Cat6A and Shielded RJ45 Connectors: What to Buy

Quick answer

For unshielded Cat6A (U/UTP), our pick is the ezEX48 Cat6A (202048J), a pass-through plug sold 100 to a jar that crimps with the EXO-EX die. For shielded Cat6A, our pick is the PoE+ 10Gig Shielded RJ45 Field Plug (106250). It needs no crimp tool, takes 26 to 23 AWG conductors in a 6.0 to 8.0 mm jacket, and is rated for Cat6, Cat6A and Cat7. For shielded Cat5e or Cat6 with a jacket up to 7.11 mm, use the Shielded EZ-RJ45 (100022C). A shielded run only works as a shielded run when the plug, the cable and the jack are all shielded and the system is grounded.

Unshielded or shielded: decide first

Cat6A comes in two kinds. Unshielded Cat6A (U/UTP) has no foil or braid. Shielded Cat6A has an overall foil (F/UTP) or a braid with foil around each pair (S/FTP). The plug has to match. An unshielded plug on shielded cable leaves the shield with nowhere to connect, and a shielded plug on unshielded cable adds nothing.

Our shielded vs unshielded RJ45 post covers when a job calls for shielding.

Connectors compared

Our picks, and who each one is for

Unshielded Cat6A: ezEX48 Cat6A (202048J)

The ezEX48 Cat6A is Platinum's ezEX pass-through plug for Cat6A. It is unshielded and comes 100 to a jar. It crimps with the EXO-EX die, the same die as the ezEX44 Cat6, so a crew that does both Cat6 and Cat6A needs one tool for both. In our catalog, the PTS PRO Universal and the ezEX crimp tool (100061C) both crimp it.

What it does not do: it is not a shielded plug. Do not use it on F/UTP or S/FTP cable. It does not crimp in the EZ-RJ45 die. Our Cat6A crimp failures post shows what happens when the die and plug do not match.

Shielded Cat6A, no crimper: PoE+ 10Gig Shielded RJ45 Field Plug (106250)

The PoE+ 10Gig Shielded RJ45 Field Plug is a shielded field plug that installs without a crimp tool. It takes 26 to 23 AWG conductors and a jacket from 6.0 to 8.0 mm, and it is rated for Cat6, Cat6A and Cat7. It is sold one per bag, which suits a few terminations at a time, such as a camera or access point on a shielded run.

What it does not do: it is not a bulk plug. For dozens of shielded terminations, look at the 10Gig kit below.

Shielded Cat5e and Cat6: Shielded EZ-RJ45 (100022C)

The Shielded EZ-RJ45 is the shielded member of the EZ-RJ45 family. It has an external ground, takes a jacket up to 7.11 mm, and is rated for Cat5e and Cat6. It comes 50 to a clamshell and crimps in the EZ-RJ45 die. In our catalog, the PTS PRO Universal crimps it.

It is rated for Cat5e and Cat6, so it is not our pick for Cat6A. Measure your jacket before you choose it.

Shielded Cat6, standard style: Shielded Cat6 two-piece plug (106205)

The 106205 is a standard two-piece shielded Cat6 plug with a liner, for round solid-conductor cable, sold 100 to a tray. It is not a pass-through plug. The conductors are flush cut and slid into the plug with its loading bar. Choose it if your crew terminates standard plugs and wants a shielded Cat6 plug in bulk.

What it does not do: it is not an EZ-RJ45 plug and does not crimp in the EZ-RJ45 or EXO-EX die. Ask us which crimp tool to use with it before you order.

The jack end: Cat6A Shielded Keystone Jack, Tool-less (751-1)

A shielded run needs a shielded jack at the wall or panel. The Cat6A Shielded Keystone Jack is tool-less, sold one per bag, takes 24 to 22 AWG conductors, and fits wall plates, surface boxes and unloaded patch panels. It is for shielded cable only. Our keystone install guide walks through the termination.

Shielded termination in volume: 10Gig Termination Kit (90170)

The 10Gig Termination Kit contains the Tele-TitanXG crimp tool (12515), a CT-360 ground crimper, a Cyclops 2 stripper, and 100 shielded plugs (106190). It is for crews terminating shielded plugs in quantity. It is not an ezEX kit; the plugs and tool are a different system from the ezEX48.

Grounding: the part the plug cannot do alone

A shielded plug only helps if the shield is continuous from end to end and bonded to ground. That means shielded cable, a shielded plug or jack at each end, the drain wire or foil dressed into the plug, and grounded equipment or a grounded panel. A shield that is not grounded can make noise problems worse. Our shielded STP termination guide and Cat6A shielded patch cable guide walk through it.

Connectors we do not sell

Siemon Z-PLUG and Stewart Connector shielded plugs are common choices on Cat6A jobs. We do not sell them. If your project specification names a connector system, follow the spec.

How to choose

1. Shielded or not. Match the plug to the cable. Unshielded Cat6A takes the ezEX48. Shielded cable takes a shielded plug.
2. Measure the jacket and the conductor. The 106250 takes 6.0 to 8.0 mm and 26 to 23 AWG. The 100022C takes up to 7.11 mm.
3. Check the category rating. For Cat6A, the 106250 (shielded) and the ezEX48 (unshielded) are the Cat6A-rated plugs on this list. The 100022C is rated for Cat5e and Cat6.
4. Match the die, or skip it. ezEX48 needs the EXO-EX die. 100022C needs the EZ-RJ45 die. The 106250 and the 751-1 jack need no crimp or punch tool.
5. Volume. One or two terminations: the 106250 field plug, sold one per bag. Dozens: a plug sold by the jar or tray, or the 10Gig kit.

Related reading

• How to Terminate Shielded STP Cable
• Shielded vs Unshielded RJ45: When to Use Each
• RJ45 Connectors for Cat6: Which Pass-Through Plug and Which Tool