Patch Leads: What They Are and How to Choose the Right One

Patch leads are flexible, double-ended cables used to connect electronics and network equipment. Choose stranded cables for movable connections and solid conductors for fixed, in-wall runs. For Ethernet use RJ45 with Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a depending on speed needs; use shielded cables and grounding in high-interference environments. Fiber patch cords use LC/SC connectors and support longer distances.

What a patch lead is

A patch lead (also called a patch cable or patch cord) is a double-ended cable used to connect two pieces of electrical or electronic equipment. You'll see them in networking (Ethernet), audio/video setups, radio gear, and instrument connections. They differ from permanent in-wall wiring by being flexible and intended for frequent plugging and unplugging.

Stranded vs. solid conductors

Most consumer patch leads use stranded conductors. Stranded wire is made from many thin strands and stays flexible, which is why it's used for short, movable cables that are routed around desks, racks, or equipment. Solid-conductor cables use a single, thicker conductor and are common in structured cabling runs inside walls or conduits. Solid core can break if repeatedly flexed and is not suited for frequent movement.

Common cable types and connectors

Ethernet patch leads use RJ45 connectors and are typically UTP (unshielded twisted pair) or some form of shielded twisted pair (STP/FTP) to reduce electromagnetic interference. Audio and broadcast patch leads use connectors such as XLR, TRS (1/4"/3.5mm), RCA, or BNC. Fiber patch cords use connectors like LC, SC, or ST and come in singlemode or multimode variants for different distances and bandwidths.

Performance categories (standards)

Copper Ethernet patch leads are labeled by category. Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a remain common. Cat5e supports Gigabit Ethernet; Cat6 can support 1 Gbps at 100 m and 10 Gbps at shorter distances; Cat6a supports 10 Gbps at the full 100 m in typical installations. Higher-numbered options (Cat7/8 and various shielded systems) exist for specialized needs, but Cat5e-Cat6a covers most home and office uses.

Shielding, plating, and grounding

Quality depends on factors like shielding (none, pair, or overall), conductor material (usually copper), and contact plating on connectors (gold plating resists corrosion and can improve contact reliability). Shielding and proper grounding reduce interference in high-noise environments such as studios or industrial sites.

Lengths and practical limits

Patch leads for desktop and rack use are typically short - centimeters to a few meters. Structured cabling runs follow standards: copper Ethernet segments are generally limited to 100 meters end-to-end. Fiber optic patch leads can span much longer distances depending on singlemode or multimode type and transmitter/receiver equipment.

Choosing the right patch lead

Match the connector type, conductor style, and category/shielding to your application. Use stranded RJ45 patch cords for short, flexible connections and solid-conductor cable for permanent in-wall runs. For noise-prone environments, choose shielded cables and properly ground metal connectors. When in doubt, consult vendor specifications for bandwidth, insertion loss, and connector standards.