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If you Google “Ethernet patch cable” you’ll get well over 1 million hits. It’s no wonder that shopping for patch cables can be confusing. For starters, there can be uncertainty about the difference between the terms “Ethernet cable” and “Ethernet patch cable.” But most of the confusion is due to there being so many cable categories, such as Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a.

After clearing up what makes a patch cable a patch cable, this blog post outlines the main differences between the two most popular kinds, Cat 5e and Cat 6. We conclude with a table showing the main specifications and uses of Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat 7, and Cat 8.

Ethernet Patch Cable vs. Ethernet Cable

Ethernet patch cables are short, pre-terminated cables (commonly with RJ-45 connectors) used to connect individual devices to a network switch, router, or another network device. They are typically used in offices, home networks, and data center rack setups for connecting computers, printers, and other peripherals to a local

In today's tech-driven world, reliable and durable power cords are more crucial than ever for ensuring the smooth operation of our essential devices, from computers to home appliances. Understanding this need, ShowMeCables stocks an extensive range of AC and DC power cords for every application:

• Computers
• Servers
• Monitors
• Printers
• Scanners
• Audio/video components
• TVs
• Appliances and more

These replacement power cords are heavy-duty, dependable, and designed for longevity. Even better, ShowMeCables keeps a robust inventory in stock for same-day shipping, ensuring that your critical operations never face unnecessary downtime due to power supply issues.

To simplify your search for the perfect power cord, we have categorized our vast inventory into the following 10 sections:

Computer Power Cords

Whether you are a home user or running a data center, these are the cables you cannot live without. We have them in many types, lengths and colors. Most adhere to either NEMA or IEC standards, and they

At ShowMeCables we like to talk about our huge selection of Ethernet patch cables and bulk Ethernet cable. We’ve been developing and honing our inventory since 1995 so we have thousands of products to offer. But we realize that with such a wide selection, sometimes it might be confusing for you to determine exactly what you need. To help you narrow your search, below we explain our main “shopping options” you select when searching for Ethernet cables.

We also list a few reasons why you might benefit from buying bulk Ethernet cable.

We conclude with a table showing the main specifications and applications for Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, and Cat8 Ethernet cables.

RJ45 Ethernet Cables

RJ45 connectors are modular, eight-pin plugs used for standard networking applications such as connecting your computer to a router or a switch. They terminate most Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, and Cat8 twisted-pair cable. An RJ45 color code or “pinout” is a specific arrangement of wires that dictate how the connector

As electronic connectivity continues to improve in businesses and homes, bringing faster and clearer data signals over longer distances, it brings new challenges to overcome. For instance:

• How do you integrate fiber optic and non-fiber-optic connectivity?
• With so many types of audio/video connections on the market, how do you ensure your various A/V components stay compatible?
• How do you add Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities to your network?
• How do you incorporate more USB devices to computers with limited USB ports?

Fortunately, ShowMeCables offers affordable devices that answer all those questions. We have:

• Converters that provide interfaces to fiber optic lines from Ethernet, serial, and USB lines
• A/V converters that help connect your audio/video gear to the latest ports
• PoE injectors, splitters, and switches to help you combine your power and data lines
• USB hubs that allow your computer to handle more USB lines

Below we describe these product solutions, many of which have been

The benefits of fiber optic connectivity are undeniable – high bandwidth over long distances and immunity to EMI, for starters. As a result, ShowMeCables has been adding a lot of new fiber optic patch cables to its inventory.

We thought it would be helpful to take a pause to clarify the differences among the chief types of fiber cable we offer. Below are the unique traits and main uses of each type:

Single Mode Fiber Optic Patch Cables

Unique Traits: A single light mode travels through the core, allowing for lower light dispersion and thus higher bandwidths over longer distances.

Main Uses: Long-distance, high-speed communication, including telecom networks, internet backbone, data centers, and enterprise networks. Shorter patch cables are used to connect: networking gear, servers, and storage units in data centers; equipment within a central office or data exchange point on telecom networks; the optical network terminal (ONT) to the fiber distribution point within a subscriber’s home for

Server room equipment has been around for decades and the vast majority is offered in one color – black. However, in recent years, the trend toward lighter-colored server racks and cabinets has gained popularity among IT professionals. In response to this growing interest, ShowMeCables recently introduced a new line of white server racks and cabinets along with matching white server rack accessories.

There are many advantages of installing black-colored networking devices on white server racks, but here are five main ones we would like to share with you:

5 Advantages of White Racks and Cabinets

The trend towards white or lighter-colored cabinets has been driven by factors such as improved visibility, a cleaner aesthetic, and potential benefits in temperature regulation. Using white-colored network racks and cabinets can offer several benefits:

• Aesthetics: A white finish often gives a cleaner, more professional, and more spacious appearance. It can contribute to an organized and visually

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a musician or a roadie, an audio engineer or a record producer – or whether you mix sound in a church, club, or stadium: When the faders come up, you want dependable, true sound reproduction.

ShowMeCables might be best known for computer connectivity products, from Ethernet to fiber optic to low-loss coax cables. But through the years we have also built up a huge variety of professional audio cables. To save you time as you shop, below we summarize each of our nine types of pro audio products – what it is, how it’s used, and unique product features.

1. XLR Audio Cables

• Connector Type: XLR connectors are known for their three-pin design, typically featuring male (plug) and female (socket) connectors.
• Common Uses: XLR audio cables are widely used in professional audio settings. They are primarily employed for connecting microphones to audio interfaces, mixers, and other audio equipment. They are also used for balanced audio connections, ensuring low noise and

USB-C right angle cables have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their numerous advantages over traditional straight cables. These cables (sometimes called USB 3.1), which feature a 90-degree bend at one end, offer a range of benefits that make them a preferred choice for many users. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or simply someone who wants a more convenient charging and data transfer experience, here are some advantages of a USB-C right angle cable:

1. Space-saving design: One of the main advantages of Universal Serial Bus C right angle cables is their space-saving design. The 90-degree bend allows the cable to lay flat against the device, minimizing the amount of space required. This is particularly useful when using devices in tight spaces or when there are multiple cables connected to a single device.
2. Prevents cable strain: Traditional straight cables often experience strain and bending when connected to devices, which can lead to fraying and breakage over time. A

Low-loss coaxial cable is designed to minimize signal loss when transmitting high-frequency electrical signals, particularly radio frequency (RF) signals. It is commonly used in applications where signal integrity is critical, such as in telecommunications, broadcasting, wireless communication, and high-frequency data transmission.

Below we discuss some of the main benefits and uses of low-loss coax and the differences among five popular types, from LMR-100 to LMR-600. We conclude with some unique features of ShowMeCables’ huge selection of these problem-solving products.

Low-Loss Coaxial Cable Benefits and Uses

Here are some key characteristics, benefits, and uses of low-loss coaxial cable:

• Low Signal Loss: Low-loss coaxial cables are designed with special materials and construction techniques to minimize signal attenuation (loss) over long distances. This is crucial for high-frequency applications where signal degradation can lead to poor performance.
• High Frequency Range: These cables

We have written before about the benefits of buying your cable in bulk lengths rather than in shorter pre-made cable assemblies. Bulk cable allows you to cut custom lengths to perfectly fit your installation, it costs less, and with less excess slack in your network it is easier to perform maintenance.

However, in past blog posts we have centered mostly on our wide selection of bulk Ethernet cable, from Cat5e up to Cat8. This time we are highlighting 6 of the 11 other types of bulk cable we offer.

Bulk Savings

At ShowMeCables, buying bulk cable means buying by the foot or by the spool, with a spool typically measuring 500 or 1,000 feet. The general rule is that the more feet or more spools you buy, the less you pay per foot.

The savings can be considerable. For instance, for some types of coaxial cable, our price for 1,000 feet is 20% to 30% less per foot than if you buy up to 49 feet of coax. With other types of cable the bulk savings is in the 13% to 18% range.

Below we list and link