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Reusing Old Cat 5 Patch Cables

[Q] I have some old CAT 5 Patch Cable. Can I reuse it? [A] This is not going to be a simple yes or no question. As we have discussed in previous help topics, there are great differences in the quality of materials and construction that can go into the making of CAT 5, CAT 5E or CAT 6 Patch and Crossover Cables. If the cable is cheap and poorly constructed, it probably will not take a great deal of abuse before the cable will be ready to be disposed of. Cables used in semi-permanent applications seem to have a decent life span, but then they tend to fail after they are removed for the first time. This is likely due to the cable becoming brittle after being in the same position for years at a time, and then suddenly moved and reinstalled elsewhere. If the cable is make of superior components, it will most likely still be good for years to come, and it will withstand a great deal more punishment. Keep in mind, even the best cable made can still be damaged by placing it certain high-risk situations. If you place any kind of CAT 5 Cable on the floor without a protective strip, it will take only a certain amount of traffic over it before the wires become exposed and eventually cut. It can be difficult to know for sure, but as a general rule you can look at the cable and know if it can be reused. If the integrity of the PVC jacket is still intact, and the RJ45 plug has not been pulled loose, then the cable will most likely be okay to use, unless there is hidden damage to the individual pairs. Only a test meter will verify the cable is still functional.. Use your best judgment. If the cable looks like it might be bad, then it probably is. When in doubt, throw it out. CAT 5 Cable Company provides CAT 5 and CAT 5e patch and crossover cables for all networking applications in 9 colors, and any custom length. Hand assembled and 100% tested to ensure the finest quality. RELATED FAQ QUESTION: What is the difference between CAT 5 and CAT 5e cable? Keywords: Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, CAT 5 Cable, CAT 5E Patch Cable, crossover cable, RJ45 plug