Monoprice

Monoprice 103390 Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable 10ft Red

4.8 (224 reviews)

Affordable 10ft Cat5e patch cable with gold-plated contacts and snagless boots for reliable everyday networking.

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Overview

The Monoprice 103390 Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable is a 10-foot networking cable built for dependable wired connections in home offices, server racks, and general-purpose networking setups. It features 24AWG stranded pure bare copper conductors—an important distinction from cheaper copper-clad aluminum cables that can degrade signal quality over time. With 350MHz of bandwidth, it fully supports Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) and is backward compatible with 10/100 Mbps networks. The 50-micron gold-plated RJ45 contacts resist oxidation and maintain a solid electrical connection through repeated insertions.

The cable's snagless strain relief boots protect the connector clips from breaking off, a common frustration with unprotected patch cables pulled through bundles or tight spaces. The flat red jacket makes it easy to identify specific connections at a glance, which is particularly useful in setups with multiple cables running to a switch or patch panel. Compliant with UL Code 444 and TIA-568-C.2 standards, this cable meets industry specifications for structured cabling. For users who need a reliable, affordable patch cable for standard networking tasks, the 103390 delivers the essentials without unnecessary cost.

Key Features

Unshielded Twisted Pairs (UTP)

350MHz bandwidth

50µm gold plated contacts

Color matched, snagless strain relief boots

Specifications

Cable Type
Cat5e
Length
10 Feet
Color
Red
Connector
RJ45
Conductor
24AWG Stranded Pure Bare Copper
Bandwidth
350MHz
Shielding
UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)
Contacts
50µm Gold Plated
Boot Type
Snagless Strain Relief
Compliance
UL Code 444, TIA-568-C.2

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Pure bare copper conductors deliver better signal integrity than copper-clad aluminum alternatives.
  • 50-micron gold-plated contacts resist corrosion and ensure a reliable connection over time.
  • Snagless boot design protects the locking tab and makes cable management easier.
  • Red color coding helps visually distinguish network segments or device connections.
  • 350MHz bandwidth supports full Gigabit Ethernet speeds.

👎 Cons

  • Unshielded design offers no protection in environments with heavy electromagnetic interference.
  • Cat5e is an older standard that does not support 10 Gigabit Ethernet over longer runs.
  • 10-foot length may be too short for routing between rooms or through walls.
  • Stranded conductors are not ideal for permanent in-wall installations where solid copper is preferred.

Frequently Asked Questions

It uses 24AWG stranded pure bare copper wire, which provides better flexibility and signal quality compared to copper-clad aluminum alternatives.
No, this is an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable. It's suitable for standard home and office environments where electromagnetic interference is not a significant concern.
As a Cat5e cable with 350MHz bandwidth, it supports speeds up to 1 Gbps (Gigabit Ethernet) at distances up to 100 meters.
The snagless strain relief boot covers the locking tab on the RJ45 connector, preventing it from catching on other cables or surfaces when routing or pulling the cable through tight spaces.
Monoprice typically offers their Cat5e cables in multiple lengths and colors. This particular listing is for the 10-foot red version (model 103390).