Hello! We have not tested the Ubiquiti patch cords specifically. Disclaimer: If we had, we would not disclose a specific test result regardless. We are not a product review site, but I do understand your desire to validate your purchase. That all said, we are going to be seen as irreparably biased as we sell our own patch cords. Rather than deal with the attendant issues of that, we are keeping our findings generic.

Hello and you are welcome! At first, I was doing the same thing before I developed out the instructions and video. Don't feel bad at all!

Hello and yes! A puck for holding the keystone jack not only helps with threading the conductors, but providing a stable surface to punch down the jack. Oh, and the puck will save your hand/wall from a nasty wound if you should slip with that sharp impact tool. One caveat: Nearly every puck is brand and model specific since the rear portion of keystone jacks are not 100% standard from one brand/model to another. Just be aware and we hope this helps!

@@trueCABLE Thank you for the detailed response!

Hello and thanks for the kind feedback! We go to great lengths to explain not only the HOW, but the WHY too. :)

Hello! What you are describing is the typical "sleeve" compression F connector where the metal sleeve has to slip between the top braid shield and under the outer cable jacket. Those things are an EPIC pain to work with, especially if the cable jacket is slightly adhered to that top braid shield (it happens sometimes in manufacturing or if the cable was exposed to heat). Another pain point with those sleeve connectors is the fact they tend to fit some coaxial brands/models better than others. There are tolerances. Combine those two factors together and you could be in for a really rough time pushing the connector on. IF you can push it on at all, that is. Or, maybe you will suffer a hand puncture during the process of trying to force it on (I have). The nice thing about trueCABLE's F connector is it does not care about fitment nearly as much because the mechanism self adjusts and does not rely on a metal sleeve to fit between the jacket and top braid shield, which makes terminating quad shield coax super easy.

Hey Jim! You are welcome. For PoE applications (cam, AP, etc.) where the same cable is expected to deliver data AND power to the end device, fiber optical cable is less useful since it cannot carry electricity. There are ways/means to work around this, but in the end it might be more trouble than you want to deal with. Fiber is most useful for high speed/ long distance, or high speed AND long distance communications runs that don't care about ambient temperatures or the EMI/RFI environment. We hope this helps!

Thank you for the kind comment. We really enjoy creating these informational videos for our customers. I hope it was useful and helpful for your application. Let us know if you have suggestions for additional future videos.

Many churches contain vaulted ceilings and large open spaces which can limit the number and size of spaces for installing cable. Often, this leads to data cables being installed in close proximity to AC power cables and unshielded audio cables. Churches typically make use of sound and communications equipment such as unshielded speakers which are also a source of electromagnetic interference (EMI). For these reasons, some architects routinely specify shielded cable for churches to avoid interference issues, which are often difficult to locate and expensive to fix. However, if EMI can be avoided or eliminated, there is no reason to avoid the use of unshielded cable.

Thank you for the feedback! The video you are requesting actually already exists! Check them out below PC vs UPC vs APC Fiber Connectors | Key Differences To Know! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3zXiXh9gMiciLcsi=fFGGOiVgfAgGpZJ3 Most Common Fiber Optic Connectors - Full Breakdown with Examples - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3Stfmp_h8emj7csi=96dAdfqrrqz2JNJd Both of these videos are short companion pieces to accompany brief blog entries in our Cable Academy. If you'd like to see the blogs, they're at: Fiber Patch Connectors, LC and SC and ST and More - www.truecable.com/blogs/cable-academy/fiber-patch-connectors-lc-and-sc-and-st-breakdown PC vs UPC vs APC Fiber Connectors - What is the Difference? - www.truecable.com/blogs/cable-academy/pc-vs-upc-vs-apc-fiber-connectors-what-is-the-difference

That's a great question! We at trueCABLE currently don't offer any Cat8 products because we simply have no demand for them. If you need a Cat8 cable, or any patch cable for that matter, you are right to be concerned about quality. We can't make recommendations for products we haven't tested ourselves, but we might be able to help get you started. Try searching for "certified Cat8" and analyze the responses. Focus on providers that have strong industry reputations. They will usually have names that you will recognize. Then look for products that are marked "ETL-listed," "cETLus-listed," or "UL-listed." Also look for the RoHS certification to ensure user safety. Good luck!

Hello and thank you for the question. I agree fiber is much smaller and easier to install. One of the drawbacks to fiber is the active connecting hardware such as switches and routers in the residential applications. Typically if fiber is used in a residential application you may have a fiber switch at the head end (structured wiring location) and then out to the wall plates you would use a media converter to convert from fiber back to copper in order to connect it to your computer or whatever hardware you have requiring that connection. Very little hardware has a direct fiber connection so that is why a media converter is needed to get it from fiber back to copper.

Hello! Generally, you want to use unshielded. Even for AV installs, since the data is packetized and the signal is not analog. Now, that said, if you have strong sources of EMI/RFI in the environment that call for the use of shielded cable then so be it, but don't install shielded Ethernet cable thinking it will "go faster" or be "better". It won't, and it won't be. Shielded cable is designed to solve a problem you know you have. You are also correct, unshielded is significantly easier to install and deal with, plus there is no need to bond it to ground.

Hello! Sorry to hear of your trouble. It sounds like you may wish to contact us at www.truecable.com/pages/contact-us. We will want some details about all the hardware you are using and get some pictures as well to diagnose this. For the moment, I would say STOP and contact us as it is difficult to figure out what may be wrong from your description.

@@trueCABLE I got it finally. I had to cut more wire off. Then it stayed while I used the tool.

Hello! That is funny! 😆 Luck is definitely on your side. Using more than a coupler or two per channel is a great way of having issues--especially at higher speeds. In your situation, I understand why your lead engineer is doing things this way. Here is a tip: You can increase your chances of initial success AND long-term reliability by using component-rated couplers and component-rated patch cords for as much of the connection as possible. Component-rated products are factory-certified to the TIA performance standard of whatever Category they are stamped with. Be aware stranded copper patch cords will induce additional length restrictions above and beyond the typical "328-foot rule", so keep an eye on lengths if going this path.

Hello! Thanks for the feedback. I agree, the presentation is very thorough and paced slowly. This was purely intentional. The idea is to educate people who have no familiarity with this type of termination the "how" and even more importantly the "why" of doing something. For speed, I personally would opt for our punch down keystone jack and utilize our EZ rapid termination tool.

Hello! If the conduit is metallic and bonded to ground, and the AC circuit is isolated INSIDE the metallic conduit, then you will have no issues with your Cat6 U/UTP Ethernet run. Proceed!

Hello! You should not have any issues. Your A/V equipment should provide the bond to ground via their power cords. The PC in particular has a switching AC power supply that will provide the bond to ground as well. Hope this helps!

Hello! I fully understand and am sorry we couldn't provide you with the products you were looking for. Maybe one day trueCABLE will supply internationally. I suspect at some point we will.

@@trueCABLE Canada is not such an "international" destination; we are neighbors, practically cousins! 😅Here in Montréal, we are 45 min away from the border, but I don't know anyone there to have it delivered to a US address. I am sure adding Canada in your delivery coverage would not be such a huge thing / high cost, compared to worldwide. Anyhow keep good work I Iearned a lot lately from your nice videos. Cheers! 👍

@@patricehenri8172 Thank you! Happy to provide knowledge to our fellow networkers!

Hello! The load bar connectors are not unusual, and quite good for any variation of Ethernet as long as the plug fits the cable correctly. It is especially beneficial if the load bar will hold the conductors in the correct sequence (while staggering them too for 500MHz / 10G operation and better crosstalk performance) while you place the whole assembly into the plug. This greatly reduces frustration with conductors getting out of order. Well designed pass-through plugs can serve the same purpose but pass-through plugs are also a bit more prone to sensitive to fitment caused by conductor insulation diameter manufacturing tolerances. The old style push-in (no load bar) that simply places the conductors straight across in a line are meant for 250MHz or less speeds (think Cat6 and Cat5e). Matching the correct plug to your solid copper cable is both science AND art, and is one of the reasons we suggest using IDC style terminations (keystones, patch panels) instead of 8P8C plugs unless you have no other alternative.

Hello and thanks for the feedback! Sounds like you are binge watching our videos! I suggest taking a look at our Cable Academy on our website, too. The Cable Academy is where these videos are from, and are often complimentary to an extensive written blog with detailed photos. Be cautioned that the video may not provide exhaustive information; our videos are meant to be watched in conjunction with reading the blog behind them too!

You are welcome! We would also encourage you to read the blog behind these videos, found at our Cable Academy on our website at www.truecable.com/blogs/cable-academy/. The reason is the videos are often in ADDITION TO the blog.

Hello and great question! For outdoor Ethernet cables that are suspended in the air, or happen to run more 150ft underground, it is strongly recommended to insert an Ethernet surge protector between the cable coming in and the bonded patch panel. For short underground runs and Ethernet running outdoors that is attached to the same structure, a surge protector won't be of much utility. If you do use a Ethernet surge protector, just be sure to pick a high quality surge protector that won't interfere with your Ethernet signaling and be aware the surge protector also requires bonding to ground to function at all.

Thank you!

Hello and you're welcome!

Green connectors (APC) signify angled physical contact connections, which can be better for extremely long distance and high speed applications, and are associated with single mode fiber. Blue connectors (UPC) are ultra physical contact connections, which are typically more than sufficient for the shorter distances associated with multimode fiber applications. Technically, APC (green) is superior, but you won't find it on anything but single mode fiber.

iperf3 -t 120 -c 192.168.x.x --bidir -i 60

Hello and thanks for sharing your observations! Yes, the terminations are going to make or break a patch cable. This is why each and every patch cord worth the Category printed on it has been Certified to the standard post-production and prior to being shipped.

Thanks for sharing your feedback. We will focus on that!

Thanks for your feedback!

Hello! There isn’t a specific twist rate defined for any particular Category of cable. The TIA specifications dictate parameters like the number of conductors, acceptable conductor colors, maximum cable and conductor insulation thickness, and the use of copper as the transmission medium. However, they do not specify details such as twist rate, whether shielding is required, or how pairs are balanced to minimize NEXT (Near-End Crosstalk), such as using a spline or individually shielded pairs. What truly defines a cable’s Category is its performance metrics, as outlined in the standards. Manufacturers design cables to meet or exceed these metrics under real-world conditions, factoring in proper termination and installation. If you’re experiencing NEXT failures, particularly when terminating with 8P8C connectors (commonly referred to as RJ45), the issue is often due to poor plug-to-cable fitment rather than the cable itself-unless there’s a defect. Proper tools, connectors, and technique are key to achieving a reliable termination!

Hello! There should be a ESD drain wire present or wire braid shield doing double duty as a ESD drain and additional shield over those individually shielded pairs. So, you would trim the individual foil shields off the pairs and twist/fold back the drain wire or braid shield and bond that to the hardware. Whether the pairs are individually shielded as opposed to an overall foil shield (or both) is going to be dictated by the EMI/RFI/ESD environment the cable is meant for OR the manufacturer had to individually foil shield the pairs in order to pass Category testing. The performance and durability edge would go to individually shielded pairs with a wire braid shield on top, but that comes with severe drawbacks like cable thickness, weight, installation complexity, costs, etc. How one defines "better" is going to be up to the eye of the beholder!

Hello and thanks for adding your take on it too! You are correct in that crimp-on (and especially twist-on) F connectors have fallen out of favor due to issues with durability and reliability. All modern F connectors are compression, and that is what the standard recommends.

Hello! Sorry, we do not. We sell to North America only, whether via Amazon or direct sales on our website.

Hello! Thanks for the feedback, we are working on new content currently that will bring much better audio!

Hello! Thanks for letting us know, we are working on new content right now with audio quality that will knock your socks off!

Hello! Thanks for the feedback, we are working on more content with better production/audio quality for the future!

Hello! We mention all the compatible 8P8C (aka RJ45) connector plug types for sake of not just marketing but also due to the fact we get compatibility questions quite a bit--stagger style plugs being one of those questions. Essentially our All-In-One RJ45 Crimp & Termination tool will work with any 8P8C plug except for the older style AMP pattern and the Platinum Tools EXO-EX proprietary connectors. Indeed, most modern termination/crimp tools will technically work with stagger and straight-across style plugs, but the flush cut mechanism on some tools may not fully flush cut the conductors off on stagger plugs due to insufficient blade travel. We designed our tool in such a way that the flush cut blade will over travel a bit and actually undercut in the lip of the 8P8C plug by about 0.5mm, thus ensuring a full flush cut every time. This does not affect the durability or performance of the resultant terminated plug. When selecting the correct 8P8C (aka RJ45) plug for your cable, the insulated conductor diameter (copper + insulation) plus the overall cable diameter are the two determining factors. Be sure that your cable's stated specifications fall within the range of the trueCABLE Cat6A XL pass through plug, as that plug is designed for thicker insulated conductors and won't work well with thinner ones. If you need guidance for proper plug selection, please contact us on our Contact Form found at www.truecable.com. Thanks!

Hello! That is a great question. Best is directly to the AC outlet as you subtract the UPS/PDU mounted on the rack from the equation. You don't know if the UPS/PDU will be able to provide the super low 0.1 Ohm (100 milliohm) resistance maximum that is required to meet the standard. Best to not chance it. That all said, sometimes you have no choice and must rely on the UPS/PDU for an intermediate connection point. In that case, I would be sure the UPS/PDU is bonded to ground with a auxiliary bond wire if so supplied, which would be in addition to the UPS/PDU power cord you are also relying on for a bond to ground.

@@trueCABLE Okay, thanks for the quick reply. I'm installing a network cabinet with your shielded patch panels and shielded keystones with Cat6A shielded cable and this is the first time using the bonded plug. I'm going to try and get the electrician to install a second outlet. Currently there is only a single-gang outlet (dedicated) for the cabinet.

@@michaelsasso13 Hello and no problem! You are doing a wise thing by installing the second outlet in this scenario. Good luck with your installation.

Hello! It would probably have been a good idea, but did not have one handy at the time! We can make sure to have it on hand if we reshoot this video. Thanks!

Hello! Correct, it is because it is DC. Also, it is very low voltage DC--up to 52V. No interference. Cool how you can do both over the same conductors, isn't it?

Hello! No, there is no end cap we supply for that situation. Not a bad idea, though. I can see how you would want to pre-install into a bulkhead situation with a cap covering the unused one for future use. Good idea, and I will pass that along.

Hello and nice to meet you. I am glad you are happy with the service and educational materials we provide. So, here is the absolute truth: 8P8Cs (aka RJ45s) terminated onto both ends of ANY solid copper Category cable is not the way to achieve consistent results. The reason has to do with the inherent reliability and stability of the 8P8C termination itself. There are a lot of "moving parts" (in a figurative sense) to getting good Insertion Loss, Return Loss, and Impedance matching and 8P8Cs are seemingly designed to help sabotage your best efforts. Essentially, you are dealing with manufacturing variability on insulated conductor diameters, 8P8C plugs that have a fitment range that you can be accidentally be out of and not even know it, and the very nature of the fragile golden contact pins straddling (not penetrating) the actual copper conductors. The 8 golden contact pins have 3 teeth, and when terminated onto solid copper they displace the conductor insulation from the sides, straddling the copper. This sets you up to be at the mercy of things you cannot control. At trueCABLE we have gone to great lengths to the mid-point conductor insulation diameter manufacturing target together with a plug that can tolerate our expected +/- tolerances during cable manufacturing. BUT, not everything goes perfectly all the time. The solution has been out there since day one....IDC terminations like 110 punch down. Those types of terminations use two "knives" to slice through both sides of the conductor insulation and actually penetrate the copper from right angles, which results in a far more stable termination. IDC terminations are also Category rated and use printed circuit boards inside them, which greatly improves impedance matching. The physical part of the termination and durability of IDC terminations address the Insertion Loss and Return Loss part of the equation by being physically much more stable than hand terminated 8P8Cs. Most importantly: IDC terminations compensate...by design...for a wide range of manufacturing variability. My thought on this is to use pre-terminated patch cords if you ever need a male plug, but such a thing may not be possible due to lengths and other considerations since pre-made certified patch cords like we sell are stranded copper, not solid. Enter two more potential strategies: Keystone > Keystone with factory pre-made patch cords at both ends OR termination of the solid copper run with a field termination plugs at both ends. Field termination plugs offer the IDC punch benefits that keystone jacks do, but end up being a RJ45 male plug. The only downside to field termination plugs, aside from costs, is their physical size to accommodate the 110 punch style termination and PCB. The downside to using the keystone > keystone with two factory made certified patch cords at both ends is the challenge of where to mount the keystone at one or both sides. No good answers for ALL situations, unfortunately. I hope this LONG dissertation helps!

In other hand can we use this cable without drain wire in same circuit? How we join and terminate body of shield to in or other cable with out drain wire.

Hello! Yes, a shielded telecom cable in this condition (missing the drain wire) is still usable. You will need to fold back the cable shield and bond it to your termination hardware in order to terminate the shield, which will work. This sometimes occurs during manufacturing when the spool of drain wire runs out mid-process, resulting in no drain wire or a cable with only part of the drain wire inside. Quality control should have caught that in the factory, but it depends on the manufacturer and how carefully they monitor the quality of their cable production.

Hello! I fully understand the confusion. Field termination plugs terminate like a tool-less keystone jack and are very high performing, but have a side on them that is compatible with RJ45 device ports at the same time. Essentially, a field termination plug is a male ended keystone style IDC termination. The quality of the termination is extremely high due to the nature of how the IDC knives pierce the conductor insulation and conductor wires from right angles as opposed to longitudinal penetration of the insulation only by the fragile teeth found in 8P8C (aka RJ45) connector plugs. The fragile three-toothed golden contact pins will displace the insulation from the SIDE of the actual copper conductor wire (straddling it), and this creates a lot of potential for performance loss and reliability issues--especially at speeds above 1G. Just the nature of the beast, I am afraid. This issue is further amplified when putting 8P8Cs onto solid copper Ethernet as the 8P8C pins do not actually penetrate the copper at all like IDC terminations do, putting a lot of reliance of manufacturing consistency (and with manufacturing tolerances around a mid point manufacturing target you can see the problem there) and worse yet the installer being super careful and consistent. So, why would you not see them everywhere and read about them in every newspaper? It has to do with physical size and pricing. They cost quite a bit more than simple plastic 8P8C connector plugs as filed termination plugs are Category rated and use a PCB inside. You cannot use them for many tasks that have a device housing preventing a larger connector type like this. Switch to switch connections and the back port of a PC are likely not an issue, but just about anything else might be. That said, these field termination plugs are ideal for creating highly reliable backbone switch to switch or router to switch style links using solid copper Ethernet. As you get past 50 feet, patch cords may not work well or at all due to the typically thinner stranded copper conductors they use. 50 feet is the limit for 28AWG stranded copper patch cords, and 279 feet is the limit for 24AWG stranded copper patch cords. 26AWG will get you in the 220 foot range. Thus, if you need a male ended patch cord of high reliability that is extra long (and must use solid copper) then field termination plugs are the way to go. You just have to pick your battles, like with any install. Hope this helps!

@trueCABLE thanks so much, that really clarified this for me!!

@@a11aaa11a Hello and you are welcome!

Good advice! Indeed, some termination tools over-travel a bit and will allow you to physically damage the connection hardware. Be careful not to brutalize your cable and equipment though!

You are welcome! Please subscribe to our channel if you have not done so yet. We have quite a bit of upcoming videos we just shot we think you may enjoy!