Cat6A Ethernet Bulk Cable 500 ft - Shielded 10G Solid Pure Copper

In this review the focus is on a bulk Ethernet cable built for performance and compliance. The Monoprice Cat6A CMR 500 ft reel delivers a solid, pure bare copper conductor and full metal shielding tailored to server rooms, PoE devices, and HD video streaming. The single biggest reason to buy is reliability: tested to 550MHz with a riser fire rating and TAA/UL compliance, this cable is a practical choice when you need on-site terminations and worry-free long runs rather than pre-terminated patch cords.

Key Features

• Shielding: Overall metal foil shielding (F/UTP) reduces EMI and helps preserve signal integrity in electrically noisy environments.
• Conductor: 23AWG solid, 100% pure bare copper conductors provide consistent performance for long permanent links and reduce attenuation.
• Bandwidth: Performance tested to 550MHz, which supports 10G and high-bandwidth applications such as cloud services and video surveillance.
• Fire rating: CMR (Riser) rating and UL Code 444 compliance make it suitable for vertical runs in building risers where fire safety standards apply.
• Packaging: 500 ft reel-in-box with length markings makes dispensing and cutting to custom lengths simple and reduces waste on installation jobs.
• Standards: Compliant with ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 and compatible with IEEE PoE and PoE+ standards for powered devices.

Who It's For

This cable is aimed at installers and IT professionals who terminate cables on-site and need a reliable solid conductor for permanent links in offices, server closets, and security-camera deployments. It is also useful for system integrators assembling structured cabling where shielding and riser-rated jacket are required.

It is not for users who prefer pre-terminated patch cables or need flexible stranded patch cords for frequent moves; for patch panels, wall jacks, and long permanent runs this product is appropriate, but for short, portable connections a stranded patch cable would be a better fit.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid pure copper conductors deliver stable, low-loss links ideal for 10G and long runs.
• Overall foil shielding helps protect sensitive links from EMI in crowded cable pathways.
• CMR riser rating and UL/TAA compliance meet building and procurement requirements for many installations.
• 500 ft reel with length markings speeds installs and reduces trips back to the supply room.

Cons

• Being a solid 23AWG bulk cable, it is not flexible like stranded patch cord and requires proper termination tools and technique.
• Shielded cables need careful grounding and connector selection, which adds small installation complexity.

Specifications

Type	Shielded Twisted Pair (F/UTP) Category 6A
Conductor	23AWG solid, 100% pure bare copper
Bandwidth	Tested to 550MHz
Length	500 ft reel-in-box with length markings
Fire rating	CMR (Riser) - UL Code 444 compliant
Standards	ANSI/TIA-568-C.2, IEEE PoE / PoE+ compatible
Compliance	TAA and RoHS compliant

Our Verdict

The Monoprice Cat6A CMR 500 ft bulk cable is a solid choice for professionals who need a compliant, shielded, long-run cable that supports 10G and PoE applications. It represents good value when on-site termination and riser-rated cable are required, offering consistent electrical performance and useful packaging for real installs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this cable suitable for 10G networking?
Yes, it is Category 6A and tested to 550MHz, suitable for 10GBASE-T over appropriate link lengths when properly terminated.

Can I use this for PoE devices?
Yes, the cable is compatible with IEEE 802.3af (PoE) and 802.3at (PoE+) standards.

Do I need special connectors for the shielded cable?
You should use shielded connectors and ensure proper grounding of the shield to maintain EMI protection.