Mercury Cat6 Outdoor U/UTP Network Cable 305m - Black PE Sheath

The Mercury Cat6 outdoor cable is a 305m roll of solid conductor twisted pair network cable with a UV-resistant black polyethylene (PE) outer sheath, designed for external Gigabit Ethernet installations. The cable uses eight solid copper-clad aluminium (CCA) conductors arranged in four twisted pairs, each pair insulated with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and rated to 250MHz bandwidth for Cat6 performance.

Designed for outdoor runs between buildings, external security camera installations, garden network connections and any data transmission exposed to weather, the PE sheath resists UV degradation and water ingress without requiring additional conduit in most UK climates. The cable is supplied in a pull-dispensing box with 1m interval markings along the sheath, making it straightforward to measure runs during installation without a separate tape measure.

The cable meets TIA/EIA-568 Cat6 standards and passes Cat6 fluke testing at 100m runs up to 250MHz, confirming its suitability for Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) and other high-speed data protocols. The solid CCA conductor construction gives a balance between cost and performance for fixed installations where the cable will be terminated at both ends and not subject to repeated flexing. The 6mm overall diameter and 7kg weight per 305m roll make it manageable for single-person external pulling through clips, trunking or light conduit.

The black sheath minimises visual impact on exterior walls and blends with most cladding, brickwork and ducting systems. The PE material remains flexible across a wide temperature range, avoiding brittleness in cold weather that can affect PVC-sheathed cables during winter installations.

Can this cable be buried directly underground?

The UV-resistant PE sheath is designed for above-ground outdoor exposure (wall clips, overhead runs, light trunking). For direct burial, best practice is to run the cable through ducting to protect it from ground movement, rodent damage and moisture ingress over time. The sheath will resist water, but ducting extends service life significantly.

What's the difference between CCA and solid copper conductors?

Copper-clad aluminium (CCA) conductors have an aluminium core with a thin copper coating. They offer lower cost and lighter weight than solid copper, making them suitable for fixed installations where the cable is terminated once at each end. CCA is not recommended for Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications due to higher resistance, but it handles standard data transmission to Cat6 spec.

Does this cable support PoE for security cameras?

The CCA conductor construction has higher DC resistance than solid copper (stated as <35 Ohms/100m), which can cause voltage drop issues with PoE or PoE+ devices over longer runs. For security cameras requiring PoE power, solid copper Cat6 cable is recommended, especially for runs beyond 50m.

What connectors are needed to terminate this cable?

Use RJ45 connectors rated for solid conductor cable (not stranded). The 0.57mm conductor diameter is standard for Cat6 solid cable and fits most crimp-style or punch-down RJ45 connectors. A crimping tool and cable tester are recommended for reliable terminations.