Southwire CAT 6 23 AWG 4-Pair Riser Blue Data Cable 100-Foot Pull Box – Model 56918943

The Southwire CAT 6 100 ft riser-rated data cable (Model 56918943) is the premium structured cabling pull box sized specifically for single-run installations rather than multi-drop project rough-ins. As a CAT 6 100 ft pull box, this product is the right format when your project consumes 50 to 100 feet of cable: a single Ethernet drop, a gaming PC to router run, a NAS-to-switch backbone, a custom-length patch run between devices, or repair of an existing damaged CAT 6 cable. As Southwire 56918943, this specific SKU represents the smallest format in Southwire’s CAT 6 lineup, sharing identical premium CAT 6 specifications (23 AWG conductors, 250 MHz bandwidth, 10-Gigabit Ethernet capable up to 55 meters, internal spline separator, CMR riser fire rating) with the larger 1000-foot rolls but in the right amount for single-run consumption. As a CAT 6 single run cable, the 100-foot length covers approximately 90 percent of typical single-cable applications in residential and small commercial environments, where the longest single Ethernet drop rarely exceeds 75 feet. As a short CAT 6 cable 100 ft option, the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft solves the problem of homeowners and small contractors who need CAT 6 specification for one specific run but cannot justify buying a 1000-foot bulk roll for a single project. Every Southwire CAT 6 100 ft pull box ships nationwide from IB Lighting with free freight. Manufacturer specifications are available at the official Southwire website.

Southwire CAT 6 100 ft Key Highlights

When 100 ft Is the Right Size: Common Single-Run Applications

The Southwire CAT 6 100 ft is specifically right-sized for single-cable applications rather than multi-drop projects. Understanding the typical use cases helps confirm whether the 100-foot format matches your specific need or whether stepping up to the larger 1000-foot roll makes more sense.

The most common single-run applications that consume 50 to 100 feet of cable:

• Gaming PC to router run: Connecting a gaming desktop in a bedroom or game room directly to the home network router for the lowest possible latency. Typically 40 to 80 feet depending on room location.
• NAS or home server to switch backbone: Wired connection between a network-attached storage device or home server and the main network switch, for high-bandwidth file transfers. Typically 20 to 60 feet.
• Home office single drop: Adding one CAT 6 jack to a home office for a workstation or workstation hub. Typically 30 to 80 feet from the network closet.
• Repair of damaged existing run: Replacement cable when an existing CAT 6 run gets damaged by remodeling, pest activity, or installation failures. Length matches the original damaged run.
• Smart-home hub to network connection: Hard-wired connection from a smart-home control panel or AV receiver to the network for stable bandwidth performance. Typically 20 to 50 feet.
• Wireless access point single drop: Adding a single wireless access point in a problem coverage area with a CAT 6 backhaul run from the network switch. Typically 40 to 80 feet.
• Server room internal patch: Custom-length connections within a server rack or between adjacent equipment. Typically 5 to 25 feet but with extra cable for clean dressing.
• Workstation upgrade from CAT 5e to CAT 6: Single-cable upgrade of a high-performance workstation run from existing CAT 5e to new CAT 6 for better signal performance.

If your project involves multiple drops in a single home or small office, the larger Southwire CAT 6 1000 ft pull box typically delivers better per-foot economics. The 100-foot format is specifically right when you need one cable run and one cable run only.

Gaming and PC Enthusiast Applications

Gaming PC owners are a meaningful audience for the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft because wired Ethernet matters genuinely for competitive gaming. WiFi adds latency (typically 5 to 30 milliseconds compared to wired Ethernet’s sub-millisecond latency), causes jitter that disrupts real-time gameplay, and occasionally drops packets that result in disconnects mid-match. For competitive online gaming, hard-wired Ethernet from PC to router is the standard recommendation.

For gaming applications specifically, CAT 6 over CAT 5e is justifiable for several reasons. First, the 23 AWG conductor delivers slightly better signal performance over typical residential run lengths, which translates to fewer retransmissions and slightly lower latency variance. Second, the 10-Gigabit Ethernet capability provides headroom for future multi-Gigabit internet service that many ISPs are now rolling out. Third, the PoE++ capacity supports modern network equipment that may use PoE-powered switches or access points. Fourth, the future-proofing argument is compelling: a CAT 6 run installed today supports the gaming hardware refresh cycle for many years.

The 100-foot length covers most residential gaming setups. A typical home with the network router in a central location (living room, home office) and the gaming PC in a bedroom or upstairs room consumes 50 to 80 feet of cable. The Southwire CAT 6 100 ft handles this with comfortable margin for cable routing variations and termination slack. For longer runs in larger homes, the cable runs may approach the 100-foot limit, in which case the larger 500 ft or 1000 ft format gives more buffer.

The installation itself is DIY-friendly for capable PC enthusiasts. Basic tools (cable stripper, RJ-45 crimper, punch-down tool if installing wall jacks) and standard residential framing access cover the typical gaming PC cable run. Many gaming-focused installations use surface-mount cable channels rather than in-wall installations for renter-friendly setup, which is also straightforward with the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft cable.

Repair and Replacement of Existing Runs

The Southwire CAT 6 100 ft is also the right format for repair and replacement of damaged existing CAT 6 runs in residential and small commercial environments. Cable damage happens for several reasons that all share one characteristic: the affected cable is one specific run rather than the entire structured cabling installation.

Common scenarios that require single-run cable replacement:

• Remodeling damage: Drywall work, framing changes, or HVAC installation accidentally damages an existing cable run during construction. The single affected run must be replaced.
• Pest activity: Rodents in attics, basements, or wall cavities sometimes chew through low-voltage cabling. The single affected run is identified by tester results and replaced.
• Installation failures: A run that worked initially but fails after several years due to manufacturing defects, installation crimps, or environmental degradation. Replace the failing run.
• Termination failures: When the cable is good but the termination at one end has degraded, the entire run is often replaced rather than re-terminating, because re-terminating sometimes shortens the cable below useful length.
• Performance upgrades on existing CAT 5e: Selectively upgrading the highest-priority cable runs from CAT 5e to CAT 6 (the workstation, the home theater, the gaming setup) without replacing the entire structured cabling installation.

For these scenarios, buying a 1000-foot bulk roll for a single repair makes no economic sense; the leftover material would never get used. The Southwire CAT 6 100 ft delivers exactly the amount needed for a single repair, with no leftover storage burden after the project completes. The 100-foot length covers the longest practical residential run, so any repair scenario fits comfortably within the cable supplied.

Server Room and Network Rack Applications

Small server rooms, network racks, and home lab environments are another important audience for the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft. Within these environments, custom-length cables for specific equipment-to-equipment connections deliver cleaner cable management than using factory pre-made patch cables that come in fixed lengths.

The use case here is making custom-length CAT 6 cables for specific connections. A server rack with multiple servers, switches, NAS devices, and patch panels has many short cable connections, each potentially requiring a different specific length to keep cable management clean. Pre-made patch cables come in fixed lengths (1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 25, 50 feet typically), and you often end up with cables that are either too short to reach or too long and looped messily.

With a 100-foot roll of CAT 6 plus RJ-45 connectors and a crimping tool, you can make custom-length patch cables of any length needed. A 4-foot patch between adjacent rack units, an 18-foot run between rack and wall-mounted equipment, a 32-foot drop from rack to a desktop workstation — all cut to length on the fly without ordering specific pre-made cables.

For server room and rack environments specifically, the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft supports several technical features that matter: 10-Gigabit Ethernet support handles modern server-to-switch backbones at the speeds these environments actually use, the 23 AWG conductor handles PoE++ to powered devices in the rack, and the CMR riser rating allows installation in commercial multi-story buildings where the server room is on one floor and equipment may be on adjacent floors.

What CAT 6 Delivers (And Why It Matters at 100 ft)

CAT 6 is governed by the TIA/EIA-568-B.2-1 specification and represents the next major performance tier above CAT 5e. The Southwire CAT 6 100 ft delivers the full CAT 6 specification in the 100-foot single-run format, which means even for short runs the cable offers premium specification headroom over CAT 5e.

The CAT 6 specification advantages versus CAT 5e: 250 MHz bandwidth (vs CAT 5e’s 100 MHz), 23 AWG conductors (vs CAT 5e’s 24 AWG), tighter electrical performance requirements for return loss and near-end crosstalk, 10-Gigabit Ethernet support up to 55 meters (CAT 5e officially supports only Gigabit Ethernet), and an internal spline separator that maintains pair separation throughout the cable length.

For 100-foot runs specifically, the CAT 6 advantages matter genuinely. At any run length, the thicker conductor reduces signal attenuation; over a short 100-foot run, signal margins are comfortable even for CAT 5e, but the CAT 6 margin is larger which provides resilience against installation imperfections, termination variations, and environmental interference. The 10-Gigabit capability matters when the cable connects equipment that may use those speeds (modern servers, multi-Gig switches, future hardware refreshes).

The 100-foot length is well below the 55-meter (180-foot) CAT 6 limit for 10-Gigabit Ethernet, which means the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft handles 10-Gigabit operation with significant performance margin. For installations that may upgrade to 10-Gigabit equipment in the future, installing the 100-foot CAT 6 cable today protects against having to re-cable later.

23 AWG Conductor Advantage in Short Runs

The 23 AWG copper conductors in the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft are meaningfully thicker than the 24 AWG conductors in CAT 5e cabling, and this conductor gauge advantage delivers genuine performance benefits even at short 100-foot run lengths.

The conductor gauge directly affects three performance areas. First, signal attenuation: thicker conductors have lower DC resistance, which means signal amplitude decreases less over the cable length. Over 100 feet, the difference between 23 AWG and 24 AWG is modest but real, providing additional signal margin at the far end. Second, crosstalk rejection: the slightly larger pair diameter created by 23 AWG conductors produces slightly greater physical separation between adjacent pairs, reducing electromagnetic coupling that creates crosstalk. Third, current capacity: thicker conductors carry more current with less voltage drop and less heat generation, which matters significantly for PoE applications.

The PoE advantage is the most practical 23 AWG benefit for short-run applications. The Southwire CAT 6 100 ft supports Power over Ethernet through all standard classes including high-wattage PoE++ Type 4 (100W class). Modern network devices using PoE++ include high-performance PTZ security cameras, video conferencing endpoints, high-power wireless access points, and certain network switches. For these devices, the thicker 23 AWG conductor delivers cleaner power with less voltage drop than would be possible with 24 AWG cabling.

For installations that may have PoE-powered equipment at the far end of the run (a wireless access point being powered through the data cable, an IP security camera, a VoIP phone with PoE power), the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft is more electrically appropriate than CAT 5e even when run length is short. The PoE power handling is part of the cable specification, not just a function of cable length.

CMR Riser Rating: Code-Compliant Fire Performance

The Southwire CAT 6 100 ft carries the CMR (Communications Multi-purpose Riser) jacket rating, which is the standard general-purpose specification for residential and commercial structured cabling. The CMR rating allows the cable to be installed in vertical riser runs between floors in non-plenum spaces while meeting NEC Article 800 fire safety requirements for flame spread between floors.

For single-run installations, the CMR rating provides meaningful flexibility. The cable can be installed within a single floor (where CM general-purpose rating would also work), AND it can be installed in vertical runs between floors of multi-story buildings (which requires the CMR rating specifically). For typical residential applications where the cable may run from a basement network closet to a second-floor bedroom, the CMR rating handles the multi-floor routing without code violations.

The “non-plenum” qualifier excludes installations in HVAC plenum spaces (typically the ceiling cavity in commercial buildings where return air actively circulates). For plenum installations, the CMP plenum-rated cable is specifically required. Most residential ceiling cavities are NOT plenum spaces unless the building was specifically designed to use the ceiling cavity for HVAC return air, which is uncommon in residential construction. Verify your specific installation environment if you are uncertain.

The CMR jacket rating is printed on the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft cable jacket itself at regular intervals along the length, allowing inspectors and installers to verify the rating without breaking down the installation. The printing also includes the CAT 6 specification, the manufacturer name, and the cable footage marker that helps track how much cable has been pulled from the box.

Bulk CAT 6 vs Pre-Made Patch Cables: When Bulk Makes Sense

Buyers comparing the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft against pre-made patch cables of similar length need to understand when bulk cable is the better choice. The decision is driven by length flexibility, installation requirements, and cable count.

Buy bulk CAT 6 from the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft when: you need a custom length not available in standard pre-made cables (pre-made cables typically come in 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 25, 50, 100 foot lengths only), when you are running cable through walls or ceilings to a wall-mounted jack (pre-made patch cables have molded boots that do not fit through small holes drilled in framing), when you need multiple short patch cables in different lengths and want to make them custom, or when you want CAT 6 cable for a structured cabling rough-in installation that terminates at wall jacks.

Buy pre-made patch cables when: you need short connections between adjacent equipment at standard lengths, when the application is simple desk-to-wall jack patching, when you do not have a CAT 6 crimping tool or the skill to terminate cable correctly, or when reliability of factory-terminated cable matters more than length flexibility.

For applications combining both needs (some structured cabling and some patch cables), buying the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft bulk roll plus a CAT 6 crimping kit gives the flexibility to make both wall jack runs and custom patch cables from the same source material. This is the typical approach for residential structured cabling installations and small server room builds.

Southwire CAT 6 100 ft Specifications

Southwire CAT 6 100 ft FAQs

Who the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft Is Built For

The Southwire CAT 6 100 ft serves four distinct buyer types. The first is the residential homeowner or PC enthusiast running a single cable, typically a gaming PC to router run, a home office workstation drop, or a NAS-to-switch backbone. For these buyers, premium CAT 6 specification matters for the future-proofing argument (10-Gigabit headroom, PoE++ capability), and the 100-foot length matches single-run consumption without bulk-purchase commitment.

The second buyer is the homeowner repairing or replacing an existing damaged CAT 6 cable run. For these buyers, the 100-foot length covers the longest practical residential run, the CMR riser rating allows the replacement to match the original code-compliant installation, and the compact pull box is easy to transport to the repair location. Buying a 1000-foot bulk roll for a single repair makes no economic sense; the 100-foot format matches the actual need.

The third buyer is the small server room or network rack installer making custom-length patch cables for specific equipment connections. For these buyers, the 100-foot roll plus RJ-45 connectors and a crimping tool delivers more flexibility than buying pre-made patch cables in standard fixed lengths. The custom-length cables result in cleaner rack cable management and exact-length connections that pre-made cables cannot provide.

The fourth buyer is the small contractor or low-voltage technician handling a single-drop residential or commercial installation. For these contractors, the 100-foot length matches the typical single-drop job consumption while keeping per-project material cost predictable. The format also suits emergency callout work where a contractor brings exactly enough cable for one specific repair or installation. Browse the broader IB Lighting electrical and cable collection for the complete range.

CAT 6 100 ft vs 1000 ft: Which Size to Buy

The choice between the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft and the larger Southwire CAT 6 1000 ft is driven entirely by project scale and per-foot economics. Both products share identical CAT 6 specifications, so cable performance is identical between the two formats. The decision is purely about matching cable quantity to actual consumption.

Choose the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft (this product) when your need is a single cable run of 50 to 100 feet, when you are repairing or replacing one specific damaged existing cable, when you are making custom-length patch cables for a small server rack, when you are upgrading one specific high-priority cable from CAT 5e to CAT 6, or when you specifically want to avoid the leftover-storage burden of a larger bulk roll.

Choose the Southwire CAT 6 1000 ft when your project covers 6 or more drops in a single home or office, when you are doing new construction structured cabling rough-in across multiple rooms, when you are running a commercial fit-out with many workstation drops, when the per-foot cost economics favor the larger format because you will use most of the cable, or when you do multiple structured cabling projects and the leftover material amortizes across multiple installs.

The per-foot cost difference between 100 ft and 1000 ft is meaningful: approximately $0.30/ft for the 100-foot format versus approximately $0.185/ft for the 1000-foot format. The 100-foot format costs 60+ percent more per foot, but the total purchase price ($30 vs $185) is 84 percent lower, which makes it the practical right choice when you do not actually need more than 100 feet of cable.

CAT 6 vs CAT 5e for Short Runs: Is Premium Worth It?

For single-cable applications, the choice between CAT 6 (this product) and CAT 5e depends on the specific application, future-proofing considerations, and whether the cable will support PoE or 10-Gigabit equipment.

Choose the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft when the cable will connect a gaming PC, workstation, or high-performance equipment where signal quality matters, when 10-Gigabit Ethernet may be needed in the future (multi-Gig internet services are increasingly common), when PoE++ powered devices are at the far end of the run, when you specifically want premium specification for a long-term installation, or when the modest price premium for one cable is justified by performance and future-proofing.

Choose CAT 5e when the cable will connect general-purpose devices (basic laptops, smart TVs, streaming devices) that will never use bandwidth above Gigabit Ethernet, when the application is short-term or temporary, when the budget genuinely matters for the single cable purchase, or when the existing infrastructure is CAT 5e and matching the existing specification simplifies the installation.

For most single-cable applications at 100-foot length where the price premium is small in absolute terms ($30 for CAT 6 vs whatever a comparable short CAT 5e roll costs), the future-proofing argument typically favors CAT 6. The cable will be installed for years to decades, and the small cost premium is meaningful insurance against future hardware upgrades that may need 10-Gigabit Ethernet or PoE++ capability.

Tools You Need for a Single CAT 6 Install

Installing a single CAT 6 cable from the Southwire CAT 6 100 ft is a straightforward DIY project for capable homeowners. The tool list is modest, and the tools have ongoing value for future structured cabling work.

Essential tools:

• Cable cutter or sharp utility knife: For cutting cable to length cleanly without damaging the conductors.
• CAT 6 RJ-45 crimping tool: A tool specifically rated for CAT 6 cable (the 23 AWG conductors are thicker than CAT 5e and require slightly different crimping force). General-purpose RJ-45 crimpers may work but quality varies.
• CAT 6 rated RJ-45 connectors: Connectors specifically rated for the 23 AWG conductor diameter. Using CAT 5e connectors on CAT 6 cable typically produces unreliable terminations because the connector contacts do not seat properly on the thicker conductors.
• Wire strippers: For removing the outer jacket without damaging the inner conductors. Basic insulated wire strippers work, but specialized cable strippers designed for data cable are easier to use.

Recommended additional tools:

• Cable tester (wiremap): Basic continuity tester that verifies all 8 conductors are correctly connected end-to-end. Catches the most common termination errors immediately.
• Fish tape or fish stick: For pulling cable through walls and ceilings during installation. Not needed for surface-mount installations.
• Wall jack and punch-down tool: If the cable terminates at a wall jack rather than directly into equipment. The punch-down tool seats the conductors into the jack’s insulation displacement contacts.

For a single-cable installation, the tool investment is roughly $30 to $80 depending on quality and whether you choose a CAT 6 installation kit (which bundles all the essential tools together) or buy individual tools. The tools have ongoing value for future structured cabling projects, repairs, and patch cable creation.

Browse the complete IB Lighting electrical and cable collection, step up to the larger Southwire CAT 6 1000 ft for multi-drop projects, downshift to Southwire CAT 5e 500 ft for budget-friendly small-scale cabling, explore other Southwire products, pair structured cabling with a Tesla Universal Wall Connector for home automation projects, consider a Generac standby generator for outage protection that keeps your network running, or visit our customer FAQ hub. Manufacturer technical sheets are available at the official Southwire website.