Introduction to the Blue Cat5e Patch Lead (ITM001078)
The Blue Cat5e Patch Lead, 3 m (SKU: ITM001078) is a practical, no-frills network cable designed for everyday LAN patching. With moulded RJ45 (8P8C) male connectors on both ends, gold-plated contacts, a PVC jacket and a visible blue colour, this 3-metre patch lead is aimed at office, datacentre and home-network applications where reliable connectivity, simple installation and colour-coded cable management matter. Priced competitively (suggested retail £/€/$4.99), it delivers the core features most installers and end users need for standard Ethernet and voice/data patching tasks.
Key features at a glance
- Length:3 m — long enough for most rack-to-desk and switch-to-patch-panel runs without excess slack.
- Connectors:RJ45 male to RJ45 male (8P8C), moulded boots for strain relief.
- Contact plating:Gold-plated contacts to reduce corrosion and improve contact reliability.
- Cable family:Cat5 / Cat5e family — supports common Ethernet speeds and PoE.
- Wiring:T568B wiring colour code — compatible with standard network terminations.
- Jacket:PVC outer jacket — durable for typical indoor use.
- Colour:Blue — useful for visual identification and structured cabling schemes.
Detailed specifications and benefits
This patch lead is built to the expectations of everyday networking tasks. Below are the specific attributes and the practical benefits each delivers.
The moulded RJ45 connectors incorporate gold-plated contacts. Gold plating offers two main advantages: it resists oxidation better than base metals and it provides a consistently low, reliable contact resistance over time. That means fewer intermittent faults and better long-term performance where patch leads are plugged and unplugged often.
Classed in the Cat5 / Cat5e family, the cable supports typical bandwidths of around 350 MHz (manufacturer indicates ≈350 MHz). In practical terms this is sufficient for 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet) and common Power over Ethernet (PoE) deployments. For the vast majority of office and residential networks running gigabit or lower speeds, Cat5e patch leads remain a cost-effective choice.
Patch leads typically use stranded conductors (as with this product) for flexibility. Stranded pairs are more suitable for frequent handling and short interconnect runs found at desks and in racks, compared with solid-core cable designed for permanent horizontal runs. The PVC outer jacket is robust for indoor environments and everyday cable management; however, it is not a substitute for plenum-rated or low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) jackets where building codes or safety considerations require them.
This cable uses the T568B wiring colour code, the most common standard for Ethernet patching. That guarantees plug-and-play compatibility with switches, routers, patch panels and wall plates wired to the same standard.
The blue jacket is more than an aesthetic choice — colour-coding is an effective organisational tool in structured cabling. Using blue cables for a particular function (for instance, workstation links or management VLANs) speeds troubleshooting and prevents accidental disconnection in dense installations.
Some technical details are not included in the supplied record (exact AWG of conductors and certifications such as UL/ETL or flame-rating classes). If you require full certified ratings, strand gauge, or warranty specifics for ITM001078, request the supplier datasheet to confirm suitability for specific environments (e.g., plenum spaces or regulated installations).
Use cases and scenarios where this cable excels
The 3-metre Blue Cat5e Patch Lead is a versatile component for numerous everyday network tasks. Typical scenarios include:
- Patch panels to switches:Short rack-side runs between patch panels and top-of-rack or end-of-row switches — the moulded boots help in tight rack spaces.
- Workstation connections:Connecting desktop PCs, VoIP phones or thin clients to wall jacks or patch panels in offices and classrooms.
- Small office and home networks:Router-to-switch or switch-to-network-attached-storage (NAS) connections where reliable gigabit performance is needed without overpaying for higher-category cabling.
- Temporary or testing setups:Lab environments, temporary event networks or proof-of-concept deployments where inexpensive, easy-to-handle patch leads are preferred.
- PoE-enabled devices:Powering VoIP phones, low-power cameras and wireless access points using PoE (verify device power requirements and cable condition; Cat5e commonly supports standard PoE).
Because of its flexibility and modest length, this cable is especially convenient where excess cable length would create clutter or airflow issues in racks.
Comparisons with similar products on the market
When evaluating short patch leads, buyers typically consider category performance (Cat5e vs Cat6), conductor type (stranded vs solid), jacket material, shielding, connector quality and price. Here’s how the Blue Cat5e Lead stacks up:
Cat6 and Cat6a cables offer higher frequency performance and stricter crosstalk specifications. If your network requires multi-gigabit speeds across longer horizontal runs or future-proofing for 10Gb over copper at length, Cat6a or Cat6 may be preferable. However, for short patch runs and typical gigabit networks, a Cat5e-family patch lead like ITM001078 is cost-effective and delivers the needed performance with less bulk.
This product appears to be an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) patch lead — the common choice for most indoor installations. Shielded variants (STP/FTP) add protection in high-interference environments but are more expensive and require proper installation to ground the shield. For typical office and home setups, UTP is sufficient.
Stranded patch leads are the standard for short, flexible interconnects. Solid-core cables are for permanent in-wall runs and wall jacks. If you need a plug that will be terminated onto a permanent run, choose the appropriate solid-core patching or install faceplates/patch panels accordingly.
At a suggested price of 4.99, ITM001078 is competitively priced against similar 3 m Cat5e patch leads from mainstream suppliers. The inclusion of gold-plated contacts and moulded boots enhances perceived value compared with very low-cost leads that may compromise on connector plating or strain relief.
Customer feedback and user impressions
Below are representative customer impressions collected from typical user experiences (anonymised and generalised):
- Office IT manager:"Solid, reliable cables for desktop runs — the blue makes it simple to identify workstation links in the patch panel. No issues after months of daily reconnections."
- Home network enthusiast:"Great value for the price. I wired my home office and the gigabit link has been rock-solid. The moulded boot prevents snags behind my desk."
- Small datacentre technician:"Ideal for short swaps in racks. Not a premium Cat6 part, but it does exactly what’s expected — clean, predictable connectivity at a low cost."
Note: These comments are illustrative summaries of typical user experiences rather than verbatim sourced reviews. For verified testimonials, consult retailer or reseller pages where customers post ratings.
Installation tips and best practices
To get the best performance and longevity from this and any patch lead, follow a few simple rules:
- Avoid sharp bends and kinks; respect the cable's bend radius to preserve signal integrity.
- Keep patch leads separated from mains power cables to minimise potential interference.
- Use colour-coding consistently across the installation to simplify moves, adds and changes.
- Inspect connectors and moulded boots for visible damage before use; replace any cable with exposed conductors or loose contacts.
- If deploying in fire-sensitive or plenum spaces, confirm jacket ratings and certifications (request the ITM001078 datasheet if required).
Conclusion: Why choose the Blue Cat5e Patch Lead (ITM001078)?
The 3 m Blue Cat5e Patch Lead (ITM001078) offers a pragmatic balance of performance, reliability and affordability. With gold-plated RJ45 contacts, moulded strain-relief boots, T568B wiring and a visible blue jacket, it meets the needs of most office, small datacentre and home-network patching tasks. While higher-category (Cat6/Cat6a) or shielded options exist for specialist or future-proofed installations, this Cat5e-family cable is an efficient and cost-effective choice where gigabit networking and organised cable management are the priorities. For any regulated installations or environments with specific fire-rating requirements, request the supplier datasheet to verify certifications and conductor AWG before deployment.
Product highlight:3 m, blue, gold-plated RJ45 male-to-male Cat5e patch lead — SKU ITM001078 — dependable, inexpensive and ideal for everyday LAN patching.
