Liberty AV 24-4P-P-L6-EN-BLK 1000 ft Reel of Cat6 U/UTP EN Series 23 AWG 4 Pair Unshielded Cable

Product Overview

The Liberty AV 24-4P-P-L6-EN-BLK is a 1000-foot reel of Category 6 U/UTP EN Series plenum-rated cable for commercial network and AV infrastructure in air-handling spaces. Using 23 AWG solid annealed bare copper conductors and a fluoropolymer insulation system, this cable delivers verified Cat6 performance to 550 MHz with a positive ACR specification. The NEC CMP and CEC CMP FT6 plenum ratings allow installation in return-air ceiling plenums without conduit, meeting NEC Article 800 fire code requirements. Third-party UL and ETL certification confirms ANSI/TIA-568-C Category 6 compliance for commercial specification projects.

Product Description

The EN Series designation indicates this cable is built to a higher standard than commodity plenum Cat6, using fluoropolymer (FEP) insulation rather than standard HDPE. Fluoropolymer provides superior dielectric stability across the cable's operating temperature range, lower capacitance values, and consistent impedance characteristics that support reliable signal transmission at Cat6 frequencies through longer runs and in higher-temperature plenum environments. The 23 AWG solid copper conductors deliver low DC resistance and meet the insertion loss requirements for full 100-meter horizontal channels.

Four twisted pairs are cabled on a common axis using varying lay lengths to control alien crosstalk between pairs. Each pair sits in a fluoropolymer X-separator interstice that maintains pair geometry and prevents pair-to-pair contact during cable flexing. Color striping on white conductors follows TIA-568 pair color conventions (orange, blue, green, brown) for consistent identification during termination. A ripcord under the jacket enables controlled jacket removal without damaging the conductor insulation. The final outside diameter of 0.220 inches supports standard Cat6 installation hardware and meets typical conduit fill calculations for commercial structured cabling projects.

DC resistance is rated at 20.12 Ω/1000 ft or less, with a DCR unbalance of 5.0% maximum. Impedance is 100 ± 15 Ω across the operating frequency range. Propagation delay skew is 45 ns/100m maximum, and velocity of propagation is 71%. The cable is rated for 300V and 1.4A maximum current at 25°C. The black jacket is the standard color for this cable in Liberty AV's EN Series lineup, suitable for installations that follow a black-for-horizontal-data color convention.

Key Features

• 23 AWG Solid Annealed Bare Copper — Low DC resistance (≤20.12 Ω/1000 ft) supports full 100-meter horizontal channels per TIA-568.
• Fluoropolymer (FEP) Insulation — Superior dielectric stability and lower capacitance (14.0 pF/ft) compared to HDPE, supporting reliable high-frequency performance in plenum temperature environments.
• Cat6 Verified to 550 MHz — Tested to 550 MHz with positive ACR specification, exceeding the 250 MHz minimum for ANSI/TIA-568-C Category 6.
• Fluoropolymer X-Separator — Maintains pair geometry and pair-to-pair separation throughout the cable run, improving crosstalk performance.
• Varying Lay Twisted Pairs — Each of the four pairs uses a different twist rate to minimize near-end and alien crosstalk between pairs.
• NEC CMP Plenum Rating — Approved for open air-handling plenum installation without conduit per NEC Article 800.
• CEC CMP FT6 Rated — Satisfies Canadian Electrical Code requirements for plenum cable installations.
• Ripcord Under Jacket — Enables clean jacket removal without risk of cutting into conductor insulation during field termination.
• Third-Party Certified (UL/ETL) — Independently verified to ANSI/TIA-568-C Category 6 performance standards.
• 1000-Foot Bulk Reel — Standard commercial structured cabling format for large floor-plate deployments.

Typical Applications

• Boardroom
• Conference Room
• Huddle Room
• House of Worship
• Government Space
• Commercial Meeting Space
• Multi-Purpose Room
• All-Hands Room
• Training Room
• Broadcast Studio
• Auditorium

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the EN Series designation mean for this Cat6 cable?

The EN Series designation indicates that this cable uses fluoropolymer (FEP) conductor insulation rather than the standard HDPE used in commodity Cat6 cable. Fluoropolymer provides more stable dielectric properties across temperature ranges, lower capacitance, and better performance consistency in plenum environments. EN Series cables are designed for commercial specifications that require a step above minimum-pass Cat6 performance.

What is the difference between this U/UTP Cat6 plenum cable and the shielded STP version (24-4P-L6SH-BLK)?

This cable (24-4P-P-L6-EN-BLK) is unshielded U/UTP with NEC CMP plenum rating, appropriate for plenum ceiling installations without conduit. The shielded version (24-4P-L6SH-BLK) has a foil shield for EMI rejection but carries only a CMR riser rating, requiring conduit in plenum spaces. Choose based on whether your installation is in a plenum space (use this cable) or requires shielded performance in a riser or non-plenum environment (use the STP version).

Does this cable support PoE, PoE+, and 4PPoE (IEEE 802.3bt)?

Yes. The 23 AWG solid copper conductors support PoE (15.4W), PoE+ (30W), and 4PPoE/IEEE 802.3bt (up to 90W per port) within the current-handling limits for Category 6 cable. The solid copper construction minimizes resistive heating at higher power levels. For high-density PoE deployments, ensure adequate conduit fill and cable separation to manage heat dissipation.

What is the maximum run length for this cable?

Per ANSI/TIA-568-C, the maximum horizontal channel length is 100 meters (328 feet), including patch cords at both ends. The permanent link (cable run without patch cords) is limited to 90 meters (295 feet). These limits apply to 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet and HDBaseT installations. Some HDBaseT extenders may specify shorter maximum distances; consult the extender manufacturer's requirements.

Why is CMP plenum rating required for cable in commercial building ceilings?

Most commercial building ceilings above the tile are used as return-air plenums—the HVAC system circulates conditioned air through that space back to the air handlers. NEC Article 800 requires CMP-rated cable in these spaces because non-plenum PVC jackets release toxic gases when burned, which would enter the air circulation system. CMP jacket compounds are formulated to resist flame propagation and minimize toxic smoke in a fire event.

Is this cable suitable for HDBaseT AV distribution?

Yes. HDBaseT specifies Cat6 or better cable for its standard 100-meter range. This cable meets ANSI/TIA-568-C Category 6 requirements, making it appropriate for HDBaseT extenders, matrix switchers, and AV over IP systems that specify Cat6 cabling. Confirm with the specific HDBaseT product manufacturer whether shielded or unshielded cable is recommended for your installation environment.

How should plenum cable be handled and installed?

Condition plenum cable at room temperature for at least 24 hours before installation. Do not install in ambient temperatures below 32°F (0°C), as cold temperatures reduce jacket flexibility and increase the risk of insulation damage during pulls. Do not exceed the 25 lb (111 N) maximum pull tension. Maintain the 4.40" (112 mm) minimum bend radius during installation to prevent kinking that could damage the internal pair geometry.

What third-party certifications does this cable carry?

The 24-4P-P-L6-EN-BLK is independently certified by UL and ETL to ANSI/TIA-568-C Category 6 performance standards. Third-party certification provides documentation for commercial project submittals and ensures the cable meets the specification rather than relying on manufacturer self-testing.