It seems as if businesses are spending more and getting less these days. So, it’s a relief to find something that lets you spend less … and get more: Ethernet bulk cable.

When looking to add a few feet of Ethernet cable, a patch cable is what usually comes to mind. But if you are in the business of installing or expanding a lot of patch cables, or you need cables with a longer reach, you’ll save in the long run by buying it in a bulk length.

Opting for Ethernet bulk cable such as bulk Cat 5e, bulk Cat 6, and bulk Cat 6a brings five distinct advantages, listed below. But first, let’s define the difference between patch cables and bulk cable.

Patch Cables vs. Bulk Cable

The main difference between Ethernet patch cables and Ethernet bulk cable is the length. Most of NavePoint’s patch cables are from 1 foot to 10 feet long. They are great for connecting individual devices to a network, router, or other device and are a common sight on network-rack patch panels.

Our bulk cable comes in lengths of 250, 500, or 1,000 feet. It includes standard indoor CCA Ethernet cable, plenum Ethernet cable, CMR Ethernet cable for communications riser use, and outdoor direct burial Ethernet cable.

Speaking of practical applications, common uses for bulk Ethernet cable include not only shorter custom lengths but longer lengths for applications such as:

• Routing through walls, ceilings, or floors and from room to room
• In outdoor networking setups to connect buildings
• In large rooms at networking events such as conferences and trade shows
• Connecting security system components that are not close to the network source

5 Advantages of Ethernet Bulk Cable

• Ability to Customize: Every network installation is custom, since no two are the same. Buying in bulk allows you to cut cable to the exact lengths you need to fit your unique setup. You won’t be faced with a line that won’t quite reach, and you’ll avoid those rat’s nests of excess cable that get tangled with the others.
• Lower Cost: As with most products, you’ll save money by buying cable in bulk. For example, a 1,000-foot roll of Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable costs about half as much per foot as a 250-foot roll. The savings is much more when comparing bulk rolls with patch cables. You will also save by using less cable overall, since your custom lengths will be only as long as you need them to be.
• Quicker Maintenance: Using custom lengths of cable eliminates the mess of excess wiring, making it easier to install, remove, or re-route cords and to troubleshoot wiring problems. Faulty connections are easier to find in a well-ordered installation, which means less downtime during maintenance.
• Quieter Signals: In general, one long cable preserves signal integrity better than a series of shorter cables joined with connectors. This is because each connector introduces a point of potential signal degradation or interference, increasing the likelihood of signal loss, crosstalk, and other issues. With Ethernet bulk cable, you can connect your network points using fewer cables and connectors than when relying on shorter patch cables. Bulk also means using less cable overall, with minimal slack, which contributes to signal integrity.
• Convenient Storage: A lot of data centers and IT closets are littered with various lengths of excess cable, not always clearly labeled. But all of NavePoint’s bulk Ethernet cable products are installed on tangle-free spools that are well labeled and easy to store for fast retrieval. Our Class 5e and Class 6 spools are packaged in pull boxes that protect the cable and make pulling out the required amount easier.

NavePoint’s Ethernet bulk cable is in stock now in seven colors and is available with FREE standard same-day shipping. We also carry full lines of bulk alarm cable, bulk CCTV cable, and bulk speaker wire. If you have product questions or need recommendations, contact our U.S.-based team of experts at +1 (866) 312-5401 or email us at sales@navepoint.com.