Mercury Cat5e U/UTP LSZH Network Cable Lilac - 305m Reel

The Mercury Cat5e U/UTP is a 305m reel of unshielded twisted pair network cable with eight solid oxygen-free copper conductors (AWG 24, 0.196mm² per conductor) rated to pass Cat5e fluke testing at 100MHz. The four twisted pairs inside a 5mm outer diameter LSZH (low smoke zero halogen) sheath support Gigabit Ethernet, HDBaseT AV-over-IP and other high-speed data transmission applications up to 1000BASE-T.

Designed for fixed installation in commercial, educational and residential buildings where fire safety regulations require low-emission cable materials, the LSZH sheath complies with RoHS and produces minimal smoke and no halogen-based toxic fumes in the event of fire. The cable arrives in a pull-through dispensing box with 1-metre interval markings printed on the sheath, simplifying length measurement during installation runs. Each conductor uses solid rather than stranded copper, giving lower DC resistance and better long-run performance than stranded equivalents.

The lilac sheath colour codes this reel within mixed cable installations, allowing installers to visually distinguish network runs from power, security or other Cat5e/Cat6 cables. The 305m length is the industry-standard full reel size, sufficient for typical office floor or residential home runs with minimal waste. Electrical performance meets TIA/EIA-568 Cat5e standards with impedance of 100±15 ohms, attenuation under 22dB at 100m, and NEXT above 35.3dB.

What is LSZH and why does it matter?

LSZH stands for low smoke zero halogen. In a fire, LSZH-sheathed cable produces minimal smoke and no halogen-based toxic gases (such as hydrogen chloride), reducing inhalation risk and equipment damage. LSZH is required or recommended in enclosed spaces, public buildings, data centres and anywhere fire safety regulations prioritise occupant safety.

Is this suitable for outdoor installation?

No. This cable is designed for indoor fixed installation only. For outdoor or direct-burial applications you need external-grade Cat5e or Cat6 cable with UV-resistant and moisture-proof sheathing.

What applications does Cat5e support?

Cat5e handles Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) up to 100m, Fast Ethernet (100BASE-TX), HDBaseT AV-over-IP, PoE and PoE+ (Power over Ethernet), IP CCTV camera connections, and VoIP telephony. It does not support 10 Gigabit Ethernet beyond very short runs.

Solid or stranded conductors — what's the difference?

This cable uses solid conductors, which have lower DC resistance and better performance over long runs, but are less flexible and not suitable for patch leads or connections subject to frequent movement. Stranded conductors are used in short patch cables where flexibility matters more than maximum electrical performance.