What Is a LAN Cable and How Do You Choose the Right One?

Updated

A LAN cable is the physical copper cabling that carries network signals between devices in a local area network — your router, switch, PC, access point, or wall outlet. In everyday use, "LAN cable," "Ethernet cable," and "network cable" describe the same thing; "patch cord" refers specifically to a pre-terminated cable with connectors on both ends, meant for short runs between equipment. Choose by three things: the speed your equipment needs, the length of the run, and the electrical environment the cable passes through. The sections below explain each factor and how the common categories compare.

LAN cable vs. Ethernet cable vs. patch cord

These terms overlap, but they are not identical in scope:

Term What it means Typical use
LAN cable / network cable General name for twisted-pair copper cabling used in local networks Covers both bulk cable and finished assemblies
Ethernet cable The same cable described by the networking standard it serves (Ethernet) Interchangeable with LAN cable in most contexts
Patch cord A finished, pre-terminated cable with plugs on both ends Connecting a device to a wall jack, patch panel, or switch
Structured cabling The permanent installed cabling system inside a building Runs inside walls, ending at keystone jacks and patch panels

The practical distinction: bulk LAN cable is cut and terminated on site for permanent runs, while patch cords are factory-made for the flexible connections at each end. Cable-Master, a Taiwan-based manufacturer operating since 1983, produces both — LAN cable and patch cords — along with the supporting parts that make up a structured cabling system: RJ45 modular plugs, keystone jacks, patch panels, inline couplers, and cable management accessories.

Categories: what each one supports

Category ratings describe the cable's tested performance. Higher categories support higher frequencies and therefore higher data rates, but only if the connectors and equipment on both ends also support them.

  • Cat 5 — the original widely deployed category; largely superseded.
  • Cat 5e — the common baseline for gigabit Ethernet; still adequate for most home and small-office runs.
  • Cat 6 — supports higher frequencies than Cat 5e and is the usual choice for new gigabit and multi-gig installations.
  • Cat 6a — extended performance for higher-speed multi-gig links, often used in new backbone and data-center runs.
  • Cat 7 — a shielded, higher-frequency design; note that its performance depends on the whole channel being built to the same standard, including connectors.

Two rules matter more than the category number:

  1. The weakest link sets the speed. A Cat 6a cable terminated with a Cat 5e keystone jack performs at the lower rating.
  2. Distance limits apply. Twisted-pair Ethernet is specified for runs up to roughly 100 meters (about 328 feet) including patch cords at both ends. Longer runs need fiber or an active extender.

Shielded vs. unshielded: when shielding matters

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) is the default for homes and offices and is usually sufficient. Shielding (STP, FTP, or S/FTP) adds a foil or braided layer around the pairs, or around the whole cable, to reduce electromagnetic interference and crosstalk.

Shielding is worth considering when:

  • The cable runs alongside power lines, motors, or fluorescent ballasts.
  • The installation is in an industrial or electrically noisy environment.
  • You need the highest categories, which are often only offered in shielded constructions.

Shielding only helps if it is grounded properly at termination. A shielded cable with an ungrounded or poorly bonded connector can perform worse than unshielded cable. Cable-Master's product line includes shielded constructions such as Cat 7 S-FTP double-jacket LAN cable, alongside unshielded options.

Connectors and termination

A complete channel has several parts, and each must match the cable category:

  • RJ45 modular plugs — crimped onto bulk cable ends or molded onto patch cords.
  • Keystone jacks — the female sockets installed in wall plates or patch panels.
  • Patch panels — where permanent horizontal runs terminate in a rack or closet.
  • Inline couplers — join two patch cords for an extension.
  • Cable management — trays, ties, and organizers that keep bends within spec and runs identifiable.

For permanent runs, terminating into keystone jacks and a patch panel is generally more reliable and easier to re-configure than crimping plugs directly onto solid-core cable. Factory-made patch cords are the better choice for the flexible connections at each end.

How to choose: a practical sequence

  1. Check your equipment's port speed. If your router, switch, and devices are gigabit, Cat 5e or Cat 6 is enough. If you have multi-gig ports, step up to Cat 6 or Cat 6a.
  2. Measure the run. Stay within the ~100 m channel limit. For longer distances, plan for fiber or an extender rather than a higher category.
  3. Look at the environment. Noisy electrical surroundings or long parallel runs with power cable favor shielded constructions — with proper grounding.
  4. Match every component. Cable, jacks, plugs, and patch panel should all be rated to the same category.
  5. Decide bulk vs. pre-made. Permanent in-wall runs use bulk cable plus jacks and a patch panel; device connections use factory patch cords.
  6. Confirm compliance. For commercial or regulated installations, look for certifications such as UL, CSA, ETL, or EU CPR, and performance to TIA/EIA or ISO/IEC specifications. Cable-Master holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, UL, CSA, ETL, EU CPR, REACH, and RoHS certifications and states that its products perform to applicable TIA/EIA and ISO/IEC specifications.

Common questions

Can I use a Cat 6 patch cord with Cat 5e wall cabling? Yes, it will work, but the channel performs at the Cat 5e level. Match components to get the full rating.

Does a higher category always mean faster internet? No. Your internet speed is capped by your service plan and equipment. Higher categories matter for internal network traffic between devices.

Is shielded cable always better? No. In a typical home or office, unshielded cable is simpler and performs well. Shielding adds value only in noisy environments and only when properly grounded.

What about custom lengths and volume orders? Manufacturers such as Cable-Master offer custom designs and large-volume production alongside standard patch cords, which is relevant if you are specifying cabling for a whole building rather than buying a few cables.

For most home and small-office jobs, Cat 6 unshielded cable with matching jacks and factory patch cords covers current and near-future needs. Step up to shielded or higher categories only when your equipment, distance, or environment actually requires it.