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[Q]
How often should I replace my CAT 5 Patch Cables?
[A]
Many factors will effect how long a Patch Cable will
last, but there are a few general guidelines you can follow
to help.
One
of the biggest factors influencing the life span of a Patch
Cable will be how often it is unplugged from a device. The physical
act of removing and reinserting an RJ45 plug into the jack of
a Patch Panel, Router, Network Adapter or any other similar
device will cause an expected amount of wear and tear on the
plug. Some of this wear will be to the molded head of the plug,
and some of the wear will be seen on the copper contacts. For
this reason, many server rooms will be stocked with extra cables.
Bending
and flexing of the cable will also effect how quickly it will
wear out. Patch Cables can be constructed of both Solid
and Stranded copper conductor, and no matter which one you use,
the copper can only handle a certain amount of bending and flexing
before it will break. This is why it is considered a good idea
to leave long runs of cable "in place" once they are
positioned.
Excessive
traffic across the cable can cause real problems. If you are
using long pieces of cable across a floor, catwalk, crawlspace
or similar arrangement for a "temporary run", you
need to be careful to protect the cable from physical abuse.
Covering the cable with conduit or step plates will help keep
your cable looking and performing well.
CAT
5 Cable company is committed to quality, and will always use
the best materials in the construction of your cables.
RELATED
FAQ QUESTION: What is the difference
between CAT 5 and CAT 5e cable?
Keywords:
CAT 5, Patch Cable, Patch Cables
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