Introduction

CAT6 U/UTP slimline datacenter ethernet cables are smaller in diameter (3.8mm vs 5.9mm) than regular CAT 6 patch cords and the bending radius is lower in compare with regular patchcords. All this results in a better airflow in the cabinet.

Altough ISO/IEC and the TIA standards describe the use of patch cords between 22 and 26 AWG it's possible to use 28 AWG patchcables but this will result in a higher attenuation, particularly at higher frequencies.

ACT therefore recommends a shorter permanent link length than with regular 24 AWG patchcords to accommodate this higher attenuation.

ACT advise a maximum bundle size of 24 cables in PoE applications to assist in limiting the temperature increases in the cables associated with delivering PoE deployments. Current standards (ANSI TSB-184-A)
work limits the maximum temperature increase to less than 15 degrees Celsius above ambient for the centre cable in a bundle.