I'm setting up a home office in the UK with an RJ45 wall outlet and will be connecting around 5–10 devices. To keep everything tidy, I'd like to make Ethernet cables to the exact lengths I need, probably no more than about 5 metres each. I'm looking for flexible CAT6 cable without the plastic separator or solid internal spine commonly found in bulk installation cable. White would be ideal, although another colour is fine. Where can I buy a suitable spool in the UK, and are there any brands or suppliers you'd recommend?
3 Answers
A plastic separator or spline is mainly a concern when you need very tight bends, such as inside a communications cabinet. For a home office it probably won’t cause problems, but flexible stranded cable without a spline will be easier to work with. Specialist UK networking suppliers such as Cable Monkey are worth checking for suitable CAT6 cable and connectors.
For short cables between your wall outlet, switch and devices, look for stranded CAT6 patch cable rather than solid-core installation cable. It’s much more flexible and easier to route around a desk. Make sure the RJ45 plugs you buy are designed for stranded cable, since solid and stranded conductors use different contact styles. Bulk reels are often 100 metres or more, but that’s normal for this type of cable.
If you only need a few cables, buying premade lengths may be cheaper and less frustrating than purchasing a reel, crimping tools and connectors. If making your own is important for cable management, measure the routes first and remember to leave a little extra length at each end.
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