Patch Cable vs Ethernet Cable — What’s the Difference?

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If you’ve browsed networking products or forums, you’ve probably seen both patch cable and Ethernet cable mentioned and wondered what the real difference is. The short answer: a patch cable is a type of Ethernet cable, but not all Ethernet cables are patch cables. Here’s a clear breakdown.

🧰 What Is an Ethernet Cable?

“Ethernet cable” is a general term for cables that carry Ethernet network signals.
They can be:

Cat5e
Cat6
Cat6A
Cat7
Fiber-optic, etc.

Ethernet cables are used for:

long network runs in walls
office/building wiring
structured cabling systems
connecting rooms, floors, or buildings

What Is a Patch Cable?

A patch cable is a short, pre-terminated Ethernet cable (usually with RJ45 connectors) that is designed to be flexible and easy to plug in/out.

Common uses:

PC router
router modem
switch patch panel
server rack connections

Patch cables often use stranded wire, making them more flexible and better for small distances and frequent movement.

Key Differences: Patch Cable vs Ethernet Cable

Feature / Property	Ethernet Cable	Patch Cable
Scope	Broad term for all Ethernet cabling	A specific short, flexible Ethernet cable
Typical Length	Up to 100m or more	Usually short (0.5–10m)
Construction	Often solid-core for long runs	Stranded-core for flexibility
Flexibility	Less flexible	Very flexible
Best Use	Permanent or long-distance wiring	Short, device-to-device connections
Bending	Not ideal	Designed to flex

So… Which Should You Use?

Use Ethernet cable (solid-core) when:

installing network runs through walls
wiring an office or building
connecting long distances

Use patch cable when:

devices are near each other
connecting equipment inside a room or rack
you need frequent plug/unplug

🧐 Common Misunderstandings

Patch cables are not “weaker.” If they are the same category (like Cat6), they support the same bandwidth—just over short distances.
They’re not different standards. Patch cables are part of the Ethernet family; they’re optimized for short-distance use.

Simple Way to Remember

Ethernet cable = the general category
Patch cable = short, flexible Ethernet cable for close connections

Think of patch cables as the “short jumpers” in your network, and Ethernet cabling as the long structured wiring in the walls.

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