Cat6 and Cat6a (U/FTP) on the same patch panel + grounding question (UK home)

Hey everyone,

I’m finishing up a home network install and want to double-check two things: grounding and mixing Cat6/Cat6a cables.

Here’s my setup:

Cat6a U/FTP runs for high-speed links for HD-Matrix/NAS/PC

Terminated with shielded keystones at both ends

These go into a shielded patch panel

The patch panel connects to a network switch.

I also have some Cat6 unshielded runs that go to wall plates — these are separate from the Cat6a runs but terminate on the same patch panel

My questions are:

1. Since my Cat6a U/FTP cables use shielded keystones and the switch is earthed through its mains power, does that mean the overall setup is properly grounded?

2. Is it okay to mix Cat6 and Cat6a on the same patch panel? The Cat6 runs are unshielded and go through wall plates, while the Cat6a runs are shielded and directly terminated into keystones (no wall plates).

Just want to be sure I’m doing this properly — avoiding any ground loop or interference issues — and that mixing the two cable types on one panel is fine as long as everything’s labelled clearly.

Appreciate any advice from anyone who’s done shielded Cat6a installs in the UK!