Audio Cable Types: XLR, TRS, TS, RCA and 3.5 mm
XLR, TRS, TS, RCA and 3.5 mm audio cables compared: what each carries, balanced vs unbalanced wiring, line levels, TRRS pin orders and which adapters work.
The cable and connector reference
Which cable, which connector, how far?
A plain reference to the cables behind every network, screen and speaker: Ethernet and fiber, HDMI and DisplayPort, USB-C and Thunderbolt, serial and SCSI, audio, coax and power. What each one carries, how far, and what will not work.
Start with the cable in your hand
Six sections. Each opens with the guide that covers the essentials, then goes standard by standard.
Ethernet
Cat5e to Cat8, distances, T568A and T568B, crimping, shielding, fire ratings, PoE, patch panels and planning a wired home or office.
3 guides
Fiber
Singlemode and multimode, the OM grades and their reach, LC, SC, ST and MPO connectors, SFP modules, DAC cables, and when fiber beats copper.
4 guides
HDMI & video
HDMI versions and cable ratings, DisplayPort, ARC and eARC, long runs and HDBaseT, VGA and DVI adapters, and KVM switches.
3 guides
USB & Thunderbolt
Why USB-C cables differ, every USB speed name decoded, Thunderbolt and USB4, charging wattage, cable lengths, hubs, docks and Lightning.
4 guides
Serial & SCSI
RS-232 pinouts, null modem cables, USB-to-serial adapters, RS-422 and RS-485, SCSI and SAS, parallel printer and telco cables.
5 guides
Audio, coax & power
XLR, TRS and RCA, optical and coaxial digital audio, speaker wire gauge, RG6 and RG59 coax, BNC and SDI, analogue video and IEC power cords.
2 guidesNew guides
Cat5e vs Cat6 vs Cat6a: Which Ethernet Cable to Buy
Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a compared: bandwidth, 10 Gbps reach, shielding and when each category is the right choice for home or office cabling.
Cat7 and Cat8 Cables: What They Are and Who Needs Them
Cat7 is ISO-only with GG45 or TERA connectors; Cat8 is a 30 m data-centre cable. Learn what each standard says and what to buy for home or office.
Fiber Connector Types: LC, SC, ST, MPO, UPC vs APC
Compare LC, SC, ST and MPO fiber connectors, and learn why UPC and APC polish must never be mated. Includes cleaning and selection advice.
Composite vs Component Video: RCA Cables Compared
Composite and component video both use RCA plugs, but carry different signals. Compare resolution, connectors, S-Video and SCART, and adapters for old gear.
Ethernet Cable Categories: Cat5e to Cat8
Ethernet cable categories compared: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7 and Cat8 rated frequency, speed and distance, plus which to buy for home, office and 10 Gbps.
Fiber Optic Cable Types: Singlemode and Multimode
Singlemode and multimode fiber compared: OS2, OM1 to OM5, jacket colours, reach at 1G, 10G, 40G and 100G, and how to choose for a building or campus.
The label on a cable is a promise. The standard says whether it can keep it.
Start with Ethernet categoriesEthernet cables and network wiring
Cat5e to Cat8, distances, T568A and T568B, crimping, shielding, fire ratings, PoE, patch panels and planning a wired home or office.
Cat5e vs Cat6 vs Cat6a: Which Ethernet Cable to Buy
Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a compared: bandwidth, 10 Gbps reach, shielding and when each category is the right choice for home or office cabling.
Cat7 and Cat8 Cables: What They Are and Who Needs Them
Cat7 is ISO-only with GG45 or TERA connectors; Cat8 is a 30 m data-centre cable. Learn what each standard says and what to buy for home or office.
Ethernet Cable Categories: Cat5e to Cat8
Ethernet cable categories compared: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7 and Cat8 rated frequency, speed and distance, plus which to buy for home, office and 10 Gbps.
Fiber optic cabling
Singlemode and multimode, the OM grades and their reach, LC, SC, ST and MPO connectors, SFP modules, DAC cables, and when fiber beats copper.
Fiber Connector Types: LC, SC, ST, MPO, UPC vs APC
Compare LC, SC, ST and MPO fiber connectors, and learn why UPC and APC polish must never be mated. Includes cleaning and selection advice.
Fiber Optic Cable Types: Singlemode and Multimode
Singlemode and multimode fiber compared: OS2, OM1 to OM5, jacket colours, reach at 1G, 10G, 40G and 100G, and how to choose for a building or campus.
Multimode Fiber Grades Compared: OM1 to OM5
Compare OM1 to OM5 multimode fiber: core size, jacket colour, and 1G, 10G, 40G and 100G reach. See what to install new and what old OM1 and OM2 still carry.
HDMI, DisplayPort and video cables
HDMI versions and cable ratings, DisplayPort, ARC and eARC, long runs and HDBaseT, VGA and DVI adapters, and KVM switches.
HDMI Cable Types: Standard to Ultra High Speed
HDMI cables are certified by speed, not version. Compare Standard, High Speed, Premium High Speed, Ultra High Speed and Ultra96, and how to verify a label.
HDMI 1.4, 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2: Versions and Cable Speeds
HDMI 1.4, 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 compared: bandwidth, resolutions, refresh rates, eARC and VRR. Learn why cables are rated by speed, not version.
HDMI vs DisplayPort: Which Cable for Which Screen
HDMI and DisplayPort compared: bandwidth, refresh rates, daisy-chaining and adapters. Pick the right cable for a TV, a gaming monitor or a laptop.
USB, USB-C and Thunderbolt
Why USB-C cables differ, every USB speed name decoded, Thunderbolt and USB4, charging wattage, cable lengths, hubs, docks and Lightning.
USB-C Cable Types: Data, Power and Video
Not all USB-C cables are equal. Learn how to tell a charging cable from a data cable, what an e-marker does, and which cable your monitor needs.
Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 vs USB4: Speeds and Cables
Thunderbolt 4 vs USB4 explained: bandwidth, PCIe, displays, charging and cable lengths, plus how Thunderbolt 3 and 5 compare and which cable to buy.
USB 3.0, 3.1, 3.2 and USB4 Speeds and Names Decoded
USB 3.0, 3.1, 3.2 and USB4 naming decoded: exact speeds, cable lengths, power limits, and what a drive or dock really needs.
Serial, SCSI and legacy cabling
RS-232 pinouts, null modem cables, USB-to-serial adapters, RS-422 and RS-485, SCSI and SAS, parallel printer and telco cables.
RS-232 Pinouts: DB9 and DB25 Explained
Complete RS-232 pinout reference for DB9 and DB25 connectors: DTE and DCE pin assignments, voltage levels, cable limits, and the TTL mistake that damages boards.
Null Modem Cables: Wiring, Adapters and Pinouts
A null modem cable crosses TX and RX to join two computers directly. Covers DB9 and DB25 pinouts, adapters versus cables, gender changers and loopback testing.
SCSI Cables, Connectors and Terminators
SCSI cable types explained: 50-pin, HD68 and SCA-80 connectors, narrow vs wide buses, SE, LVD and HVD signalling, termination rules and length limits.
Audio, coax and power cords
XLR, TRS and RCA, optical and coaxial digital audio, speaker wire gauge, RG6 and RG59 coax, BNC and SDI, analogue video and IEC power cords.
Audio Cable Types: XLR, TRS, TS, RCA and 3.5 mm
XLR, TRS, TS, RCA and 3.5 mm audio cables compared: what each carries, balanced vs unbalanced wiring, line levels, TRRS pin orders and which adapters work.
Composite vs Component Video: RCA Cables Compared
Composite and component video both use RCA plugs, but carry different signals. Compare resolution, connectors, S-Video and SCART, and adapters for old gear.