ICC Male to Open-End 25-Pair Telco Cable 25ft - Reliable PBX Patch

In this review the ICC Male to Open-End 25-Pair Telco Cable is presented for installers and small business IT staff who need a dependable way to connect PBX, telephone, or low-data voice systems. The single biggest reason to buy is its combination of 100% solid annealed copper conductors and a 90-degree 50-pin male IDC connector, which together deliver reliable electrical contact and a neat, low-profile rack connection for multi-line voice runs.

Key Features

• 100% Solid Copper Conductors: The annealed solid bare copper 24 AWG wires meet NEC Section 800.179 and provide consistent conductivity and long-term stability for voice signals.
• IDC Termination: Insulation displacement connectors terminate 25 pairs onto polarized pins, making fast, secure mechanical connections without soldering.
• 90-Degree 50-Pin Connector: The male CN50 form factor with gold-over-nickel plated contacts reduces corrosion and maintains signal integrity at the cable-to-panel interface.
• Open-End Flexibility: The blunt open end allows direct termination into 66 or 110 blocks and custom patch panels, enabling flexible installations and field termination.
• CMR Riser Rating and UL Listed: UL listing and riser-rated flame resistance make it suitable for vertical runs between floors in buildings where code compliance matters.

Who It's For

This cable is best for telecom technicians, small office IT teams, and installers who need a ready-made 25-pair assembly for PBX, multi-line telephone systems, or low-bandwidth voice/data connections. The combination of a CN50 male connector and an open, blunt end suits environments where one end plugs into a patch panel or telco interface and the other end requires custom termination to distribution blocks.

It is less appropriate for high-speed data networks or environments requiring shielded cable, as the product is Category 3 UTP designed for voice and low-data applications. Customers who need Cat5e/Cat6 performance or shielded runs should choose a different cable type targeted at higher bandwidths.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High-quality copper conductors ensure consistent signal performance and NEC compliance.
• IDC termination and a CN50 90-degree male connector simplify installation and reduce cross connections.
• Open-end design provides flexible termination options to 66/110 blocks and custom panels.
• UL listed and CMR riser-rated for safer vertical cable runs between floors.

Cons

• Category 3 UTP limits this cable to voice and low-data uses, so it is not suitable for modern high-speed LAN needs.
• One blunt end requires field termination skills and tools, which can add installation time for some users.

Specifications

Cable Length	25 ft
Pair Count	25 pairs
Conductor	24 AWG 100% annealed solid bare copper
Connector	90-degree 50-pin male IDC (CN50) with gold over nickel contacts
Cable Rating	Category 3 UTP, CMR riser-rated
UL Listing	UL listed E125268
Temperature/Voltage	Rated 75C, 300V

Our Verdict

The ICC 25-pair male to open-end telco cable is a practical, code-compliant choice for voice-centric installations where reliable contacts and flexible termination are priorities. Installers will appreciate the IDC termination and CN50 connector for tidy rack work, and the solid copper conductors and UL riser rating offer long-term reliability and safety, making it good value for telecom-specific deployments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this cable be used for Ethernet?
No. This is a Category 3 UTP cable intended for voice and low-data PBX applications, not for standard Ethernet networks that require Cat5e or higher.

What does the open end plug into?
The blunt/open end is meant for direct termination into 66 blocks, 110 blocks, patch panels, or other distribution frames by trained installers.

Is this cable fire rated for vertical runs?
Yes. The cable is CMR riser-rated and UL listed, suitable for vertical cable runs between floors where riser-rated cable is required.