Cat5e Plenum Ethernet Cable 45ft Red - Reliable Solid Copper

In this review the focus is on a plenum-rated, 45ft red Cat5e cable intended for installers and home users who need a reliable, code-compliant run through air handling spaces. The bottom line: this cable is for anyone who needs a solid copper, CMP-rated Cat5e with clean RJ45 terminations and strain relief boots, and the single biggest reason to buy is its combination of plenum safety and solid 24AWG copper conductors that sustain gigabit-class performance up to 350MHz.

Key Features

• 45ft length: Provides a convenient mid-range run for home theaters, offices, or patch runs without sacrificing signal integrity.
• Plenum CMP rated: The jacket meets federal commercial building requirements for air handling spaces, offering a fire-resistant, low-smoke option for installers.
• Solid 24AWG copper: Solid bare copper conductors ensure consistent electrical performance and reduce attenuation for long-term reliability.
• EZ pass through RJ45: Gold-plated contacts with strain relief boots make for easier termination and a secure, durable connection to network gear.
• Up to 350MHz: Enhanced Cat5e specification supports high gigabit speeds for common LAN and entertainment devices.

Who It's For

This cable suits small business IT staff, AV installers, and homeowners running network or entertainment wiring where plenum-rated cable is required or preferred. It is especially useful when a visible color coding like red helps identify runs to specific rooms, devices, or systems.

Those who need higher bandwidth beyond Cat5e for future-proofing, such as sustained multi-gig 10G links or data center trunks, should consider Cat6 or higher. Also, this product is geared to indoor use and plenum spaces; it is not intended for outdoor or direct-burial scenarios.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Plenum CMP jacket provides the safety profile required for commercial air handling spaces.
• Solid 24AWG copper conductors deliver reliable signal quality and lower loss than copper-clad options.
• EZ pass through RJ45 connectors with gold-plated contacts and boots make secure terminations and reduce wear.
• Assembled in USA, providing consistent quality control across production facilities.

Cons

• Cat5e spec is limited to 350MHz, so it is not the best choice for users who need multi-gig or futureproofed Cat6/6a performance.

Specifications

Cable Type	CAT5E 4-Pair UTP
Length	45ft
Conductor	24AWG Solid Copper
Cable Rating	CMP Plenum Rated
Connector	RJ45 EZ Pass Through, Gold-Plated Contacts, Strain Relief Boots
Performance	Up to 350MHz, EIA/TIA-568B compliant
Compliance	UL ETL Listed, Assembled in USA

Our Verdict

The 45ft red Cat5e plenum cable is a practical, code-compliant choice for installers and homeowners who need dependable LAN/entertainment wiring in air handling spaces. With solid 24AWG copper and quality RJ45 terminations, it offers reliable gigabit-capable performance at a sensible price for applications that do not require Cat6-level bandwidth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this cable safe for plenum spaces?
Yes, it is CMP rated for plenum use and designed to meet federal commercial building requirements for air handling spaces.

Will this support gigabit Ethernet?
Yes, the Cat5e construction and up to 350MHz performance support gigabit Ethernet for typical LAN and entertainment devices.

Where is this cable assembled?
The cable is assembled in the USA using foreign and domestic parts by PHAT SATELLITE INTL.