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Network Cables & Accessories

Network cables and the parts that finish them: RJ45 patch leads in categories such as Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a and Cat7, bulk data cable on 100m and 305m reels, RG6 and RG59 coaxial cable, flat telephone cable, and parts such as RJ45 plugs, couplers, strain relief boots, a Cat6 outlet module and a 24-port Cat5e patch panel. Connectix and Belden supply the most, and examples include the AV:Link 113.136UK leads and Mercury 808.011UK cable.

Choosing Network Cables & Accessories

Pick the cable category first, then decide between a ready-made patch lead and bulk cable that you terminate yourself.

Patch leads

Cat5e leads such as the 113.156UK carry 100/1000Base-T Ethernet on solid 24AWG copper clad aluminium. Cat6 leads such as the 113.140UK use stranded 25AWG copper, are rated to 250 MHz and 1Gbps, and have snag-less boots. For 10Gbps, the Cat7 S/FTP 113.705UK has a foil screen on each pair plus an overall braid and handles 600MHz, and the Cat6a FTP 113.735UK is a flat lead for narrow trunking or for chasing across walls and ceilings.

Bulk cable

Most Mercury data cable comes on 305m boxes or drums. OFC cables such as the 808.011UK Cat6 U/UTP pass a Fluke test at 100m and 250MHz, while Economy cables such as the 808.025UK use solid copper clad aluminium. LSZH cables such as the 808.015UK (Cat6) and 808.033UK (Cat6a S/FTP) have a low smoke zero halogen sheath, and outdoor cables such as the 808.041UK have an LDPE sheath with UV resistant properties.

Coaxial and telephone cable

The RG6 cables are 75 ohm, for TV and satellite: the 808.121UK is foam filled with a foil screen and aluminium braid, and the twin 808.127UK suits a dish with a dual or quad LNB. For CCTV, the SFX RG59/PRO is 75Ω solid copper coax for HD and power over coax installations. The 804.856UK is flat 4-core telephone and data cable for RJ11, RJ12 and RJ45 connectors.

Plugs, boots and panels

To make up leads, the 779.224UK RJ45 8P8C plugs come in a pack of 100 and the 779.222UK RJ12 6P6C plugs in a pack of 10, and the 113.120UK strain relief boots suit Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a cable. The Knightsbridge NETRJC5 coupler joins two Cat5e leads, and the NETCAT6GY is a Cat6 RJ45 outlet module with IDC terminals for euro-module faceplates. The PNL24AB is a 1U, 24-port Cat5e patch panel for 19" racks.

ItemExampleDetail
Cat5e patch lead113.162UK20m, 24AWG
Cat6 patch lead113.132UK2.0m, snag-less
Cat7 patch lead113.710UK10m, 10Gbps
Cat6 bulk cable808.035UK305m, red, solid copper
Cat6a bulk cable808.032UK305m, U/FTP
Satellite coax808.127UKTwin RG6, 100m

Related categories

More leads are in Ethernet cables, plugs and couplers in RJ45 connectors and more coax in coaxial cable. Check the finished runs with cable testers and fault finders, and see our Help & Support guides.

Brands we stock in Network Cables & Accessories

All-Rack, AV:Link, Haydon, Kingston, Knightsbridge, Mercury, NVT Phybridge and SFX Cables.

Frequently asked questions

Which patch lead category do I need?

Match the lead to the speed of the equipment and the cable it joins. Cat5e leads such as the 113.150UK carry 100/1000Base-T, Cat6 leads such as the 113.134UK are rated to 250 MHz and 1Gbps, and Cat7 S/FTP leads such as the 113.715UK and flat Cat6a FTP leads such as the 113.733UK are rated to 10Gbps. The 113.134UK is also fully backwards compatible with an existing network.

Should I choose copper or copper clad aluminium cable?

Choose OFC copper cable where the run must carry HDBaseT. The 808.001UK Cat5e and 808.035UK Cat6 use solid OFC conductors and are HDBaseT compliant. Economy cables such as the 808.021UK use solid copper clad aluminium and still pass a Cat5e Fluke test at 100m and 100MHz.

When should I use LSZH network cable?

Use LSZH cable where smoke from a fire is a concern. The low smoke zero halogen sheath on cables such as the 808.005UK Cat5e and the 808.031UK Cat6a minimises the risk of thick black smoke and poisonous fumes in the event of a fire. The 808.031UK also has an aluminium foil screen on each pair.

Can I run network cable outdoors?

Yes, with cable made for it. The 808.010UK Cat5e, 808.041UK Cat6 and 808.034UK Cat6a outdoor cables have LDPE sheaths with UV resistant properties, and the Economy 808.023UK has a UV resistant PE sheath. Standard indoor cable such as the SFX Cat5e LSZH reel is recommended for internal use.

What do I need to make up my own network leads?

You need bulk cable, RJ45 plugs, strain relief boots and a crimp tool. The 779.224UK RJ45 8P8C plugs come in a pack of 100 and the Haydon RJ45CRIMP plugs in a pack of 10 for Cat5 cable. The 113.120UK boots suit Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a, and the Haydon grey boots come in a pack of 10 for Cat5 cable. Test the finished leads before they go into service.

Which coax cable suits a satellite dish?

Use RG6 for satellite, and the twin 808.127UK where the dish has a dual or quad LNB. The 808.127UK is 75 ohm twin RG6 with a copper clad steel conductor, foam filled dielectric, foil screen and aluminium braid. The single 808.117UK and 808.121UK RG6 cables are also made for digital, satellite and cable TV signal transmission.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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