Unmatched Ethernet Cable Selection Built for Professional Networks
Why Businesses Choose PCCables.com for Networking
At PCCables.com, we know our business customers—integrators, IT departments, OEMs, and installers—need dependable, spec-compliant cabling solutions. That’s why our Network and Ethernet category carries a depth of inventory that generic retailers can’t match.
Complete Cable & Accessory Lineup
Each Cat5e and Cat6 cable is available in a wide variety of lengths (from 6 inches to 100 feet) and jacket colors, so you can match your project’s technical requirements while keeping racks and workspaces organized.
- Cat5e Straight Cables – Reliable Gigabit-ready patch cables for everyday networks.
- Cat6 Straight Cables – Higher bandwidth and future-proof performance for demanding builds.
- Cat5e Crossover Cables and Cat6 Crossover Cables – Legacy-friendly solutions for direct device-to-device connections without a hub.
- RJ-45 Connectors, Network Adapters, Jacks and Patch Panels – For clean, structured cabling installs.
RJ45 to DB9-Female Adapter, RJ45 to DB15-M Adapter, USB to Ethernet Network Adapter, Cat6 Keystone Pass Through, CAT5e Patch Panel
Choosing the Right Ethernet Cable
Not all Ethernet cables are created equal. Your project’s speed, distance, and environment determine which category is best:
- Cat5 – Limited to 100 Mbps. Rarely used today.
- Cat5e (Enhanced) – Supports up to 1 Gbps over 100 meters. A cost-effective choice for everyday office networks and VoIP.
- Cat6 – Supports 1 Gbps up to 100 meters and can handle 10 Gbps at shorter distances (up to 55 meters). This makes it ideal for server rooms, office backbones, or workstation clusters where cable runs are shorter but higher bandwidth is required. It offers better shielding and performance headroom than Cat5e, providing a cost-effective step toward future-proofing.
- Cat6a (Augmented) – Provides 10 Gbps performance up to the full 100 meters with enhanced shielding to minimize interference. Unlike Cat6, which limits 10 Gbps to shorter runs, Cat6a maintains high-speed reliability over long distances, making it the better choice for enterprises, healthcare facilities, and other high-demand backbone installations.
- Cat7 – Fully shielded cabling designed for 10 Gbps+ with reduced crosstalk. More common in specialized or European deployments.
- Cat8 – Supports 25–40 Gbps over shorter distances (up to 30 meters). Built for data centers and server interconnects where throughput is critical.
Quick Tips to choose the right cable:
- Use Cat5e for standard Gigabit office drops.
- Choose Cat6 for short 10G runs or when planning for growth.
- Deploy Cat6a or higher in high-performance environments that require reliability and longer 10G reach.
- Reserve Cat7/8 for specialized or data center applications where maximum bandwidth is essential.
Shielded vs. Unshielded Cables
Ethernet cables are available in both shielded (STP/FTP) and unshielded (UTP) versions:
- Unshielded cables (UTP) are the most common. They’re flexible, affordable, and ideal for homes and standard office networks where electrical interference is low.
- Shielded cables (STP/FTP) include an extra foil or braided layer around the wires to block interference. They’re recommended in factories, hospitals, or any environment with heavy electrical equipment or high EMI.
Match the Cable to the Application
| Use Case | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard office connections | Cat5e patch cables | Proven Gigabit support, economical |
| High-bandwidth backbones | Cat6 patch cables | Headroom for 10G, stable in noisy environments |
| Direct device links | Cat5e/Cat6 crossover cables | Peer-to-peer networking without switch |
| Industrial or EMI-heavy sites | Shielded variants | Noise rejection and signal reliability |
| Organized rack installs | Color-coded cables | Easier maintenance and troubleshooting |
Looking for Serial Cables? Read about our selection here!
Why Ethernet Still Matters in Enterprise & Industrial Networks
Even as fiber expands, copper Ethernet with RJ45 connectors remains critical inside facilities:
- Office LAN drops for workstations, phones, printers
- Data center patching between servers and switches
- Surveillance systems and access control networks
- Industrial control environments needing rugged cabling
- Temporary deployments and test environments
Benefits for B2B Buyers
- Consistency & Compliance – All cables built to TIA/EIA standards.
- Bulk Order Ready – Simplified quoting and packaging for schools, government, and enterprise rollouts.
- Time Savings – Pre-terminated, tested cables cut installation time.
- Scalability – Cat6 options give room for PoE, 10G, and future standards.
- Support – Expert team to help select the right lengths, shielding, and accessories.
Buy Now!
PCCables.com is more than an online storefront—we are a longstanding cable supplier with decades of expertise supporting industries from education to healthcare to OEM manufacturing.
Explore our full Ethernet cable selection and get the right cables—in the right length, color, and spec—every time.
