Todd Dice (Customer) asked a question.
Ethernet cables with protected levers and 1-foot lengths.
If I had to complain about your Ethernet cable offering, it is the lack of protected levers and no 1-foot lengths.
- I wish you offered 1-foot length cables (I end up sourcing those from McMaster-Carr) because 3-feet is too long in my panels to go from a PLC CPU to a switch.
- I had to program a PLC and HMI at a customer's facility this past week, and had a brand new 14-foot cable. Upon pulling it from my computer bag, I accidentally broke one of the locking levers from one end. It would be nice if you offered something like this type, also available from McMaster-Carr.
Thanks!
We just make our own it's cheaper and don't take but a minute or two.
ADC does provide Ethernet cables with protected levers. Here is an example, but not 1-ft length.
https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/cables_(terminated)/ethernet_cables/7700-74301-s4u0060
Agreed, there are times, a 1-ft length Ethernet cable is convenient. Besides McMaster, we have found many items from L-com, many items that hard to find elsewhere. Here is an example from L-com of a 1-ft length Ethernet cable.
https://www.l-com.com/ethernet-premium-category-5e-patch-cable-rj45-rj45-blue-10-ft
I keep a stock pile of these ethernet cables and in different lengths and colors. They probably wont stand up to continuous flexing but they seam to be decent for the cost.
https://www.amazon.com/InstallerParts-Ethernet-Cable-Shielded-Booted/dp/B008ITQY0A
I just purchased this cable for my remote PLC/HMI coding work:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DUYDFVY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
They are pretty cheap on Amazon, I do a lot of IT so I have a lot of them. But I know the pain of having too many different branded items in one control box. You could suggest that they start carrying a certain brand and model : https://www.automationdirect.com/feedback/suggest-a-product
Another source:
https://us.rs-online.com/product/quest-technology-rs-pro/npc-1201/75627091/
RS has a bazillion choices for these If you need shielding or a different CAT rating. They're really inexpensive. I order a dozen or two at a time in various lengths down to 6 inches which is what I will sometimes use for a jumper from a CPU to a switch where it looks cleaner and is easier to work with than a longer one routed through wire duct. RS does charge for shipping but also very fair rates, so if you ordered 24 cables at ~$3.00 each plus ~$11 UPS still makes them a bargain.