.3bt Type 3/4) applications at full rated current.

Key Features

• Cat 6A performance to 500 MHz — supports 10GBASE-T, 2.5/5GBASE-T, and legacy 1000BASE-T without re-cabling
• Patented tangle-free latch prevents snags during installation and removal, reducing technician time in high-density racks
• 26 AWG stranded construction — flexible yet durable for repeated flexing in patch panel and switch port applications
• Slender strain relief boot fits tight spaces; off-white jacket aids visual tracing in multi-vendor environments
• Supports IEEE 802.3af/at/bt PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ (Type 3/4) — delivers up to 90W for access points, PTZ cameras, and LED lighting
• CM/LSZH flammability rating — low smoke, zero halogen for improved fire safety in occupied spaces and international deployments
• 100% factory tested for wiremap, NEXT, and return loss — ships ready to deploy with guaranteed performance
• Gold-plated contacts (50 microinches) resist corrosion and maintain signal integrity over thousands of insertion cycles
• Compatible with T568A and T568B wiring schemes — universal fit for existing structured cabling infrastructure

High-density switch and patch panel installations demand patch cords that deliver performance without compromising accessibility. The NK6APC3M's tangle-free latch uses a low-profile release mechanism that prevents the latch from catching on adjacent cables during removal — a common failure point in 48-port 1U switches and high-density fiber/copper hybrid racks. The 26 AWG stranded conductors provide the flexibility needed for tight-radius bends behind patch panels while maintaining the pair geometry required for Cat 6A channel compliance. Unlike solid-conductor patch cords that crack under repeated flexing, stranded construction tolerates hundreds of connect/disconnect cycles without performance degradation. The slender boot design reduces the footprint per port, allowing full population of 48-port switches without blocking adjacent RJ45 jacks — critical in blade server, top-of-rack, and aggregation switch deployments.

The NK6APC3M meets ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 Category 6A component requirements and exceeds Class EA channel specs when used with Panduit keystone jacks and patch panels. This compliance ensures headroom for 10GBASE-T at the full 100-meter channel length, even in electrically noisy environments with high alien crosstalk. The U/UTP (unshielded) construction simplifies grounding — no need for shielded jacks or bonding straps — while the CM/LSZH jacket meets NEC and IEC fire-safety standards for commercial buildings and international projects. PoE++ (802.3bt Type 4) support allows this cord to carry up to 90W for high-power devices like multi-radio access points, building automation controllers, and PoE-powered PTZ cameras with heaters, eliminating the need for separate AC drops.

Exceeds ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 Category 6A and ISO 11801 Class EA requirements. Supports IEEE 802.3af/at/bt PoE applications. cULus Listed per UL 1863 and CSA C22.2. RoHS compliant. Why choose the NK6APC3M: when you need certified 10G performance in a patch cord that installs quickly, tolerates daily handling, and fits the tightest rack spaces without blocking adjacent ports, this is the cord that installers spec for projects where downtime isn't an option.