Ethernet Patchcord

Patch cord categories

All Ethernet cables are currently manufactured in technologies referred to as "categories". The category of the cable is determined by the construction of the cable itself - the solutions used in a given cable determine not only the maximum transmission speed, but also the resistance to interference of the signal parameters, which is directly related to the maximum length of the cable that can be used without fear of losing the so-called signal integrity and the appearance of related interference in data transfer. The lowest currently used category is UTP 5e, allowing for data transfer rates up to 100 MHz, although there are also versions on the market with bandwidths up to 250 MHz, which means that the achievable speed increases to 1 Gbps. Higher categories, such as 6 and 6a, allow to work with frequencies from 250 to 500 MHz, and category 6a (as well as higher category 7) create conditions for work with high speed links with transfer up to 10 Gbps. Individual cables made according to the categories mentioned above also differ in the range of industry standards that they must meet to ensure high quality signal transmission.

UTP, FTP, S/FTP... - explanation of most common designations

Beginners in the field of computer networking may be surprised by the large dispersion of nomenclature, used in the descriptions of individual cables. It's worth to realize, however, that in fact the information coded in those letter signs (besides the previously mentioned categories) was introduced for the convenience of installers. They allow to find out, without the necessity of cutting the cable, what is its construction. The simplest and cheapest, and at the same time most flexible, are UTP cables, i.e. consisting of only 4 pairs of twisted pair cables, directly placed in a common plastic insulation. Cables of FTP class, also called F/UTP, have internal screen in the form of aluminum foil "sleeve", whereas higher-class cables, such as S/FTP (SF/UTP), e.g. category 5e cables, have - beside the mentioned aluminum screen - also copper braid. Category 6 cables, on the other hand, are equipped with a common copper braid, and individual pairs of signal cables (twisted pair) are additionally shielded from each other with aluminum foil. This design allows to obtain a very high integrity of the signal, ie provides high quality electrical waveforms, even when sending them over long distances.

Patch cord cables in Botland store offer

In our offer you will find a wide selection of both network cables and Ethernet network installation accessories. To build small networks with relatively low requirements (for example, to connect a printer or IP camera in a small distance to the switch or router) it is worth to use thin, flexible category 5e UTP cables, whose prices start at less than 2 zł. The shortest versions used e.g. for patch connections in network switch matrixes are 0.25 m long. Longer versions, e.g. 0.5m or 1.2m, are perfect for connecting computers, laptops or minicomputers with home or business router/switch. For users who set higher requirements for their network it is worth to recommend higher quality cables: UTP category 6, available in various insulation colours and in lengths of 2, 3 or 5 m. In our offer you will also find a spool of category 5e twisted pair cable by Lanberg, in 305 m long coils, as well as connection cubes. In addition, it is worth noting the offer available in our store RJ45 wall sockets and other accessories for computer networks.