Panduit NK6APC1GY NetKey Category 6A Patch Cord

The Panduit NK6APC1GY is a 1-foot Category 6A copper patch cord engineered for high-density network rack interconnects where space is tight and performance can't be compromised. Built with 26 AWG stranded conductors and dual CM/LSZH fire rating, this gray UTP cable delivers 10GBASE-T Ethernet performance while meeting strict plenum-equivalent and low-smoke requirements for commercial installations. Sold in 10-pack cartons, it's sized for integrators provisioning patch panels, top-of-rack switches, and structured cabling systems that demand certified Category 6A performance at every link.

Key Features

Category 6A Performance: Exceeds ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 and ISO 11801 Class EA channel requirements, supporting 10GBASE-T Ethernet up to 100 meters without performance degradation.

PoE++ Ready: Tested to IEEE 802.3af/at and proposed 802.3bt type 3/type 4 standards, delivering up to 90W+ over four pairs for high-power IP cameras, wireless APs, and thin clients.

CM/LSZH Dual Rating: Meets both NEC CM (communications riser) and IEC low-smoke zero-halogen standards, reducing toxic fume risk in occupied spaces and fire-sensitive environments.

26 AWG Stranded Construction: Stranded copper conductors provide flexibility for tight bend-radius routing in high-density patch panels and switch cabinets without conductor fatigue.

1-Foot Optimized Length: Short-length design minimizes cable slack in organized racks, reducing airflow obstruction and simplifying moves/adds/changes in structured cabling closets.

Factory-Terminated RJ45 Plugs: Modular plugs on both ends are terminated to Panduit's factory QC standards, eliminating field termination errors and ensuring consistent insertion loss.

Category 6A patch cords occupy a critical role in 10-gigabit Ethernet deployments—they're the last three feet of a channel that must maintain 500 MHz bandwidth end-to-end. The NK6APC1GY's F/UTP construction and stranded 26 AWG conductors are spec'd to handle the mechanical stress of repeated plugging cycles in live production racks without degrading pair balance or return loss. The CM/LSZH jacket is a practical choice for installations where plenum-rated cable isn't required but fire marshals or facility managers demand reduced smoke emission—think equipment rooms adjacent to occupied floors, healthcare IT closets, or hybrid office/warehouse spaces. At 1 foot, this cord is dimensioned for patch-panel-to-switch hops in vertically organized racks, or switch-to-switch stacking interconnects where 3-foot and 5-foot lengths create service-loop clutter that blocks airflow and hides port LEDs.

Panduit's NetKey platform is engineered as a system—the NK6APC1GY shares the same modular plug geometry and pair-twist spec as Panduit's Category 6A keystone jacks and field-term plugs, so integrators can confidently mix patch cords, horizontal cable, and consolidation-point hardware without worrying about impedance mismatches at the component interface. The stranded conductor design trades a small amount of insertion loss versus solid-conductor horizontal cable (an acceptable tradeoff over 1 foot) for significant gains in flexibility and fatigue resistance. For PoE++ deployments pushing 60–90 watts, that stranded construction also improves thermal dissipation across the four pairs compared to solid conductors of the same gauge. The 10-pack carton quantity aligns with typical patch-panel port counts (12, 24, 48) and lets you stock a uniform SKU for an entire rack without overbuy.

This cord is cULus Listed to UL 1863 and CSA C22.2, RoHS compliant, and ships with test performance documentation traceable to ANSI/TIA-1096-A (modular plug transmission performance). It exceeds the component requirements of TIA-568-C.2 Category 6A and meets IEC 60603-7 mechanical durability specs—750+ insertion cycles at the modular interface. For integrators provisioning IP surveillance networks, access control panels, or high-density wireless backhaul, the NK6APC1GY delivers the certified 10-gigabit performance and PoE++ power handling you need in the exact length that keeps your rack clean, your airflow unobstructed, and your MAC work efficient.