How to Select Patch Cables and Cords

Image credit:  Multi-Contact USA; Megladon Manufacturing Group, Ltd.; Allen Bradley / Rockwell Automation

Patch cables and cords are flexible cables that are terminated at both ends with a plug and used to interconnect circuits on patch panels. They are used with patch panels, groups of ports that connect lines between communications and electronic devices.

Connector Types

Patch panel ports are designed to accommodate specific types of connectors. When selecting patch cables and cords, industrial buyers must specify the correct connector type. The GlobalSpec SpecSearch database provides information about products with these connectors.

• BNC connectors are very secure bayonet-style locking devices that are used in broadcasting gear for both video and radio signals.
• Centronics® connectors are used for parallel connection and third-party peripherals. Centronics 36 connectors are not as wide as Centronics 50 connectors.
• D-shell connectors include DB9, DB15, DB25, DB37, DB50, and DB68 products. The number that follows the letter "B" indicates the number of pins.
• DIN connectors meet requirements from Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), a German standards body.
• DVI connectors are used for digital-video interface (DVI) applications and include DVI-A, DVI-D, DVI-I and M1-DA devices.
• FireWire connectors are available with 4, 6 or 9 pins.
• RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors are used for serial data transmission.
• USB connectors are used with the universal serial bus (USB) and include lettered (A and B) versions in both micro and mini sizes.

Patch cables and cords for high-speed serial data connection (HSSDC) and internal 50-pin SCSI connections are also available.

References

AnD Cable - Understanding Ethernet Patch Cords

• Black Box Patch Cables (.pdf)
  . Black Box patch cables are. That's because the quality of the cable plays a key role in. also available in many lengths, colors, and configurations,. overall network response and reliability. Faulty cords not. and are in stock and ready to ship today. only degrade network performance, but they can...
• Guide to Networking Cables
  Adapter. DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter. D-Sub Cables • D-Sub Adapters. D-Subminiature (D-Sub) Cables. D-Subminiature (D-Sub) Adapters. Factory Automation Cables. Sine MiniBoss Cord Sets. Sine MiniBoss Receptacles. Fiber Optic Patch Cables. 10-Gigabit Multimode Cables OM3. Multimode 50-Micron Cables...
• Looking for "Cheap Fiber Optic Patch Cords" - Beware of Knockoffs!
  In recent years, there has been an influx of counterfeit fiber optic cables, connectors, pigtails and patchcords coming into the U.S. from China and other Asian nations. These bogus fiber optic cables may have a phony UL number, or they may purport to contain a name-brand fiber....