Cat 5 Patch Cables
Patch cables are the short cables that run from one device to another on your computer system. They are the ones that connect printers, scanners, fax machines, monitors and other such devices to your computer's main terminal. Switches connected to your computer or router devices in an Ethernet system are also connected by patch cables. The thickness of the patch cables generally depend on the kind of signal they will be carrying. The cables used in microphones and headphone extensions are smaller, but those used for carrying signals of amplified audio and video data are much thicker, and are called as snake cables.
Patch cables are typically shorter in length than other kinds of cables. Some of the shortest ones could be as much as three inches, while they are generally not longer than 20 feet. The short patch cables are used specifically for connecting components that are closely stacked one upon the other. The longer ones are the snake cables that are used to carry the audio and video signals.
Cat 5 cables, or Category 5 cables, are a popular choice for making patch cables. The Cat 5 cables are UTP cables, i.e. Unshielded Twisted Pair cables. They contain eight copper wires, which are twisted in pairs to make four pairs. These four pairs are not individually shielded, but they are all run through an outer jacket. The Cat 5 cables have a core around which the four twisted pairs are passed. This core can be either stranded core of solid core. For making patch cables, only the stranded core Cat 5 cables are used. The strands are applied to the inner core of the Cat 5 cables, which makes them more flexible and easily bendable. That is the reason why they can twisted and turned in several different ways to make connections between components of Ethernet systems, and also passed through wire ducts and holes within the furniture used to place computers. They are also more reliable in transmitting data, which suits their purpose well enough.
Cat 5 patch cables are compatible with RJ-45 plugs, which can be crimped to either side of the cable. In order to connect the eight wires of the Cat 5 patch cables properly, these wires are suitably color coded. The color codes are a standard throughout the world. Apart from the convenience and effectiveness, another major advantage of the Cat 5 patch cables is that they are cheaper than the other versions available in the market, i.e. the Cat 5e patch cables and the Cat 6 patch cables, which came later on. Though, it must be noted that the later version patch cables are better for Gigabit and higher Ethernet systems, while Cat 5 patch cables will work the best only up to 100 Mbps, and around a frequency limit of 100 MHz. However, the Cat 5 patch cables are favorites of all hardware professionals all over the world when providing computer connections in household setups.
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