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 Engineering360 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 (pdf)

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