How far can a Cat 6a cable operate at maximum bandwidth?

A Category 6a (Cat 6a) cable can operate at maximum bandwidth over a distance of 100 meters. This standard allows for the transmission of data at speeds up to 10 Gbps (Gigabits per second) while maintaining performance integrity across the full length of the cable. This capability makes Cat 6a suitable for high-speed networking applications, especially in environments that require extensive data transfer, such as data centers and enterprise networks.

The 100-meter specification includes both the horizontal cabling and any patch leads or jumpers that might be used, making it a comprehensive measurement of the effective range for high-speed operations. This ensures that users can reliably deploy the cable within larger areas without sacrificing bandwidth.

In contrast, options indicating shorter distances, such as 30 meters or 55 meters, do not align with the full-rated capabilities of Cat 6a, which are designed to support longer runs. While it may be possible to achieve maximum speeds over shorter distances, the standard specifies that 100 meters is the maximum efficient operational length for optimal performance. The 200 meters option greatly exceeds the standard capabilities for this type of cable, which further confirms that 100 meters is the correct and recognized maximum operational distance in practical applications for Cat