Networking is incomplete with patch cables bulk. They are an important part of any network and these are the five things that you should know about them.
- What Actually Is A Patch Cable?
A patch cable ensures smooth and seamless operation of electronic and optical equipment of your networks. Using patch cables enhances overall network performance by allowing them to work at their maximum bandwidth capabilities and data transfer speeds.
- When do you need a patch cable?
A patch cable connects two electronic or optical devices together and allows signal routing. It is solely designed for network applications as it patches signals from one switch, router, or hub to another switch, hub, or router. Patch cables transfer a wide range of signals, such as:
Audio
Video
Digital signals for network and non-network applications
Telephone
- Difference between patch cable & patch cord
Although both terms are often used interchangeably, there exists a minor difference between the two. Patch cables are used for networked applications whereas patch cords are used for non-networked applications.
Routers or patch panels are mounted hardware assembled with ports to connect & manage outgoing and incoming patch cables in a LAN. If you wanna arrange the circuits in any network’s patch panel, plug or unplug the specific patch cables. Patch cables are made from following types of cables: STP, UTP, Coaxial, and fiber optic cables.
- What is pigtail in patch cables?
This term refers to the patch cable type that has been terminated on one side to expose bare copper conductors/wires. These pigtail patch cables come in handy when setting up direct & permanent connections. You might be wondering why only bare copper conductors are used in construction of ethernet patch cables? Well, here is the reason.
They are used because of their ductility, tensile strength, pliability, thermal expansion, and corrosion resistance. Also, speaking of ethernet patch cables, they are the same in composition and nature as that of normal patch cables. The only thing that distinguishes them is the fact that patch cables are much shorter in lengths when compared to normal size ethernet cables.
The ethernet patch cables used by Local Area Networks (LANs) are Cat5e, ethernet cables, Cat6 ethernet cables, and Cat6a ethernet cables. It has been observed that nearly all manufacturers use slightly different methods to allow unique electrical performance for their patch cables bulk.
- Jumper cables are fiber optic patch cables
Fiber optic patch cables are also called jumper cables. These cables have termination at each end that allows them to be easily installed with CATV, Optical switch, or any other telecommunications equipment. The jumper cables connect to a receiver, optical transmitter, or a terminal box. The fiber optic patch cables are available in two varieties: Multimode fiber optic patch cables and single-mode fiber optic patch cables.
Whether you buy a fiber optic patch cable or an ethernet patch cable, always make sure that you buy patch cables from a trusted supplier. This is important as the performance of your whole network depends on it. So, instead of saving money, go for optimum networking results.
