Patch Panels - any physical difference between various cat standards?

BlizzardX · 14 Sep 2015 at 12:18

Hi,

I'm looking at adding some more cables to the house network and as I use a structured cabling approach I use a patch panel. I've found a used, cheap 24 port panel which states it is Cat 4. I was wondering if there was any difference between a Cat 4 patch panel and Cat 6? I've got no problem going for the specified Cat 6 if required, but would be good to know how far a cat 4 panel may go?

Thanks,

Chris

ubersonic · 14 Sep 2015 at 12:47

Cat 4 cable only has four wires, it's commonly used for telephone cabling, I would have expected the patch panel to use RJ11 sockets not RJ45 if it was for Cat 4? :S

Felix · 14 Sep 2015 at 16:47

Patch panels are hardly expensive, why not buy a new one?

BlizzardX · 14 Sep 2015 at 20:55

ubersonic said:
Cat 4 cable only has four wires, it's commonly used for telephone cabling, I would have expected the patch panel to use RJ11 sockets not RJ45 if it was for Cat 4? :S

Yeah, but it says RJ45 on the auction, will stay clear as its probably not worth it.

Felix said:
Patch panels are hardly expensive, why not buy a new one?

Living in New Zealand, all IT equipment is expensive and a simple patch panel can cost over $100NZD so I was seeing if I could pick up an ex enterprise one for a wee bit cheaper.