Robust RJ45 for frequent connections/disconnections

Question

I am looking for robust RJ45 cables/connectors in an environment where people come and go and plug in and out. After a month of usage, the connectors are worn out and fall out and you need to replace the cable. I want to not do it so often - what are my options other than wireless?

Update: after some searching, I think I have found what I was looking for. The magic keywords seem to be "cat6 patch leads with strain relief". The most robust I've seen have a long "sleeve", but these guys seems to be also very durable. Not endorsing any product, just the type of design.

What are they doing, yanking the cable out of their machine? I've had the same cable for years and it's still functional. — Nathan C, Jul 04 '13 at 11:25
Search for `RJ45 Pouches Jacket`, maybe it increases lifetime. — ott--, Jul 04 '13 at 11:46
You don't describe your environment - if it's a company environment, where people are likely to use similar equipment, I'd advice you to use docking stations. Or just get a tool set and replace connectors. — Jenny D, Jul 04 '13 at 11:54
@DennisKaarsemaker The OP explicitly asks for options "other than wireless". — user, Jul 04 '13 at 12:35
Try to use high quality CAT6A connectors which are more rugged — Sharat Yadav, Jul 04 '13 at 13:07

Chopper3 · Answer 1 · 2013-07-05T06:58:45.770

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Very weird question but I'd be tempted to buy a whole bunch of short cheapo 0.5m-1m cables and just switch out those instead of trying to find some, probably mythical, super-strong ones myself. Not exactly the green approach but it'll work.

edited Jul 05 '13 at 06:58

answered Jul 04 '13 at 11:28

Chopper3

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This. I mean, there's [these](http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=092-181&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla), but ruggedized cabling is expensive. – Nathan C Jul 04 '13 at 11:30

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 04 '13 at 11:31

This isn't actually an unusual problem.

There's a whole range of networking hardware and paraphrenalia designed for rough/industrial environments.

A quick google for "industrial rj45" turned up things like this:

There's even some which are good up to IP67.

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 04 '13 at 11:33

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Lots of people use a RJ45 cable for their laptop, plug/unplug everyday for years without any problem. In my whole life I never saw a RJ45 falling out (well, in 20 years). I suspect your users do something you don't know.

If you want them to plug something into their own RJ45 female, you can't have any other choice than using a RJ45 male.

answered Jul 04 '13 at 11:33

Gregory MOUSSAT

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Think hotdesk environment. cables go dead before you blink – Konrads Jul 04 '13 at 11:40

Robust RJ45 for frequent connections/disconnections

3 Answers3