What is Patch Cord?

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Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects simply to a non-technical, business audience. Over…

A patch cord is a length of cable with connectors on each end that is used to connect end devices to power sources. These cables are mainly used to connect one electronic device to another. They are typically copper cables that have RJ45, TERA or GG45 connectors on both ends.

A patch cord may also be called a patch cable.

Patch cords are electrical or optical cables used to connect one electronic or optical device to another for signal routing. Different types of devices can be connected via patch cords. The cords are produced in different colors so that they are easily distinguishable and they range in length between 3 inches and 20 feet.

Different types of patch cords include headphone extension cables, microphone cables, tiny telephone connectors, XLR connectors and thick cords that carry video or amplified signals. Ethernet patch cables are a type of patch cable common to everyday computer users as they are used to build home computer networks. These cables are designed using standard sheathing to make them both durable and pliable. Crossover cables are specific Ethernet patch cables that directly connect two computers.

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