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Power strips are useful devices, but alone they won’t give you the complete surge protection you need. Comprehensive surge protection is needed to safeguard electrical systems and data networks. Electrical surges, whether from lightning strikes, power grid fluctuations, or other sources, can damage electronic equipment and infrastructure. This can lead to costly repairs, data loss, and downtime for businesses and homes alike.

Installing surge protectors can mitigate these risks and ensure the longevity and reliability of electrical and data systems. There are five main types of surge protection devices (SPDs), each designed to address specific types of surges and protect different aspects of your infrastructure:

• Coaxial surge protectors
• Data line surge protectors
• Power surge protectors
• USB surge protectors
• Grounding accessories

By understanding the different types of surge protection available and their applications, you can choose the right solutions to safeguard your systems. Below we explore the chief functions and benefits of each of the five types.

Coaxial and Data Line Surge Protectors

Though they serve different purposes, both coaxial surge protectors and data line surge protectors have similar basic functions. Coaxial surge protectors protect coaxial cables and the devices connected to them from power surges and lightning strikes. Data line surge protectors do the same for data transmission lines and the devices connected to them and can be used with various types of data cables, including Ethernet cables, telephone lines, and other networking cables.

Here are their primary functions:

You might think that server enclosure accessories are add-ons − useful but not essential. But one thing we’ve learned at ShowMeCables in our years of providing server enclosure accessories to IT professionals is that these devices are some of the most essential products we offer. They allow our customers to get the maximum use and value out of their server racks and to create efficient cable installations that take less time to manage and maintain.

There are thousands of these products on the market, so we’ve distilled them into three categories to help you zero in on what you might need. The following table shows what products fall into each category. We hope the rest of the blog helps you find the basic features and benefits of what you are looking for.

3 Types of Server Enclosure Accessories

As fiber optic connectivity grows in popularity, one question we hear a lot at ShowMeCables is what the difference is between fiber patch cables and other types of fiber cables. The quick answer is that fiber patch cables are designed for relatively short-distance connections, usually less than 50 feet, within a network or between devices. They also come with connectors on both ends of the cable, for ease of installation.

Other types of fiber cable have different traits. For example, fiber optic distribution cable is designed for longer-distance transmission such as from one building to another, is often deployed outdoors, and does not include connectors.

Of course, all types of fiber cable offer the same advantages over copper cable. These include faster data transmission over longer distances, higher bandwidth, less signal loss, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), and more secure lines.

Below we detail the distinctive features of fiber optic patch cables, followed by some ways you can apply them to your network. We conclude with a table showing our wide selection of these useful products.

Distinctive Features of Fiber Patch Cables

Here are some key differences between fiber optic patch cables and other types of fiber optic cables:

• Length and Use: Though single fiber optic cables come in lengths from about 18 inches to 328 feet (100 meters), fiber patch cables are typically on the short end of that spectrum, ranging from a few feet up to 50 feet. They are intended for patching (connecting) devices within a confined area, such as within a data center or between network equipment in an office building.
• Connector Types: Patch cables often come with pre-terminated connectors

If masses of cables are threatening to take over your data center, IT closet, or network rack, there are plenty of products to get them under control − in fact, there are so many cable management devices on the market, it might be hard to find the ones that would best serve you. To simplify, below we divide cable management products into the three basic functions they serve:

• Rack cable managers attach to an enclosure’s rack rails to organize and direct cables running in and out.
• Room cable managers are wire-mesh trays that carry cables through a room or from room to room, as well as wall-mount D-rings and cable claws.
• Cable protectors are rack-mount lacer bars and strips that serve as strain relief, as well as grommets that provide a smooth edge for cables passing through enclosure openings.

Following is more on these three product categories, with examples drawn from ShowMeCables’ 150+ cable management solutions.

1. Rack Cable Managers

• Single D-Rings: Rack-mount D-rings neatly gather cables and direct them away from the front of the rack so you can see the front panels of your components. The advantage of a D-ring over a zip tie or Velcro strip is that it makes it easier to find and move one cable within a bundle.
• Cable Ducts: Cable ducts mount vertically to one or both rack rails and neatly conceal cables as they direct them away from the front of the rack and up or down. Feed-through holes along the entire length of the back side of the duct lets cables enter and exit at any point.

The detachable power cord you get when you buy an electronic device is not always the one you need – sometimes a right-angle power cord would serve you better. Especially when your device is located in a tight space and is sharing an electrical outlet with other components, a right-angle power cord will make your installation more functional.

Angled AC cords, also referred to as 90-degree power cords whether they angle right or left, can replace the universal power cords you use for computers, monitors, servers, printers, scanners, AV equipment, and more. These CPU/PDU power cables come in four main types:

• Right-angle plugs that direct a power cord 90 degrees left or right from the outlet
• Right-angle connectors that direct a cord 90 degrees left/right from the back of a device or PDU
• Rotating right-angle plugs that direct a cord in any direction from the outlet
• Upward-angle connectors that direct a cord 90 degrees upward from the back of a device

Following are four ways you can benefit from power cords with 90-degree angled plugs and connectors:

4 Benefits of Right-Angle Power Cords:

1. More Compact Installations: Straight plugs and connectors protrude from o

To transmit your electrical signals with low loss and no interference, and do it with cost-effectiveness, you can’t beat bulk coaxial cable. With its copper core protected by shielding, dielectric insulation, and a rugged outer jacket, coax is perfect for so many uses – especially when bought in money-saving bulk coaxial cable spools that allow you to custom cut it to the exact lengths you need.

Below we describe how coax is different from other cable types, what its best uses are, and the advantages of buying it in bulk lengths of up to 1,000 feet. We conclude with a few features of our extensive line of bulk coax.

Coaxial Cable Benefits

Coaxial cable is known for its cylindrical construction and the presence of multiple layers. It consists of a central conductor, which is usually a copper or aluminum wire, surrounded by an insulating layer. Outside the insulator, there is a metallic shield, and the entire cable is covered by an outer insulating layer.

The nature of coaxial cable provides many advantages:

• Signal Integrity: Coax is designed to carry high-frequency signals with minimal interference. The structure, with a central conductor and insulating layers, helps to prevent signal leakage and external interference.
• High Bandwidth: Coaxial cable boasts robust support for high bandwidth, catering to the insatiable demand for data among consumers. While fiber optics theoretically offer unlimited bandwidth, coaxial cable implementations prove more accessible and cost-effective, avoiding hurdles like optical beat interference (OBI) that can hinder fiber solutions.
• Protection: The metallic shield around the central conductor blocks external electromagnetic interference (EMI) and also contains the signals within the cable, reducing the risk of interference with nea

Whether you work in an office building, at home, or somewhere in between, you probably rely on electronic devices like cell phones, computers, printers, scanners, routers, and modems. Such devices are wonderful as long as they’re plugged in or have some battery life. This requires keeping track of all your power cords and charging devices, and having backups in case one becomes damaged or goes missing.

To prevent those stressful situations where a critical office device suddenly becomes useless due to a lost or broken power supply, ShowMeCables offers a full line of power adapters. They include:

• Adapters that enable a power cord to safely work with many types of devices
• AC-to-DC adapters that serve as cost-effective backup and replacement power supplies
• Adapters that can charge all your USB devices at once
• Adapters that will turn your outlets into smart outlets

Following are the functions of the main types of power adapters we offer.

AC Power Adapters

There are so many types of AC power cords − C7, C13, C14, and many more. But what if you need, say, a NEMA 5-15 cord but all you have is a C13? Instead of ordering a new cable, spend less on a C13-to-NEMA 5-15 adapter and continue getting value out of that C13 power cord.

ShowMeCables has AC power adapters that give you various combinations of the following connectors:

• C7: This two-pin connection is commonly used for low-power devices such as radios, some laptops, and audio/video equipment. It is non-polarized and ungrounded.
• C13: This popular three-pin, grounded connector is often used for desktop computers, monitors, pri

Your company offers excellent products and/or services and you want to get that message out to your potential customers in a compelling way. A way that not only informs them but in subtle ways reflects your organization’s competence, quality consciousness, and technological proficiency. That might mean upgrading the audio and video elements of your message.

Decades ago, employing the latest sound and graphics technologies was considered mere window dressing for most organizations. But now, people, including your customers, are much more technology savvy. They are accustomed to receiving messages packaged with high-definition video and pristine audio.

ShowMeCables has monitored this trend since we started out in 1995, so we’ve repeatedly upgraded our inventory with audio video cables that give you the fastest data transfer speeds and highest image resolutions. But we still offer older-style cables that remain popular. With so many types of A/V cables on the market, it’s easy to get them confused. We offer the table below to summarize the main A/V cable types we offer and the applications for each.

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 area network (LAN). Patch cables are available in various lengths and categories. Because they are pre-terminated, with a connector on each end, they are made for immediate use.

“Ethernet cable” is a generic term that refers to any cable used to connect network devices, including a patch cable. A common type of Ethernet cable is Ethernet bulk cable, which comes in long lengths that can be routed through walls, ceilings, or conduits to connect different network rooms or areas in buildings and data centers. So that bulk cable can be cut to fit custom lengths, it is not terminated with connectors at the ends. The termination must be done manually by stripping the wire ends, inserting them in an RJ-45 connector and crimping the connector.

What Patch Cables Do

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 conform as well to RoHS, UL, WEEE, REACH and ISO 9001.

Angled Power Cords

Your power cables need to fit your workspace, which in some cases do not allow room for plugs to come straight out of a receptacle. To allow your cords to make sharp turns in tight spaces, ShowMeCables offers various combinations