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Monoprice 114285 Zeroboot Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable — main product image
Monoprice 114285 Zeroboot Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable
Monoprice 114285 Zeroboot Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable
Monoprice 114285 Zeroboot Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable
Monoprice

Monoprice 114285 Zeroboot Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable

★★★★★4.6 (382 reviews)

Pure bare copper conductors and 350MHz bandwidth deliver reliable Cat5e performance without the signal degradation risk of copper-clad aluminum alternatives.

$3.40*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Monoprice Zeroboot Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable is a 24AWG stranded UTP cable built on 100% pure bare copper conductors — a specification that separates it from the large volume of budget Cat5e cabling made with copper-clad aluminum wire. The electrical distinction is meaningful: pure copper has lower DC resistance and higher frequency performance than CCA, meeting the full requirements of UL Code 444 and TIA-568-C.2. The 350MHz bandwidth rating exceeds the standard Cat5e 100MHz baseline, providing additional attenuation headroom that keeps signal integrity high across the cable's usable lifespan and in electrically noisy installations. The 50µm gold-plated RJ45 contacts resist oxidation and maintain stable contact resistance through repeated connection cycles.

This cable is built for the patch panel, the equipment rack, and the desktop run — environments where short, flexible, standards-compliant cabling is the foundation of a reliable network. It is particularly well-suited for PoE and PoE+ deployments, where pure copper conductors are required to safely carry sustained current without excess resistive heating. The ZEROboot snagless design removes the protective clip cover from the RJ45, simplifying insertion and extraction in high-density patch panels where booted connectors frequently tangle. For IT professionals, AV integrators, and network installers who need a code-compliant, PoE-safe Cat5e patch cable at volume pricing, the Monoprice Zeroboot delivers consistent performance without the reliability risk of CCA alternatives.

Key Features

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Category 5e Ethernet cable

24AWG stranded, pure bare copper conductors

350MHz bandwidth

No protective plug retaining clip covers

50m gold plated contacts

Made of 100% pure bare copper wire

Fully compliant with UL Code 444

Compliant with National Electrical Code TIA-568-C.2 fire and safety standards

Specifications

Cable Type
Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable (UTP)
Conductor Gauge
24AWG stranded
Conductor Material
100% pure bare copper
Bandwidth
350MHz
Connector Type
RJ45
Contact Plating
50µm gold plated
Shielding
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
Compliance
UL Code 444, TIA-568-C.2
Design
ZEROboot (no protective plug retaining clip cover)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 100% pure bare copper conductors comply with UL 444 and TIA-568-C.2, eliminating the attenuation and PoE heating risks associated with copper-clad aluminum cables sold at similar price points.
  • 350MHz bandwidth rating provides substantial headroom above the 100MHz Cat5e minimum spec, translating to lower attenuation and better crosstalk margins across the cable's service life.
  • 50µm gold-plated RJ45 contacts resist oxidation and ensure consistent contact resistance across repeated insertions — relevant for frequently moved patch cables in live environments.
  • Snagless connector design simplifies routing in dense patch panels where booted cables tend to catch and tangle during cable management.
  • Full compliance with National Electrical Code TIA-568-C.2 fire and safety standards makes this cable suitable for structured cabling installations subject to code inspection.

👎 Cons

  • Stranded 24AWG conductors are optimized for patch cable flexibility and short runs — they exhibit higher attenuation per meter than solid 23AWG bulk cable and should not be used for permanent in-wall or ceiling runs approaching the 100-meter limit.
  • The snagless no-boot design leaves the RJ45 locking tab physically exposed, increasing the risk of tab breakage if cables are frequently pulled or handled roughly in high-density rack environments.
  • Cat5e is limited to 1 Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) — networks requiring 10 Gigabit over copper (10GBASE-T) require Cat6A minimum, and this cable cannot be upgraded to support higher throughput.
  • No shielding (UTP construction) means this cable is susceptible to electromagnetic interference in environments with high EMI density — near power conduits, fluorescent lighting, or industrial equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Standard Cat5e is specified at 100MHz, but the Monoprice Zeroboot is rated to 350MHz — the same frequency ceiling as many Cat5e Enhanced cables. In practice for Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T), the extra headroom means the cable operates well below its attenuation and crosstalk limits, providing a larger margin against signal degradation over the cable's lifetime and in electrically noisy environments.
Pure bare copper has lower resistivity than CCA, meaning less signal attenuation over the cable run, especially at high frequencies. CCA cables fail to meet UL 444 and TIA-568-C.2 safety and performance standards because the aluminum core increases DC resistance and changes the cable's electrical characteristics — particularly relevant for PoE (Power over Ethernet) applications where sustained current draw through CCA conductors can cause overheating. This cable uses 100% pure bare copper and is fully UL 444 and TIA-568-C.2 compliant.
The snagless design removes the protective boot that typically covers the RJ45 locking tab. Without this boot, the clip is exposed but unobstructed — useful in dense patch panels and tight cable runs where booted connectors can catch on adjacent cables or panels. The trade-off is that the locking tab is slightly more exposed to physical impact during handling.
Yes. The 24AWG pure bare copper conductors and UL 444 compliance make this cable suitable for standard PoE (15.4W) and PoE+ (30W) applications. The pure copper construction is critical here — CCA cables are not recommended for PoE because the higher resistance generates excess heat under sustained current load. For PoE++ (60W/90W), Cat6 or Cat6A with 23AWG conductors is the preferred specification.
TIA-568 specifies a maximum permanent link length of 90 meters (295 feet) and a channel length of 100 meters (328 feet) for Cat5e Gigabit Ethernet. This cable, as a patch cable, is intended for shorter runs — equipment rack to patch panel, desktop to wall jack, or switch-to-switch in a rack. For structured cabling runs approaching the 100-meter limit, use bulk Cat5e in-wall rated cable rather than stranded patch cable.

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