| Question: Is there
any difference in quality between CAT 5 and CAT 5e patch and
crossover cables made in the USA, and those that are made
overseas and shipped to this country?
 Answer:
Absolutely. Testing of patch and crossover cables produced at
many offshore locations, have shown that there is a very good
reason that they price these "bargain" cables as low as they do.
Performance data collected on each type of cable revealed that
the cheaper inferior material, produces equally inferior results
when a data signal is sent through the cable.
The cheaper material was found to produce a
weaker signal, and allowed a greater amount of cross-talk and
signal noise. Also, the quality control measures used in the
production of these cables is often a partial check of 1% to 5%
of the actual production total. That leaves quite a wide margin
for error and increases your chance of receiving a cable that
will not work.
There is a trend among some builders and
installers to use the "cheapest thing they can find" in an
effort to save as much money as they can on the job, while
bidding based on using a high quality material. Some people have
the opinion that "a cable is a cable". Nothing could be further
from the truth. The next time someone tries to sell you a cheap
cable, ask them who makes the raw CAT5e material, and the RJ45
plugs. If they say: "They are produced offshore, there is no
brand", it would be a good idea to look elsewhere else.
The bottom line is: You get what you pay for.
You are not really saving any money if you have to buy it again
later.
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