Molex CES releases new Category 6A 28 AWG Slim Shielded Patch Cords

Molex CES releases new PowerCat C6A 28 AWG Slim Shielded Patch Cords. Most C6A shielded copper patch cords in the market are manufactured from 23-26 AWG stranded cable. With a wire gauge of this size a typical C6A shielded patch cord has a nominal outer diameter of between 6mm/0.225” to 6.9mm/0.275”, but C6A shielded patch cords manufactured from 28 AWG stranded cable are significantly lower in outer diameter.

The reduction in cable diameter has appreciable advantages leading to the increased popularity of these cords in recent years because congested telecommunication rooms and data centers are a real headache for many IT managers, due to the challenge of a “spaghetti” of patch cord bulk to be managed when so many ports are installed. Patch cord congestion makes moves, adds and changes time consuming and expensive.

Molex PowerCat C6A 28 AWG Slim shielded patch cords have an outer diameter of 5.2mm/0.20” offering a minimum of 20% space saving in cable management panels compared with the standard Molex PowerCat 6A 26 AWG Shielded Patch Cords. 

The deployment of 28 AWG cords requires users to be aware of a de-rated channel length when installing these cords in a channel, due to the impact on signal performance of an increase in D.C. resistance and insertion loss as a result of the low wire gauge. A maximum of 10m/32ft of Molex PowerCat C6A 28 AWG Slim shielded patch cordage can be installed in a channel length of 92.5m/303ft (de-rating factor 1.95 compliant with ANSI/TIA-568.2-D). 

The advantages of deploying the lower wire gauge however outweigh the de-rating considerations particularly in data centers where permanent link lengths can be well below 90m. Molex PowerCat C6A 28 AWG Slim shielded patch cords offer:-

• Convenient access to the patch plug because there is space for fingers as well as space for routing the cords
• Better port identification visibility
• Improved airflow, reducing heat build-up which is important when large switches are installed
• Less congestion in cable management panels
• Less downtime for moves, adds and changes

Molex Slim shielded patch cords are manufactured from high quality, high performance C6A shielded cable, RJ45 shielded plugs and low-profile, stain-relief boot. The assemblies are fully factory tested for assured Category 6A channel performance.

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