100% pure bare annealed copper

Cat6 Ethernet cables typically use 100% pure bare annealed copper conductors to meet official networking standards, though lower-quality alternatives also exist on the market.

Conductor Material Types

• Pure Copper (Solid or Stranded): Official TIA/EIA standards and referenced guidelines (such as ANSI/ICEA S-102-732) require solid conductors for Category 6 and 6A cables to be made of commercially pure, annealed copper. Solid copper offers maximum conductivity, low resistance, better heat dissipation, and reliable performance.

Wire Gauge and Core Types

• Wire Gauge: Cat6 solid structured cabling usually employs 23 AWG (American Wire Gauge) pure copper conductors, while flexible patch cables often use 24 AWG stranded copper. 
• Solid vs. Stranded Core:
  • Solid core wires use a single piece of copper per conductor and are designed for permanent wall, ceiling, or long-distance conduit/vertical runs.
  • Stranded core wires use multiple fine strands of copper twisted together per conductor, providing the flexibility needed for shorter patch or fly leads.

  Why Pure Copper Matters

• Power over Ethernet (PoE): Pure copper handles higher current loads safely and avoids the resistance imbalances and transformer saturation risks associated with CCA wires. 
• Compliance & Certifications: CCA cables fail to meet TIA-568 standards and are often uncertified by safety organizations like UL or ETL.