Connectivity CAT 5e Jacks

Summary: Connectivity CAT 5e Jacks

Connectivity | CAT 5e Jacks

Windy City Wire provides a focused selection of CAT 5e jacks engineered for commercial and industrial environments where reliability, consistency, and installation speed matter. As part of our Category Cable solutions, these connectivity components help integrators, contractors, and distributors build standards-compliant links that support network optimization across today’s networking technologies. We do not sell to end users; our products and solutions are designed to meet professional jobsite demands and streamlined project workflows.

What you can expect from our CAT 5e jacks

• Standards-compliant performance: Supports CAT5e channel performance when installed with compliant cable and hardware, helping you achieve dependable links for voice, data, and building systems.
• T568A/B versatility: Clear support for both T568A and T568B wiring schemes to align with customer standards and existing infrastructure.
• Flexible deployment: Keystone format simplifies integration into patch panels, surface boxes, and wall plates commonly used on commercial projects.
• Consistent terminations: Built for repeatable terminations across high-volume jobs, supporting faster punch-down and quality control routines on site.
• Designed for low-voltage systems: Pairs seamlessly with our SmartWire low-voltage Category Cable for end-to-end system integrity.

End-to-end value with SmartWire cable + connectivity

For teams building CAT5e infrastructure, pairing these jacks with SmartWire cable delivers a cohesive solution from panel to outlet. SmartWire is the registered brand name of Windy City Wire’s low-voltage cable, manufactured in the United States and supported by our complete solutions. SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied during manufacturing to help reduce friction during cable pulls, supporting cleaner pathways and consistent results during installation. Together, SmartWire cable and our CAT 5e jacks help streamline terminations and promote long-term channel performance within Category Cable deployments.

How this supports network optimization

• Reliable interface points: A consistent RJ45 connection helps ensure stable performance across switches, patch panels, and endpoints.
• Standards alignment: Supporting T568A or T568B wiring helps maintain uniformity across enterprise spaces and multi-building campuses.
• Professional-grade compatibility: Fits common keystone panels and plates used across a wide range of networking technologies in commercial facilities.

Available construction

• CAT 5e MT-Series Unscreened Keystone Jack, T568A/B (Black): Unscreened RJ45 keystone jack for Category Cable terminations in standard panels and wall plates. Supports both T568A and T568B wiring schemes for consistent field termination.

Ordering details

• Sold in sets of 20 to support contractor workflows; order quantity of 1 equals 20 pieces.
• Pricing is provided per set to simplify project costing.
• Color available: Black.

Who we serve

• Direct partner to integrators, electrical and low-voltage contractors, and distributors.
• Products and solutions built for commercial and industrial applications.
• Windy City Wire does not sell to end users or consumers.

Customization and standardization

Many organizations standardize their installations by pairing our CAT 5e jacks with SmartWire cable. SmartWire offers a wide range of jacket and stripe color options to help teams visually organize systems and speed identification during service calls. Contact Windy City Wire to discuss customizing SmartWire cable colors for your next rollout.

Why choose Windy City Wire for Category Cable connectivity

• Professional focus: Built for the demands of commercial job sites and multi-phase projects.
• System consistency: Jacks, cable, and related components designed to work together for dependable CAT5e channels.
• Project efficiency: From rough-in through test and turn-up, our products help reduce rework and keep schedules on track.

Summary

Windy City Wire’s CAT 5e jacks deliver dependable connectivity for Category Cable installations, supporting T568A/B wiring and a straightforward keystone format that integrates easily across panels and plates. When paired with SmartWire CAT5e cable, you get a cohesive, low-voltage solution that supports network optimization and consistent results across a wide array of networking technologies. For commercial and industrial projects managed by integrators, contractors, and distributors, our connectivity offering is a practical choice for building reliable infrastructure on time and within scope.

Solutions: Connectivity CAT 5e Jacks

Connectivity CAT 5e Jacks: Reliable terminations for professional low‑voltage networks

Windy City Wire partners directly with integrators, contractors, and distributors to deliver a complete Category Cable ecosystem. Our Connectivity CAT 5e Jacks are built for professional installations where consistent performance, clean terminations, and jobsite efficiency matter. Designed to support T568A/B wiring schemes and standard keystone footprints, these unscreened jacks integrate seamlessly with patch panels, wall plates, and surface-mount housings across a wide range of low-voltage systems.

Where CAT 5e jacks fit within Category Cable systems

• Enterprise LAN and office builds: Workstations, printers, VoIP phones, conference rooms, hot desks, and MDF/IDF patching for 10/100/1000Base‑T. CAT 5e terminations help maintain link integrity and contribute to overall network optimization.
• Wireless infrastructure: Access points powered via PoE, controller uplinks, and distributed coverage throughout campuses and multi‑tenant spaces.
• Security and life safety: IP cameras, access control readers and panels, intercoms, and monitoring endpoints over Category Cable for streamlined deployment and serviceability.
• Building automation and controls: BAS controllers, HVAC interfaces, occupancy sensors, and environmental monitoring connected through standard networking technologies.
• Audio‑Visual and collaboration: IP‑based AV distribution, digital signage, room schedulers, and control processors, with dependable terminations for predictable performance.
• Industrial, logistics, and warehousing: HMIs, scanners, time clocks, and gateway devices where robust terminations are essential in IT closets and control rooms.
• Healthcare and education: WAPs, nurse‑call gateways, telemedicine carts, classroom endpoints, and security devices deployed at scale with uniform CAT 5e jack terminations.
• Hospitality and retail: POS systems, back‑office networking, guest room endpoints, and signage—consistent, repeatable terminations help speed multi‑site rollouts.

Why professionals choose Windy City Wire CAT 5e Jacks

• Standards‑based performance: Engineered for CAT 5e channels supporting Gigabit Ethernet over typical horizontal distances, with dependable electrical performance when installed to spec.
• Universal wiring flexibility: T568A/B compatibility simplifies design standards across diverse projects and crews.
• Keystone compatibility: Fits common patch panels and wall plates for streamlined rack and field deployments.
• PoE‑ready installations: Suitable for powering common endpoints like cameras, phones, and access points when used with appropriate Category Cable and power budgets.
• Consistency across scale: Uniform terminations enable repeatable results across multi‑floor or multi‑site rollouts, aiding network optimization and troubleshooting.

Design and installation considerations

1. Cable selection: Pair CAT 5e jacks with the appropriate Category Cable for your application and environment. Unscreened jacks are a strong fit for typical office and commercial spaces; assess EMI conditions to determine when a shielded system is required.
2. Termination practices: Follow T568A or T568B consistently across the job. Maintain twists to the point of termination, use the correct tools, and certify links to confirm performance.
3. PoE planning: Consider device class, power levels, bundle sizes, and pathway management to help control insertion loss and heat rise in active bundles.
4. Pathways and labeling: Organize racks and outlets with clear identification and documentation so service calls and expansions remain efficient over time.

Applications by system

• IT and networking technologies: Horizontal cabling to work areas, patching in IDFs, and equipment interconnects that demand dependable CAT 5e terminations.
• Security: IP video, access control, and visitor management endpoints leveraging PoE and standards‑based connectivity.
• AV and control: Conference room systems, streaming devices, and signage where consistent Category Cable terminations reduce onsite rework.
• Facilities and IoT: Sensors, gateways, and controllers unified over Ethernet for centralized management.

A complete solution for integrators and contractors

Windy City Wire supports your full project lifecycle—from takeoff and design guidance to fulfillment and post‑install service. When used alongside our cable and accessories, these CAT 5e jacks help crews move quickly, maintain standards, and deliver clean, testable results. Teams leveraging our broader solution set, including SmartWire, often see gains in installation speed, consistency, and documentation across large deployments.

Who we serve

• Low‑voltage integrators and electrical contractors
• Security and AV installation firms
• IT/network contractors and cabling installers
• Distribution partners supporting regional and national rollouts

Get started

Whether you are building out a single IDF or standardizing a national rollout, our Connectivity CAT 5e Jacks pair with Category Cable to create reliable links that support today’s networking technologies. Contact your Windy City Wire representative for specification support, submittals, and project assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions: Connectivity CAT 5e Jacks

• 1. How is your SmartWire low-voltage Category Cable sold—on spools or in boxes?
  

  Our SmartWire Category Cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton for easier pulls and faster installs. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

• 2. What are the main differences between CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A, and CAT7 cables?
  
  • CAT5e: Up to 1 Gb/s at 100 MHz to 100 m; widely used for everyday data and PoE in cost-effective networking technologies.
  • CAT6: 1 Gb/s to 100 m at 250 MHz; supports 10 Gb/s up to about 55 m in ideal conditions; better crosstalk control than CAT5e.
  • CAT6A: 10 Gb/s to 100 m at 500 MHz; improved alien crosstalk suppression for high-density, high-bandwidth applications and long-term network optimization.
  • CAT7: 10 Gb/s to 100 m at 600 MHz; typically shielded and uses non‑RJ45 interfaces (e.g., GG45/TERA); more specialized and less common in typical enterprise RJ45-based deployments.

  Selection depends on performance needs, run lengths, and the environment. For many installations, cat5e or CAT6 meets current requirements, while CAT6A is preferred for future-proofing 10G.

• 3. What are some popular Category Cable colors and what do they stand for?
  

  Color codes vary by organization, but common practices include:

  • Blue: General data drops/user workstations
  • Gray/White: Standard/office or neutral runs
  • Red: Critical systems, security, or VLAN/priority links
  • Yellow: PoE devices (phones, cameras, APs)
  • Green: Management networks or voice
  • Orange: Demarc/ISP handoff or special circuits
  • Purple: A/V or specialty systems
  • Black: Security, access control, or stage/production

  Always follow your organization’s documented standards to keep Category Cable color usage consistent and easy to manage.

Additional Links:

• Learn more about our SmartWire Cable
• The RackPack - Our patented cable delivery solution
• Our Transporters - RackPack Transportation Devices
• 19 Stocking Locations Nationwide - Find a Branch near you