Paige Electric 710648AWT Cat 6a SOL Riser Cable
Overview
The Paige Electric 710648AWT is a Cat 6a solid conductor riser cable supplied on a 1000-foot spool with white PVC jacket. This cable is purpose-built for vertical cable runs in commercial building risers and walls where building code requires riser-rated fire safety performance. The solid copper conductor construction provides the electrical characteristics needed for reliable Gigabit Ethernet and PoE delivery over standard distances (100 meters / 328 feet per IEEE 802.3). Unlike plenum-rated cable, which is significantly more expensive, riser-rated cable is the correct choice when your run is in a riser space but not in a return-air plenum — a distinction that matters for both compliance and cost.
Key Features
- Solid Copper Conductors: Solid conductors (as opposed to stranded) provide lower attenuation and better propagation delay characteristics — critical for maintaining signal integrity over longer runs and ensuring PoE power delivery doesn't degrade at the termination point.
- Cat 6a Specification: Supports up to 10 Gbps Ethernet over 55 meters and Gigabit Ethernet over the full 100-meter channel. If you're deploying Gigabit IP cameras or multi-camera NVR systems, Cat 6a ensures headroom and future-proofs against bandwidth surprises as PoE+ and PoE++ powered devices become standard.
- Riser-Rated (UL 1666 Compliance): Fire performance rating means this cable can be installed in vertical runs through building risers without conduit, provided the space is not a plenum. Verify with your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) or fire marshal — code requirements vary by jurisdiction and building class.
- White PVC Jacket: The white exterior blends into most commercial ceiling and wall environments. PVC is UV-resistant indoors and rated for indoor dry/damp riser environments — not suitable for outdoor or direct-sunlight exposure.
- 1000-Foot Spool: Full reel format minimizes waste and simplifies logistics for multi-floor vertical installations. Reduces the number of spools and associated spooling hardware needed for large-scale deployments.
- Standard Termination Compatibility: Works with all industry-standard Cat 6a patch panels, RJ-45 wall jacks, and termination blocks. No proprietary hardware or special tooling required — any structured-cabling technician can terminate the 710648AWT using standard punch-down tools.
Integration & Compatibility
The 710648AWT integrates into existing structured cabling infrastructure without modification. It is compatible with standard Cat 6a patch panels, keystones, and wall-mount distribution frames. When paired with PoE-powered IP cameras or access control readers, the solid conductor design ensures voltage drop remains within acceptable limits (per IEEE 802.3af/at/bt). If you are planning a network video recorder (NVR) installation or IP camera deployment across multiple floors, the riser rating removes the need for expensive plenum-rated segments in non-plenum vertical spaces, yielding meaningful per-foot savings on large projects.
For structured cabling best practices, this cable should be used in runs where the maximum channel length (100 meters including patch cords) is respected. Do not exceed 90 meters of permanent link (cable run) to leave headroom for patch cords at both ends.
When to Choose a Different Model
If your vertical run passes through a return-air plenum (common in office buildings with drop ceilings), you must upgrade to a plenum-rated Cat 6a cable — the 710648AWT riser rating will not satisfy code in plenum spaces. If you require outdoor or UV-exposed routing, riser cable is not suitable; consult with your cable supplier for direct-burial or outdoor-rated alternatives. For runs under 50 meters in non-critical PoE applications, Cat 6 (non-a) will reduce cost, though Cat 6a offers future flexibility at modest price premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the Paige Electric 710648AWT in a plenum space?
A: No. Riser-rated cable is not code-compliant for plenum (return-air) spaces. Plenum cable has different fire performance requirements and must be used in plenum applications. Verify your space classification with your building code official or fire marshal before installation.
Q: What is the maximum distance I can run the 710648AWT without signal loss?
A: Cat 6a supports Gigabit Ethernet over 100 meters (328 feet) per IEEE 802.3. For PoE applications, voltage drop becomes a consideration — solid conductors minimize this, but runs approaching 100 meters may experience measurable voltage drop on high-power devices. Stay within 90 meters of permanent link to leave margin for patch cords.
Q: Is this cable suitable for PoE and PoE+ powered devices?
A: Yes. Solid copper Cat 6a conductors handle both 802.3af (PoE, ~13W) and 802.3at (PoE+, ~30W) without issue over standard distances. PoE++ (802.3bt) is supported, but voltage drop on very long runs with high-power draws may require conditioning — verify power budget for your specific devices.
Q: Can I terminate the 710648AWT with standard RJ-45 crimp tools?
A: Yes. Use standard Cat 6a or Cat 6 crimpers and RJ-45 connectors rated for solid-conductor cable. Stranded-only crimpers may not seat solid conductors properly — ensure your tooling is marked for solid-conductor use.
Q: What is the difference between riser and plenum cable, and why does it matter for cost?
A: Plenum cable uses low-smoke, halogen-free (LSZH) materials to meet fire codes for air-return spaces. Riser cable uses standard PVC and is rated for vertical runs in non-plenum cavities. Plenum is 3–5× more expensive per foot. Using riser in non-plenum spaces and plenum only where code requires saves thousands on large deployments.
Q: Is the 710648AWT white jacket suitable for indoor and outdoor use?
A: This cable is rated for indoor use only. PVC jackets are not UV-hardened for direct sunlight or outdoor exposure. For outdoor or exposed runs, specify UV-rated cable variants from the manufacturer.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Paige Electric 710648AWT is the right choice for vertical riser installations where building code mandates riser-rated cable but you are not in a plenum return-air space. The solid copper conductor construction is the key differentiator here — it ensures that voltage drop over longer runs stays within acceptable limits for PoE-powered devices like IP cameras and access readers, and it provides the impedance consistency needed for clean 10 Gbps Ethernet signaling if you ever need to upgrade.
Technical Highlights:
- Solid Copper vs. Stranded: Solid conductors reduce attenuation by roughly 5–8% compared to stranded Cat 6a of the same gauge, and they minimize contact resistance at termination points — critical when you're delivering 30W+ via PoE+ over 80–100 meters.
- UL 1666 Riser Rating: Fire performance compliance eliminates the need for expensive conduit or plenum-rated cable in vertical non-plenum runs — on a 10-story building with multiple risers, this rating saves $3,000–$8,000 in material and labor compared to universal plenum specifications.
- 1000-Foot Spool Format: A single reel handles most multi-floor vertical segments without splicing, reducing failure points and termination complexity. Spool form also simplifies inventory and logistics on large commercial projects.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify your riser space is NOT a plenum return-air duct — if it is, you must use plenum-rated cable. This is a code issue, not a technical one, but it's the most common gotcha on retrofit or expansion projects.
- Solid conductors are less flexible than stranded — tight bends or repeated flexing can cause conductor fatigue. Route carefully during installation and avoid pulling tension after termination.
- Do not exceed 90 meters of permanent link (710648AWT cable only, excluding patch cords) if you are running high-power PoE devices near the far end — voltage drop can reduce available power by 10–15V on 100-meter runs with 30W+ draws.
Position the 710648AWT for any multi-floor commercial security camera, access control, or data network rollout where the vertical route is confirmed to be riser (not plenum) and where you need code compliance without the cost and complexity of full plenum specifications. The solid conductor and 1000-foot spool format make it the practical backbone for large-scale vertical structured cabling projects.
