Quick Answer
Why Cat6A Termination Is Different
If you can crimp a Cat5e or Cat6 cable, you have the fundamentals. But Cat6A introduces physical differences that change the tools you need, the strip length you use, and how you handle the internal cable structure. Trying to terminate Cat6A with Cat6 tools and techniques is the number one reason Cat6A crimps fail.
Thicker Cable
Cat6A cable has an outer diameter of 7.5 to 8mm compared to about 6mm for Cat6 and 5.5mm for Cat5e. This means your cable stripper must be rated for the larger diameter, and connectors must have internal channels wide enough for the bigger cable body.
Larger Conductors
Cat6A often uses 23 AWG conductors (same gauge as Cat6) but with thicker insulation, and some manufacturers use 22 AWG. Standard Cat6 connectors designed for Cat6's conductor geometry physically cannot seat Cat6A conductors properly.
Internal Separator
Cat6A cable contains a plastic cross-shaped separator (spline) between the four twisted pairs. This separator is critical for the cable's 500 MHz bandwidth, but it must be removed or trimmed before termination. Cat5e has no separator, and only some Cat6 cables include one.
Tighter Tolerances
Cat6A supports 10-Gigabit Ethernet at 100 meters, which means termination quality directly affects whether the link performs at 10G or falls back to 1G. Slight issues that would pass on Cat5e can fail on Cat6A.
What You Need
Cat6A termination requires Cat6A-specific tools and connectors. Using Cat6 equipment on Cat6A cable is the most common source of failures. Here is what you need and why each component matters.
Cat6A Connectors
The ezEX48 is a pass-through connector built specifically for Cat6A cable. Its internal channels are sized for Cat6A's larger conductors and thicker insulation. For shielded Cat6A installations, the Cat6A/7 Shielded Connector adds full EMI protection. Do not use Cat6 connectors on Cat6A cable.
Crimp Tool with Correct Die
The ezEX48 connector requires a crimp tool with the EXO-EX die, not a standard EZ-RJ45 die. The EzEX Crimp Tool handles the full ezEX and EZ-RJ45 connector families. The EXO Crimp Frame with swappable dies is another option. Using the wrong die will crush the connector.
Cable Stripper
Your cable stripper must accommodate Cat6A's larger outer diameter (7.5 to 8mm). A standard Cat5e/Cat6 stripper may not open wide enough or may set the blade depth incorrectly for the thicker jacket. Look for a stripper with adjustable blade depth or one rated for Cat6A cable.
Cable Tester
A wiremap tester catches wiring errors. For 10-Gigabit installations, a performance certifier that tests to 500 MHz is recommended. It verifies the termination meets TIA Category 6A specs for insertion loss, return loss, and crosstalk.
Cat6A Strip Length: Why It's Different
One of the first mistakes people make when switching from Cat5e/Cat6 to Cat6A is stripping the same amount of jacket. Cat6A needs more.
The extra half inch matters because Cat6A's internal separator takes up space between the pairs. After you remove the separator and untwist the wires, you need enough length to arrange all eight conductors, trim them evenly, and still have the cable jacket reach into the connector's strain relief. Stripping too little means the wires cannot reach the contact pins or the jacket will not engage the strain relief.
Step-by-Step: How to Terminate Cat6A Cable
This guide uses the T568B wiring standard and an ezEX48 pass-through connector, which is the standard setup for Cat6A termination. If you are already comfortable crimping Cat5e and Cat6, the process is familiar, but pay close attention to the Cat6A-specific differences in steps 2, 3, and 7.
Cut the cable to length
Measure the cable run and add 1 to 2 feet of service loop at each end. Cut the cable cleanly with a dedicated cable cutter or the cutter built into your crimp tool. Cat6A's thicker jacket requires a bit more force to cut. Make sure the cut is clean and square.
Strip approximately 1.25 inches of outer jacket
Place the cable into your jacket stripper about 1.25 inches from the end. Rotate the stripper around the cable to score the jacket, then pull the cut section off. This is longer than what you strip for Cat5e or Cat6 (about 0.75 inches). The extra length gives you room to work around the internal separator.
Remove or trim the internal separator
Inside the cable you will find a plastic cross-shaped separator dividing the four twisted pairs. This is the component that makes Cat6A termination different from Cat5e and Cat6. Use flush cutters to trim the separator flush with the jacket edge. Cut it cleanly.
Untwist and straighten the wires
Separate the four twisted pairs and untwist each pair down to where the jacket begins. Straighten every wire by running each one between your thumb and forefinger. Cat6A conductors are stiffer than Cat5e or Cat6 wires because of the thicker insulation, so this step takes a bit more effort. The straighter the wires, the easier they slide into the connector channels.
Arrange wires in T568B order
Hold all eight wires flat and parallel between your thumb and forefinger. Arrange them in T568B order from left to right:
For the complete color code reference including T568A, see our RJ45 pinout guide.
Trim wires to even length
With the wires held in order, use flush cutters to trim all eight wires to exactly the same length. The cut must be perpendicular to the wires. Leave enough exposed wire that the cable jacket will sit inside the connector's strain relief area after insertion. An uneven trim means shorter wires will not reach the contact blades inside the connector, resulting in open pins.
Load wires into the ezEX48 connector
Hold the ezEX48 connector with the clip facing down and the gold contact pins facing up. Slide the arranged wires into the connector while maintaining their order. Push the wires all the way through until they extend out the front of the connector.
The ezEX48's internal channels are specifically designed for Cat6A's larger conductors. If you have ever struggled to get Cat6A wires into a standard Cat6 connector, this is the difference. The wires should slide in smoothly without excessive force.
Make sure the cable jacket extends into the connector body far enough for the strain relief clamp to grip it during crimping. Cat6A's thicker jacket can sometimes stop short of the strain relief area if you did not strip enough jacket.
Verify wire seating and color order
Before crimping, look at the wire tips extending from the front of the pass-through connector. Confirm T568B order from left to right (clip down): orange-white, orange, green-white, blue, blue-white, green, brown-white, brown.
Also verify that every wire extends out the front by the same amount. If one wire is short, it may not reach the contact blade during crimping. This is easier to spot with pass-through connectors than with standard connectors, which is one of the main reasons pass-through connectors are preferred for Cat6A work.
Crimp with the correct die
Place the loaded connector into your crimp tool. For the ezEX48, use the EzEX Crimp Tool, the PTS PRO Universal, or the EXO Crimp Frame with the EXO-EX die. Push the connector all the way into the die until it stops.
Squeeze the handles firmly until the ratchet mechanism releases. Do not release the handles before the ratchet completes. The full crimp cycle drives the contact blades through the wire insulation, clamps the strain relief onto the jacket, and locks the connector housing.
Trim excess wire
If your crimp tool automatically trims pass-through wires during the crimp cycle (the EzEX Crimp Tool does this), this step is already done. If not, use flush cutters to clip the wire ends flush with the front face of the connector. Do not leave any wire protruding, as it can snag or interfere with the jack contact.
Test the termination
At minimum, plug the cable into a cable tester and run a wiremap test. This confirms all eight pins have continuity, no pins are shorted, no wires are crossed, and there are no split pairs.
For Cat6A installations that will carry 10-Gigabit Ethernet traffic, a wiremap alone is not enough. Use a performance certifier that tests to 500 MHz to verify the termination meets TIA-568-C.2 Category 6A specifications. A certifier checks insertion loss, return loss, NEXT (near-end crosstalk), and PSANEXT (power sum alien near-end crosstalk), all of which must pass for the link to reliably support 10GBASE-T.
If the wiremap fails, cut the connector off and start from step 2. Do not attempt to re-crimp a failed connector.
Common Cat6A Termination Problems
Cat6A introduces failure modes that do not exist with Cat5e and Cat6. If your terminations are not passing, check for these Cat6A-specific issues. For a deeper dive into troubleshooting, see our Cat6A crimp failures guide.
Separator getting in the way
The internal cross separator must be fully removed or trimmed flush with the jacket. If pieces of the separator remain between the wires, conductors will not lay flat and will not align correctly in the connector channels. This is the most common Cat6A-specific problem and it does not exist with Cat5e cable.
Wires not reaching the contact pins
Cat6A's stiffer conductors and the space taken up by the separator mean wires can fall short of the contact blades. If you stripped less than 1.25 inches, you may not have enough usable wire length after removing the separator and trimming. The ezEX48's pass-through design lets you visually confirm that every wire extends through the front of the connector before crimping.
Jacket too thick for strain relief
Cat6A's outer diameter (7.5-8mm) is significantly larger than Cat6 (6mm). If the jacket does not fully engage the strain relief clamp inside the connector, the cable can pull out under tension. Make sure the jacket is pushed far enough into the connector body. If it resists, confirm you are using an ezEX48 Cat6A-rated connector, not a Cat6 connector.
Using Cat6 connectors on Cat6A cable
This is the most common mistake when people first work with Cat6A. Cat6 connectors are physically too small for Cat6A cable. The internal wire channels cannot accommodate the larger conductors, and the strain relief cannot grip the thicker jacket. The result is either wires that do not reach the contact pins or a connector that pulls off the cable. Always use Cat6A-rated connectors. See our connector compatibility guide for details.
Using the wrong crimp tool or die
The ezEX48 requires either the EzEX Crimp Tool, the PTS PRO Universal, or the EXO Crimp Frame with the EXO-EX die. A standard EZ-RJ45 crimp tool will crush an ezEX connector because the die cavity is shaped differently. This is a common and expensive mistake since it destroys both the connector and wastes the cable end.
Stripping too little jacket
The 0.75-inch strip length that works for Cat5e and Cat6 is not enough for Cat6A. After removing the separator and untwisting the pairs, you will not have enough wire to arrange, trim, and insert into the connector. Strip 1.25 inches for Cat6A to give yourself adequate working length.
Testing Cat6A Terminations
Testing matters more with Cat6A than with lower categories because the margin for error is smaller at 10-Gigabit speeds. There are two levels of testing, and which one you need depends on your use case.
Wiremap / Continuity Test
Verifies that all eight pins are connected, no pins are shorted, and no wires are crossed or reversed. This catches installation errors like wrong wire order, incomplete crimps, and split pairs. Every termination should pass a wiremap test regardless of cable category.
Use when: You need to confirm the termination is wired correctly. Sufficient for installations running at 1 Gbps or lower.
Performance Certification
Tests the link against the full TIA-568-C.2 Category 6A specification at frequencies up to 500 MHz. Measures insertion loss, return loss, NEXT, FEXT, PSANEXT, and more. A passing certification means the link will reliably support 10GBASE-T at 100 meters.
Use when: The installation must support 10-Gigabit Ethernet, the client requires a certification report, or building codes or contracts mandate it. Commercial Cat6A installations almost always require certification.
For a complete comparison of tester types and capabilities, see our network cable testers buying guide.
Pro Tips for Cat6A Termination
- Use pass-through connectors. The ezEX48's pass-through design is especially valuable for Cat6A because the stiffer wires are harder to inspect once inside a standard connector. Seeing the wire tips emerge from the front eliminates guesswork.
- Cut the separator, do not pull it. This prevents damage to wire insulation. A clean flush cut with sharp cutters takes two seconds and avoids a rework.
- Strip 1.25 inches consistently. Measure a few times until you can eyeball it reliably. Too short is the more common error, and it causes wires to fall short of the contact pins.
- Keep spare connectors on hand. Cat6A termination has a higher rework rate than Cat5e or Cat6, especially when you are first learning the process. Budget for extra connectors.
- Work at a table. Cat6A's stiffer conductors are harder to manage in cramped positions. If possible, leave enough service loop to bring the cable end to a flat work surface.
- Invest in the right tools upfront. The 10Gig Termination Kit bundles everything you need and ensures all components are compatible. Buying mismatched tools individually is how people end up with the wrong die for their connectors.
- Test every termination. Cat6A's tighter tolerances mean a termination that looks correct can still fail electrically. A quick wiremap test takes five seconds and catches problems you cannot see.
Recommended Gear for Cat6A
Individual Components
Build your Cat6A toolkit piece by piece
The EzEX Crimp Tool handles both EZ-RJ45 and ezEX connectors, so it covers Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A in one tool. The MapMaster identifies every fault type including split pairs.
All-in-One Kit
Everything for Cat6A in a single package
Includes the EXO Crimp Frame, EXO-EX die, ezEX48 connectors, cable stripper, and carrying case. Every component is matched and compatible out of the box. See our full kit breakdown for details.
Shielded Cat6A Setup
For shielded (STP) Cat6A installations requiring EMI protection
Shielded connectors provide a full 360-degree shield connection for environments with high electromagnetic interference. Learn more about shielded vs unshielded installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a regular Cat6 connector on Cat6A cable?
No. Cat6A cable has a thicker jacket (7.5 to 8mm outer diameter vs 6mm for Cat6), larger conductors, and an internal separator that Cat6 connectors cannot accommodate. The wires will not seat properly, and the strain relief cannot grip the thicker jacket. Use Cat6A-rated connectors like the ezEX48 or Cat6A/7 Shielded Connector.
How much jacket should I strip from Cat6A cable?
Strip approximately 1.25 inches (about 32mm) of outer jacket. This is noticeably longer than the 0.75 inches used for Cat5e and Cat6. The extra length is needed because Cat6A has an internal separator that takes up space and must be removed before arranging the wires, leaving you less usable wire length.
What crimp tool do I need for Cat6A connectors?
For ezEX48 Cat6A connectors, use either the EzEX Crimp Tool, the PTS PRO Universal Crimp Tool, or the EXO Crimp Frame with the EXO-EX die. Do not use a standard EZ-RJ45 crimp tool on ezEX connectors because the die geometry is different and will crush the connector. Read our EXO Crimp Frame vs EZ-RJ Pro HD comparison for help choosing.
What is the separator inside Cat6A cable and do I remove it?
The separator (also called a spline or cross divider) is a plastic insert that separates the four twisted pairs inside the cable. It reduces crosstalk between pairs, which is critical for Cat6A's 500 MHz bandwidth and 10-Gigabit performance. You must remove or trim it flush with the jacket edge before arranging the wires for termination. Cut it cleanly with flush cutters rather than pulling it out, which can damage wire insulation.
Do I need a special cable tester for Cat6A?
A basic wiremap tester verifies that all eight pins are connected correctly, which catches wiring errors. However, if you need to verify that the termination supports 10-Gigabit Ethernet, you need a performance certifier that tests to at least 500 MHz. A wiremap tester confirms the wires are correct. A certifier confirms the link meets Category 6A performance specifications. See our cable tester buying guide for recommendations at every budget.
Get the Right Cat6A Tools
Cat6A termination demands Cat6A-rated tools and connectors. Browse our catalog to build a compatible setup, or grab the all-in-one kit.