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

A networking cable is the physical medium that carries data between devices in a network — computers, switches, routers, access points, and patch panels. In everyday use, "networking cable" is the umbrella term that covers LAN cable, Ethernet cable, and patch cord, all of which describe the same family of twisted-pair copper cabling from different angles. Choose one by matching four things to your situation: category (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat7), shielding (UTP, FTP, S-FTP), conductor gauge, and the connector or termination type your equipment expects. If you are wiring a home or small office run, a Cat6 UTP patch cord with RJ45 plugs on both ends is usually enough; if you are pulling cable through walls or ceilings near power lines, shielding and jacket material start to matter more.

Networking cable vs. LAN cable vs. Ethernet cable vs. patch cord

These terms overlap heavily, which is why they get used interchangeably. The difference is one of scope and form, not of technology.

A patch cord is a networking cable that has already been cut to length and fitted with plugs. A LAN cable is often sold in bulk reels for permanent installation, then terminated on site. The underlying copper and twist geometry can be identical — the difference is whether it arrives pre-assembled or as raw cable.

The selection factors that actually change performance

Category (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat7)

Category defines the cable's rated bandwidth and the speeds it can support over a given distance. Higher categories use tighter twists and, from Cat6 upward, often a physical separator to reduce crosstalk between pairs. For most current office and home networks, Cat6 is the common baseline; Cat7 adds stricter shielding and is chosen where interference or future headroom is a concern. Cable-Master's product line spans Cat5, Cat6, and Cat7 cable, so the category you pick should follow the speed and distance you need rather than the highest number available.

Shielding (UTP, FTP, S-FTP)

• UTP (unshielded twisted pair): no foil or braid; simplest and most flexible, fine for typical indoor runs away from heavy electrical noise.
• FTP (foiled twisted pair): an overall foil shield around the pairs; reduces interference in busier environments.
• S-FTP (screened foiled twisted pair): both an overall shield and shielding around individual pairs; used where signal integrity is critical. Cable-Master lists a Cat7 S-FTP double-jacket LAN cable, an example of the highest-shielding construction in that range.

Shielding only helps if it is grounded properly at termination. An ungrounded shielded cable can perform worse than plain UTP, so match the shield to your grounding setup.

Conductor gauge

Gauge (AWG) describes the thickness of the copper conductors. Thicker conductors generally mean lower resistance and better performance over distance, but also a stiffer, heavier cable. Thinner, ultra-slim constructions are easier to route in dense racks — Cable-Master, for instance, offers a 28AWG ultra-slim patch cord for exactly that kind of high-density patching.

Connectors and termination

The connector must match the port. Common networking terminations include:

• RJ45 plugs — the standard plug on pre-made patch cords.
• Keystone jacks — the socket that mounts in a wall plate or panel.
• Patch panels — a bank of ports where permanent horizontal cabling is terminated and organized.
• Inline couplers — join two patch cords into one longer run.

A patch cord with molded RJ45 plugs is plug-and-play; bulk LAN cable needs plugs or jacks crimped or punched down on site, which requires the right tooling and a bit of practice.

Practical considerations before you buy

• Length limits. Ethernet over twisted pair has a standard channel limit of about 100 meters for the full run, including patch cords at both ends. Keep permanent runs well under that and count your patch cords toward the total.
• Environment and jacket material. In plenum spaces (above a dropped ceiling or under a raised floor where air circulates), building codes typically require a specific jacket rating. Low-smoke-halogen-free (LSHF) jackets are chosen where smoke and halogen output in a fire matter — Cable-Master lists a UL-certified CMX-LSHF cable for this purpose.
• Certification and standards. Look for cables tested to recognized standards. Cable-Master states ISO 9001, ISO 14001, UL, CSA, ETL, EU CPR, REACH, and RoHS credentials and says its products perform in accordance with applicable TIA/EIA and ISO/IEC specifications. Certification is your evidence that the category and shielding claims were actually verified.
• Solid vs. stranded. Solid conductors suit permanent runs; stranded conductors are more flexible and better for patch cords that get moved.

A quick way to decide

1. Identify the job. Permanent in-wall run → bulk LAN cable. Device-to-jack connection → patch cord.
2. Match the category to your network. Cat6 covers most current needs; step up to Cat7 with S-FTP only if interference or future bandwidth justifies it.
3. Pick shielding based on the environment. Clean office → UTP. Near motors, fluorescent ballasts, or long parallel power runs → FTP or S-FTP with proper grounding.
4. Choose the gauge for the space. Standard gauge for general use; ultra-slim (e.g., 28AWG) for dense patch panels.
5. Confirm the connector. RJ45 plugs, keystone jacks, or patch panel ports — whichever your equipment uses.
6. Check the jacket and certifications against your building code and any project spec.

If you are ordering in volume or need a non-standard length or construction, a manufacturer that also does custom designs and large orders — as Cable-Master describes its own service — can produce to your spec rather than forcing you to adapt a catalog item.