ShowMeCables Has Ethernet Cables for Every Application

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 is terminated. The color code specifies the order in which the individual wires within the cable should be connected to the pins on the connector.

M12 Ethernet Cables

The connectors on M12 Ethernet cables can have different configurations, including three, four, five, or eight pins. They have a circular, screw-locking design that provides a more robust, reliable connection for use in settings such as factories, in transportation systems where vibrations, movement, and temperature fluctuations are common, and in military applications where durability and reliability are paramount. Read more about the top five benefits of M12 Ethernet cables.

Hybrid RJ45-to-M12 Cables

A patch cable with an RJ45 connector on one end and an M12 on the other can bridge the gap between standard networking equipment (using the RJ45) and ruggedized industrial machinery (using the M12).

GigE RJ45 Ethernet Cables

GigE patch cables are compatible with Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) networks, which support data transfer rates of 1 gigabit per second. Our GigE cables meet the GigE Vision industrial camera interface standard that allows for the transfer of high-speed video and imaging data over GbE networks. These cables are robust enough to perform under continuous motion in factory automation and robotics applications.

EtherCon RJ45 Ethernet Cables

Our tactical-grade EtherCon cables are ruggedized with a stout metal housing around the connectors and a durable rubber jacket for use in harsh environments. We offer both an ultra-flexible EtherCon model that coils like a microphone cable and an ultra-rugged EtherCon option with a thicker wire gauge.

Coded Ethernet Cables

Some of our Ethernet patch cables are labeled as A Code, B Code, D Code, L Code, S Code, or X Code. These specify the wiring schemes within the cable’s connectors, ensuring consistency and compatibility between devices.

For A Code cables, the wiring arrangement follows the TIA/EIA-568-A standard. B Code cables adhere to the widely used TIA/EIA-568-B standard, which ensures compatibility with most networking equipment and is the recommended standard for new installations. D Code cables are often associated with M12 connectors, specifying a particular pin assignment within the M12 series. L Code, S Code, and X Code cables are similar to D code and may also be used in the context of M12 connectors, indicating a specific pin assignment or configuration. X Code patch cables are especially rugged, made to shine in the most challenging industrial Ethernet applications.

Number of Pins

Ethernet cables come with different pin (aka “pole” or “position”) counts. The RJ45 connector used in Ethernet cables has eight pins, with each pin serving a specific function. Pin 1 transmits the positive signal, Pin 3 receives the positive signal, and so forth.

Most of our Ethernet patch cables have the standard eight-pin RJ45 connector. However, if you are looking for a cable with an M12 or M8 connector, which are common in industrial applications, you can narrow your search by stipulating three, four, five, or eight pins. Three pins provide a simple electrical connection or signaling. Four pins transmit basic data signals and sometimes provide power. Five pins allow for more versatility in the types of signals or power transmitted. Eight pins can handle higher data transfer rates, more complex signaling, and greater power requirements.

Shielded vs. Unshielded Ethernet Cables

Shielded Ethernet cables (STP) feature an added layer to guard against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI). They’re commonly used in industrial settings. Unshielded Ethernet cables (UTP), lacking the extra shielding layer, utilize the inherent noise resistance of twisted pairs. UTP cables are cost-effective, flexible, and widely used in standard networking scenarios like homes and offices. The choice between shielded and unshielded depends on the level of EMI expected in the environment.

Jacket Material

The jacket you need depends on where the Ethernet cable will be located – indoors, outdoors, under a drop ceiling, near chemicals, and so on. We offer almost two dozen jacket choices to protect your cable in any environment, from a factory floor to a hospital operating room to outdoors to underground. For a summary of jacket choices and features, click here.

Form Factor

An Ethernet cable’s form factor is the direction it goes coming out of the point of connection: straight or 90 degrees upward, downward, right, or left. Ethernet ports are often located on the back of a rack or enclosure, close to a wall; angled connectors allow multiple plug-ins in these tight spaces. Right-angle and left-angle connectors are also handy on the front of a rack, to immediately direct cables off to the side and out of the way. To meet any need you might have, we carry patch cables with all combinations of form factors – upward to downward, right to left, straight to upward, etc.

Wire Gauge (AWG)

We offer Ethernet patch cables in eight different wire gauges, from thick 16 AWG to thin 34 AWG. Thicker gauges have lower resistance, allowing signals to travel longer distances with less signal loss. Because of their greater durability, they are suitable for harsh environments such as industrial settings. They are also often preferred for PoE applications. Thinner gauges are lighter and more flexible, take up less space, and generally cost less. Medium gauges (24 to 26 AWG) strike a good balance between thickness and flexibility.

Boot Style

The boot style of an Ethernet cable refers to the type of protective covering or housing that surrounds the connector at the ends of the cable. A molded boot integrates the connector and protective boot into one piece for durability. A standard boot provides some level of strain relief for the cable but has less protection than a molded boot. A slip-on boot slips onto the cable after termination, providing additional protection and strain relief but making it easier to replace a damaged boot without re-terminating the cable. A panel-mount boot enables a cable to be mounted to a panel or surface to create a secure mount and strain relief in applications where cables are connected and disconnected frequently. A slim boot offers protection and strain relief but is great for tight spaces in densely populated network racks.

Cost Savings with Bulk Ethernet Cable

You can save money by buying your Ethernet cable in bulk lengths rather than in shorter Ethernet patch cables. We offer more than 100 types of bulk Ethernet cable, which typically come in spools of 1,000 or 500 feet. You can also get shorter rolls of any length down to 1 foot.

Lower cost per foot. A 500-foot or 1,000-foot roll of bulk Cat5e, bulk Cat6, bulk Cat6a, bulk Cat7 , or bulk Cat8 Ethernet cable can cost from 20% to 80% less than when it is purchased in short segments. Also, with bulk Ethernet cable you can cut it to the exact lengths you need, which means shorter, more efficient connections and less wasted product.

Quicker maintenance. Eliminating the mess of excess cable also makes it easier to install, remove, or re-route cords and to troubleshoot wiring problems. Faulty connections are easier to find in a well-ordered installation, which means less time spent on maintenance.

Less downtime. We understand that you cannot afford for your systems to be down. If something needs to be replaced, you need it now, and we can ship bulk Ethernet cable as soon as you order it, with same-day shipping.

The vast majority of ShowMeCables’ Ethernet patch cables and bulk Ethernet cable are in stock and available with same-day shipping. In-stock products ordered before 5 p.m. ET ship the same day. Flat-rate UPS ground shipping is only $8.99.

Questions? Contact our U.S.-based customer service at +1 (888) 519-9505, email us or chat.

Specifications and Applications for Ethernet Cables