Patch Cords

[fs483]

Hello,

I've used patch cords from a couple of companies but recently I came across a patch cord made by Hosiwell. Their cables are EXTREMELY flexible and the plug is very short with molded connector and boot. I've heard of people not liking the boot type patch cord because of the tight fit on switches but the boots on these are as wide as the connector and no more. I'm going to try to find a supplier in the area because it will be pretty expensive to order them from China. The only disadvantages I can see with this cord is that the jacket is very thin and can be easily damaged or nicked and the the plastic that covers the clip is VERY hard to press down to disengage from the jack. Now I've used other ones from Belkin, Nordx and a few other companies. What kind (brand name) patch cords do you guys use and why do you use those (color, price, availability, reliability) ?

Thanks
anthony

 

[DToolsDesigner]

Well, frankly I buy American made patch cords from my local supplier.
They are manufactured in AZ by a company called Gruber Industries.

http://www.gruber.com/

I have been using them for about 4 years now and wouldn't use anything else. Price is right as is the quality. They are made using Quabbin Cable.

I don't recall ever having a bad one from these guys as they test all cables before shipping.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[daronwilson]

95% of my patch cables come from Gruber as well. Depending on the job, if they want cheap I buy the "made_in_a_foreign_country_by_children_with_small_hands" type (I believe they call these "offshore&quot, or I have them made to whatever length and color I need by them Arizona folks.

I pay the extra couple cents to have them wrap a nice laser printed label on each end with my company logo and phone number. I give the cheap patch cables away, I figure $1.50 each or so I can hand them out like promotional pens, they have our info on each end.

As for color, I match the horizontal wiring in the telecom room, makes a nice finished product. I usually select a different color for the workstation cables since those are often longer and they don't end up being used in the wrong place.

Now...many job specs require the cables be manufactured by the same manufacture as the connecting hardware, so I have to buy them from Panduit/Leviton/whatever.

Hope that helps, good luck.

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[JBeav]

To avoid impedance mismatches, I use patchcords made from the same manufacturer and type as the horizontal cable. Made and tested in the USA - beware of counterfeit patch cords.

Jeff

 

[daronwilson]

I'm not particularly convinced that ordering cords from the same manufacturer as the horizontal cable would decrease impedance mismatches. When Cat6 was emerging, each manufacturer did their own thing, and to make it really work (pre-standard adoption) you just about HAD to stick with the same manufacturer. However, to meet the finished standard there was a fair amount of interoperability that took place between manufacturers.

Many cable manufacturers do not make patch panels and jacks, so you may not be getting all your components from one supplier if you match your horizontal cable.

Another thing to consider is the silly warranty that some folks want (like I really expect to be using my Cat6 solution in 15 years). That warranty will definately dictate what you use for components in the entire system.

Yes....beware of counterfeit anything. However, I really hope you aren't trying to say anything not made in the USA would be counterfeit.

Good Luck

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[DToolsDesigner]

It wasn't that all the components were necessarily manufactured by one company, but that the company offering the warranty had actually performed testing of all the components to ensure interoperability and reliability.
At Leviton we brought in products from manufacturers and did compliance tests before we would guarantee performance.
Those tests were performed with several different test machines and if they passed all of the tests, we issued the warranty documents.


Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[JBeav]

I don't use matched cables for any warranties...the system will be obsolete long before the warranty expires. If the potential exist for impedance mismatches and the patchcords of like name and type are competivily priced, it's an easy decision for me.

The USA is by no means exempt from counterfeiting. Though it may be easier to police this activity here. Counterfeit cords (and connectivity) may be cheaper not only due to reduced labor but also that they may not have been put through compliance testing. If field made patchcords present pitfalls, surely factory made, non-compliant cords will too.

Counterfieting (of anything) may only represent a small percentage...it is something to be aware of. It has not been something I looked out for. Only recently have I seen articles on this subject.

Jeff

 

[jpm121]

Hey guys, sorry for necro-posting on an old thread, but I wanted to thank Daron and DTools for an awesome referral.

We just ordered a bunch of patch cables from Gruber, and what a great experience. Super-fast turnaround, highly competitive pricing, and great quality. I told them I heard about them here.

Gruber goes in my rolodex for next time and from now on.

 

[mikeydidit]

I know we dont get into sales here, but I would like to call and get some prices from them. Can someone post their number for me? Thanks.


Mikey

 

[franklin97355]

1-800-658-5883

http://www.gruber.com