Cable Academy

Check out our in-depth blogs, white papers, and instructional videos about everything going on in the low voltage industry. Have questions? Our networking experts have answers!

Featured Blog

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Beginner

T568a vs T568b, Which to Use

Data cabling, it can be confusing sometimes. If you are just getting started on your network, or if you need to rewire some things, trying to determine what standard you should use or what type of cable to purchase can be a daunting. Standard TIA\EIA-568 sets the standard for how to match twisted pair wires to a plug or socket.
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Selecting the Right Ethernet Cable for You

The Difference Between Cat6 vs Cat6A Ethernet Cable

June 9, 2023

Shielded vs. Unshielded Cable

September 8, 2022

Selecting the Correct Outdoor Ethernet Cable

February 17, 2022

Beginner's Guide to Network Cables

June 19, 2025

Ethernet Cable Finder

So many cables, so little time! Answer a couple of questions and let trueBOT guide you to the perfect Ethernet cable.

Your Solution is Here
Top Ethernet Cable Videos
We Tested The Top Rated Patch Cables in 2024!
We Tested The Top Rated Patch Cables in 2024!
14 minute watch time
2024-07-11
Cat7 vs Cat8 vs Fiber Optic | Here’s What You Need to Know in 2025!
Cat7 vs Cat8 vs Fiber Optic | Here’s What You Need to Know in 2025!
6 minute watch time
2024-09-20
A Breakdown of All Ethernet Cable Jacket Types
A Breakdown of All Ethernet Cable Jacket Types
12 minute watch time
2023-01-19
Cat5e vs Cat6: Overview and Comparison
Cat5e vs Cat6: Overview and Comparison
6 minute watch time
2022-05-19

All About Connectors

Choosing the Right Termination - Keystone Jack vs RJ45 Connector vs Field Termination Plug

January 13, 2025

Terminating Pass-Through RJ45 Connectors onto Solid Copper Ethernet Cable -- A Really Bad Idea?

May 26, 2022

Toolless Keystone Jacks vs Punch Down Keystone Jacks: What's the Difference?

February 11, 2021

Load Bar Staggered RJ45 Connectors: Do They Increase Ethernet Cable Performance?

June 21, 2021

Connector Finder

So many connectors, so little time! Answer a couple of questions and let trueBOT guide you to the perfect connecting hardware to pair with your low voltage cabling.

Connect With Confidence
Top Connector Videos
Which One is Best For You: Monolithic vs Keystone Jack vs Staggered Patch Panels
Which One is Best For You: Monolithic vs Keystone Jack vs Staggered Patch Panels
5 minute watch time
2023-05-31
RJ45 or Keystone? The Connector Secrets Every Network Installer Should Know
RJ45 or Keystone? The Connector Secrets Every Network Installer Should Know
9 minute watch time
2025-09-29
Cat6A Shielded Direct Burial Ethernet Cable: Overview and Fluke Test
Cat6A Shielded Direct Burial Ethernet Cable: Overview and Fluke Test
5 minute watch time
2022-07-14
Selecting the Correct RJ45 Connector
Selecting the Correct RJ45 Connector
13 minute watch time
2021-06-28

Termination:  Step by Step

How to: Terminate an Unshielded Punch Down Keystone Jack

January 11, 2021

How to: Terminate an Unshielded Toolless Keystone Jack

November 24, 2022

T568a vs T568b, Which to Use

April 16, 2026

How To: Terminate an Unshielded Pass Through RJ45 Connector

July 30, 2021

How To: Terminate a Shielded Cat6/6A External Ground Pass Through RJ45 Connector

November 16, 2023

How To: Terminating a Cat6-6A Standard Load Bar Unshielded RJ45 Connector

July 7, 2022
Top Termination Videos
How To: Bond Shielded Ethernet Cable with Copper Fabric Strips
How To: Bond Shielded Ethernet Cable with Copper Fabric Strips
9 minute watch time
2021-05-07
Why Is My Internet Speed Slow? It May Be Your Ethernet Cable!
Why Is My Internet Speed Slow? It May Be Your Ethernet Cable!
6 minute watch time
2020-10-09
How To: Reuse Keystone Jacks and Field Termination Plugs for Ethernet Cable Terminations
How To: Reuse Keystone Jacks and Field Termination Plugs for Ethernet Cable Terminations
5 minute watch time
2022-08-17
RG6 Quad Shield Coax Riser: Overview and Termination
RG6 Quad Shield Coax Riser: Overview and Termination
8 minute watch time
2021-09-29

Ethernet Installation Made Easy

Top 5 Things to Consider When Running Ethernet Cable

January 5, 2023

How To: Install Fiber Optic Cable for Success

September 19, 2024

How To: Install Copper Ethernet and Coaxial Cable for Success

September 5, 2024

Calculating Ethernet Cable Overall Channel Length for Success

June 22, 2023

Temperature's Effect on Ethernet Cable Length

December 30, 2021

Obey the Bend: Calculating Wire Bend Radius

December 15, 2023
Top Ethernet Installation Videos
The Quick and Easy Way to Install a Wall Plate
The Quick and Easy Way to Install a Wall Plate
9 minute watch time
2022-06-09
A Beginner's Guide to Conduit Measurement & Cutting
A Beginner's Guide to Conduit Measurement & Cutting
4 minute watch time
2023-04-19
How to Run Ethernet Cable Through Walls
How to Run Ethernet Cable Through Walls
5 minute watch
2022-10-05
How To Wire a Server Rack Tips & Best Practices
How To Wire a Server Rack Tips & Best Practices
7 minute watch time
2024-10-24

Blogs by Skill Level

The Internet of Things: PoE Lighting

The Internet of Things: PoE Lighting

The Internet isn’t just for people anymore.  Nowadays there are actually more devices operating autonomously on the Internet than there...
The Power of PoE

The Power of PoE

PoE is an acronym for “Power Over Ethernet”. PoE technology allows two services to be combined utilizing a single network...
What Does a Bad Termination Look Like?

What Does a Bad Termination Look Like?

What makes an Ethernet cable termination bad?  Excessive untwist of the twisted pair conductors? Crossed wires? Nicked conductors? Bad electrical contact? Some...
Ethernet Cable ID for Beginners

Ethernet Cable ID for Beginners

Here you are, trying to plug an Ethernet cable into your favorite device. One small problem: you have no idea...
Ethernet MHz Speed: Does It Make a Difference?

Ethernet MHz Speed: Does It Make a Difference?

Confused by Ethernet “MHz speed” on cable specs? Learn how megahertz (frequency), cable Category (Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6A), and application bandwidth (1G/2.5G/5G/10G) actually...

Blogs by Product Category

Ethernet MHz Speed: Does It Make a Difference?

Ethernet MHz Speed: Does It Make a Difference?

Confused by Ethernet “MHz speed” on cable specs? Learn how megahertz (frequency), cable Category (Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6A), and application bandwidth (1G/2.5G/5G/10G) actually...
The Internet of Things: PoE Lighting

The Internet of Things: PoE Lighting

The Internet isn’t just for people anymore.  Nowadays there are actually more devices operating autonomously on the Internet than there...
The Power of PoE

The Power of PoE

PoE is an acronym for “Power Over Ethernet”. PoE technology allows two services to be combined utilizing a single network...
What Does a Bad Termination Look Like?

What Does a Bad Termination Look Like?

What makes an Ethernet cable termination bad?  Excessive untwist of the twisted pair conductors? Crossed wires? Nicked conductors? Bad electrical contact? Some...
Ethernet Cable ID for Beginners

Ethernet Cable ID for Beginners

Here you are, trying to plug an Ethernet cable into your favorite device. One small problem: you have no idea...

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