Long Patch Cord vs Bulk Cat 5e cable

[childersa]

(A quick edit to state clarify that I am looking to maintain at least 100Mbps on the connection, though would be interested to know whether it would affect performance up to 1000Mbps.)

I am needing to make a run of Cat 5e from a closet in my home to our media center, which is about 100 feet away. I have been looking into purchasing some Cat5e UTP for that purpose, but have also found patch cords that are 100-250 feet in length that are preterminated.

Instead of buying a box of 500 feet of Cat 5e, can I just use one of these 150ft long patch cords and run it through my walls and attic, and avoid having to terminate the wiring?

Is there a difference between a pre-terminated "patch cord" and the un-terminated cable that you can buy in bulk?

It is a single run, and don't really need a large box of cable when a cheaper 150 foot section would suffice.

 

[greens]

You should be able to get the specs on the patch cable, it is probably CAT 5e and will maintain 1000Mbps.

Patch cables can be different in their construction, but they are no different in function.

For your purposes they are the same.

In case you were curious often times patch cables use strands instead of solid core, allowing them to bend more dramatically without difficulty or issue.

 

[childersa]

Thank you for the help greens. Sounds like a patch cord would be the best solution for me.

 

[kanewolf]

Technically, if you are running patch cord through the walls, you are violating fire code. Most patch cord has a vinyl covering which burns easily and acts like a candle wick. BUT nobody pays attention to that requirement. I just wanted to be sure you were aware of it. Some home inspector in the future, when you are trying to sell could be picky ...

Fishing terminated cable is more difficult than unterminated cables. Also, if you are running through the walls, you would usually use "keystone" RJ45 jack wall plugs. You don't terminate the cable to the equipment, you terminate it to the wall plug. It is a much cleaner installation than just a cable sticking out of the wall.

 

[childersa]

Thank you for your clarification. I had hoped to use pre terminated cable since I don't have the tools (or knowledge) to do it myself. Not sure it would be cost effective to buy the right tools to do it myself either.

Maybe the technician from my internet provider would be willing to do it as part of the install.

 

[kanewolf]

It is a useful skill. To terminate bulk cable into keystone jacks mostly requires a knife, a pair of wire cutters and good vision. They even make toolless jacks.
The main thing is if you are running through walls you REALLY want a wall plate to make it look nice.

 

[childersa]

Thanks, Kane! For now, since I am just running it to a media cabinet where it can't be seen, I think I'll go with the $25.00 patch cable. I agree it isn't the best solution, but with only a day to get it done and no experience, I think this will be good at least until I replace it with something better. Thank you everyone!