The ceiling is a return-air plenum. Can we save money by pulling riser-rated (CMR) cable?

No. Anything installed in a return-air plenum typically must carry a CMP (plenum) jacket, so riser-rated product is ruled out for this job. The installer confirms the rating requirement with the local authority having jurisdiction before ordering.

Why Category 6A instead of Category 6 plenum when 6 is about $178 less per reel?

Category 6 and 5e are rated for gigabit, while Category 6A carries 10GBASE-T across the full 100 m channel. Over 8 reels the difference is about $1,430, or roughly $32 a drop, which is less than reopening the ceiling to repull later. To get a 6A channel you also need to terminate with 6A jacks and panels and certify to 6A.

Our longest run is about 250 ft. Is that within limits once patch cords are added?

Yes. Keep the horizontal cable on every run under 295 ft so the full channel, including patch cords at both ends, stays inside 100 m. A 250 ft run leaves room for patch cords at the closet and the desk or screen.

How did you get to 8 reels for 44 drops?

44 drops at an average of 150 ft is 6,600 ft of cable. Adding 15% for service loops, terminations and waste brings it to 7,590 ft, which rounds up to 8 reels of 1,000 ft. If your actual average run is longer than 150 ft, recalculate before ordering.

The catalogue spec line for 6ACMP234RW says CMR, but the title says plenum CMP. Which is it?

The title and description list the product as CMP, but the spec line reads CMR, so this needs to be resolved before installation. Verify the CMP marking printed on the jacket and check the listing before any of it goes in the ceiling. The same check applies if you order the blue version under part 6ACMR234PO.

Do we need shielded cable anywhere on this job, and how long will the quoted price hold?

Unshielded 6A is the pick for all 44 drops, but if any run passes near heavy electrical equipment, switch that pull to 6ASHDCMPRW (shielded 6A plenum, $452.89) and bond the drain wire at the closet. Reel prices follow the copper market daily. A seven-day written quote is available from the cart if you need a fixed number for approval.

Job guides

Office fit-out: 40 data drops, plenum ceiling

A return-air plenum ceiling means every cable up there needs a CMP (plenum) jacket, so that rules out riser-rated product from the start. For 40-plus drops you want to still be happy with in ten years, pull Category 6A plenum: it carries 10 Gbps over the full 100 m channel, which your 250 ft longest run stays inside with patch cords.

Wiring a 12,000 sq ft office: 40 data drops to desks and a few wall-mounted screens, the ceiling is a return-air plenum, the longest run from the closet is about 250 ft. We want this to last.

Buy listAbout $3,269.20 before shipping and tax

All 44 data drops (desks and screens)

Category 6A Plenum CMP, 23 AWG, 4 Pair, 1000 ft. Wooden Reel

6ACMP234RW$408.65 per reelIn stock

Plenum-rated for your return-air ceiling, and Category 6A gives you full 10GBASE-T across a 100 m channel, so a 250 ft run with patch cords on both ends still has room. Category 6 and 5e are rated for gigabit; 6A is the one that will not need repulling when desktops and screens move past 1 Gbps. Solid bare copper, 23 AWG, so PoE for screens and future access points runs cool. At $408.65 a reel versus $230.29 for Category 6 plenum, the whole job costs about $1,430 more, roughly $32 a drop, which is far less than opening the ceiling again.

44 drops × 150 ft average = 6,600 ft, plus 15% for service loops, terminations and waste = 7,590 ft, so 8 × 1,000 ft reels.

Also consider: 6CMP234BW (Category 6 Plenum CMP) at $230.29 a reel saves about $1,430 across 8 reels; still plenum-rated and fine for gigabit and PoE+, but it is a 1 Gbps cable at these lengths and you give up the 10 Gbps headroom you said you want. Only go this way if budget is the deciding factor.

$3,269.20

8 reels

Product page and datasheet

Everything on the list is in stock.

What we can't supply for this job

We do not carry jacks, patch panels, faceplates, or patch cords; buy Category 6A-rated versions of each so the channel tests to 6A.
We do not carry fiber, so if the closet needs a backbone to another closet or building, source that elsewhere.

Assumed: "A few" wall-mounted screens means about 4, for 44 drops total, one cable per drop. Average run from the closet is about 150 ft in a 12,000 sq ft office with a 250 ft longest run. No runs pass near transformers, elevator machinery, or other heavy EMI sources, so unshielded is fine. All runs stay inside the building; nothing goes outdoors or between buildings.

Anything in a return-air plenum typically must be CMP; the installer confirms rating requirements with the local authority having jurisdiction.
The catalogue's spec line on this product reads CMR while the title and description say plenum CMP; verify the CMP marking on the jacket and the listing before it goes in the ceiling.
If you want blue instead of white, the catalogue lists blue under part 6ACMR234PO; confirm it is the plenum product before ordering.
Keep every run under 295 ft of horizontal cable so the full channel with patch cords stays inside 100 m; your 250 ft longest run does.
If any run passes near heavy electrical equipment, switch that pull to 6ASHDCMPRW (shielded 6A plenum, $452.89) and bond the drain wire at the closet.
Terminate with 6A jacks and panels and certify to Category 6A, otherwise you paid for 6A and get a Category 6 channel.
Prices follow the copper market daily; a seven-day written quote is available from the cart.

Your job is different? Adjust it.

Change the numbers to yours and get your own list at today's prices.

Describe the job. Get the buy list.

You get the parts, the quantities, today's prices and the reasoning, ready to add to the cart.

Questions that come up on this job

The ceiling is a return-air plenum. Can we save money by pulling riser-rated (CMR) cable?: No. Anything installed in a return-air plenum typically must carry a CMP (plenum) jacket, so riser-rated product is ruled out for this job. The installer confirms the rating requirement with the local authority having jurisdiction before ordering.
Why Category 6A instead of Category 6 plenum when 6 is about $178 less per reel?: Category 6 and 5e are rated for gigabit, while Category 6A carries 10GBASE-T across the full 100 m channel. Over 8 reels the difference is about $1,430, or roughly $32 a drop, which is less than reopening the ceiling to repull later. To get a 6A channel you also need to terminate with 6A jacks and panels and certify to 6A.
Our longest run is about 250 ft. Is that within limits once patch cords are added?: Yes. Keep the horizontal cable on every run under 295 ft so the full channel, including patch cords at both ends, stays inside 100 m. A 250 ft run leaves room for patch cords at the closet and the desk or screen.
How did you get to 8 reels for 44 drops?: 44 drops at an average of 150 ft is 6,600 ft of cable. Adding 15% for service loops, terminations and waste brings it to 7,590 ft, which rounds up to 8 reels of 1,000 ft. If your actual average run is longer than 150 ft, recalculate before ordering.
The catalogue spec line for 6ACMP234RW says CMR, but the title says plenum CMP. Which is it?: The title and description list the product as CMP, but the spec line reads CMR, so this needs to be resolved before installation. Verify the CMP marking printed on the jacket and check the listing before any of it goes in the ceiling. The same check applies if you order the blue version under part 6ACMR234PO.
Do we need shielded cable anywhere on this job, and how long will the quoted price hold?: Unshielded 6A is the pick for all 44 drops, but if any run passes near heavy electrical equipment, switch that pull to 6ASHDCMPRW (shielded 6A plenum, $452.89) and bond the drain wire at the closet. Reel prices follow the copper market daily. A seven-day written quote is available from the cart if you need a fixed number for approval.

Other jobs

Prices are today's and follow the copper and aluminum markets each weekday; quantities are for the example job. Confirm code requirements with your inspector. How we price