StarTech S45PATCH3BL 3-Foot Shielded Cat5e Patch Cable

Overview

The StarTech S45PATCH3BL is a 3.0 ft (0.9 m) shielded Cat5e patch cable built around a 4-pair, 24 AWG conductor configuration with RJ-45 connectors on both ends. At 100 MHz, Cat5e is the established baseline for Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure — and at this length, it covers the short rack-to-switch and switch-to-device hops where signal integrity depends more on connector quality and shielding than on raw cable length. This cable is rated for up to 100W PoE under the IEEE 802.3bt standard, which means it can carry full PoE++ power delivery without derating — a meaningful distinction in modern IP security and AV deployments where devices are drawing 60–90W per port.

Shielding matters in environments with dense cable runs, electrical interference from motors or HVAC equipment, or installations near unshielded power cabling. Where an unshielded Cat5e cable might introduce crosstalk or EMI-related packet errors in electrically noisy environments, the shielded construction of the S45PATCH3BL keeps signal integrity intact at the connector level.

Key Features

• IEEE 802.3bt PoE++ Support (Up to 100W): The cable is rated to carry up to 100W of PoE power per the 802.3bt standard. This covers the full spectrum of PoE devices — from basic 802.3af cameras at 15.4W all the way up to high-wattage PTZ cameras, Wi-Fi 6 access points, and video conferencing endpoints that demand 60–90W. You won't need to derate or second-guess whether this cable is the limiting factor in your power budget.
• Cat5e at 100 MHz: Rated to 100 MHz, this cable handles Gigabit Ethernet without issue. For network cable runs under 100 meters, Cat5e at this frequency supports the full 1000BASE-T spec. In a 3-foot patch application, frequency headroom is rarely the constraint — but having a rated, verified spec gives you documentation for compliance-conscious deployments.
• 24 AWG, 4-Pair Construction: 24 AWG conductors strike the right balance between current-carrying capacity and flexibility for a patch cable. 4-pair wiring supports both full-duplex Gigabit Ethernet and the balanced pair requirements of 802.3bt PoE++ — thinner gauges used in some budget cables can introduce resistive losses that reduce available PoE wattage at the device end.
• Shielded Construction: The shielded jacket reduces susceptibility to electromagnetic interference — a practical advantage in server rooms, IDF closets, and equipment racks where multiple cables run in parallel and RF noise from switching power supplies is common. If you're connecting into a shielded keystone or shielded patch panel, this cable completes the shielded channel properly.
• CMG-Rated PVC Jacket: The CMG (Communications Multipurpose Cable, General) fire rating means this cable meets the burn and smoke requirements for general-purpose in-building installation. It's appropriate for use in commercial spaces where fire codes require rated cabling — though not for plenum spaces, which require CMP-rated jackets. PVC keeps the cable flexible and manageable at 3 feet without stiffness issues.
• Operating Range 0°C to 50°C: Rated for standard indoor operating conditions, this cable is designed for equipment rooms and interior network closets. Storage is rated from -20°C to 70°C with 0–95% relative humidity tolerance, so it ships and stores without damage across a wide range of warehouse and logistics environments.
• Lifetime Warranty: StarTech backs the S45PATCH3BL with a lifetime manufacturer warranty — which for a passive copper cable is the appropriate coverage level and confirms the manufacturer stands behind the connector terminations and jacket quality over the full service life of the installation.
• 3.0 ft (0.9 m) Length, 1.8 oz Weight: At under 2 ounces, this cable adds negligible weight to a patch panel. The 3-foot length is the standard choice for same-rack connections — long enough to route cleanly through cable management rings, short enough to avoid slack pile-up.

Integration and Compatibility

The S45PATCH3BL is compatible with any RJ-45 jack or port — switches, routers, NVRs, IP cameras, PoE injectors, and patch panels. The 802.3bt PoE++ rating makes it a direct fit for PoE switches delivering high-wattage output, including ports powering devices that draw well above the 802.3at (PoE+) 30W ceiling. Because the cable is shielded, it pairs cleanly with shielded patch panels and shielded keystones to maintain a fully shielded channel end-to-end — important in installations following TIA-568 shielded channel specifications. It is not a crossover cable and does not include a cross-wired configuration — this is a standard straight-through patch cable for device-to-switch connections.

For deployments involving IP security cameras or other PoE-powered edge devices, this cable handles the full 802.3bt power delivery spec without introducing resistive losses that could reduce available device power. Pair with a Cat5e or Cat6 patch panel to complete the horizontal cross-connect at the IDF or equipment rack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the S45PATCH3BL support full 100W PoE++ (802.3bt)?

A: Yes. The cable is rated for up to 100W PoE per the IEEE 802.3bt standard. This covers all PoE classes including 802.3af (15.4W), 802.3at PoE+ (30W), and 802.3bt PoE++ up to 100W, so it will not be the limiting factor for any standard PoE-powered device.

Q: Is the S45PATCH3BL suitable for plenum spaces?

A: No. The S45PATCH3BL carries a CMG (Communications Multipurpose Cable, General) fire rating, which is appropriate for general in-building use but not for plenum air-handling spaces. Plenum installations require a CMP-rated cable. Check your local fire and building codes before installing in ceiling plenums or raised-floor air returns.

Q: What is the warranty on the S45PATCH3BL?

A: StarTech provides a lifetime manufacturer warranty on the S45PATCH3BL.

Q: Is this a shielded or unshielded cable?

A: The S45PATCH3BL is a shielded Cat5e patch cable. The shielded construction reduces susceptibility to electromagnetic interference (EMI), making it a better choice than unshielded cables in electrically noisy environments such as equipment racks with dense power cabling or industrial spaces with motor-driven equipment.

Q: What AWG is the conductor on the S45PATCH3BL, and why does it matter for PoE?

A: The cable uses 24 AWG conductors. Thicker conductors (lower AWG number) reduce resistive loss along the cable, which directly affects how much PoE wattage reaches the powered device versus being lost as heat in the cable. At 3 feet, resistive loss is negligible, but the 24 AWG construction ensures the cable meets the conductor requirements for 4-pair 802.3bt PoE++ delivery.

Q: Can this cable be used for Gigabit Ethernet?

A: Yes. Cat5e rated to 100 MHz supports 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet) over distances up to 100 meters. At 3 feet, the S45PATCH3BL easily handles Gigabit throughput with significant headroom.

Ted Perry

The spec that gets overlooked on short patch cables is the PoE wattage rating — and on the S45PATCH3BL, StarTech has specifically certified this cable to IEEE 802.3bt, meaning it supports the full 100W PoE++ spec. That matters the moment you start deploying high-draw devices: a pan-tilt-zoom camera at 60W, a Wi-Fi 6E AP at 90W, or a video conferencing endpoint that demands every watt the switch port can deliver. Most patch cables in a typical drawer are not rated to 802.3bt, and while short runs rarely fail outright, you lose the documentation trail that compliance-focused network audits require.

Technical Highlights:

• 802.3bt / 100W PoE Rating: Verified to carry the full PoE++ power spec — covers every current PoE standard from 802.3af (15.4W) through 802.3bt (100W) without derating.
• Shielded Cat5e at 100 MHz: The shielded jacket reduces EMI pickup in dense rack environments, completing a shielded channel when paired with shielded patch panels and shielded keystones.
• Lifetime Warranty: StarTech's lifetime coverage on the S45PATCH3BL is the appropriate warranty class for passive copper infrastructure — it means the connector terminations and jacket integrity are backed for the life of the installation.

Deployment Considerations:

• The CMG fire rating covers general in-building spaces but not plenum air-handling zones — if your rack is in a raised-floor plenum or above a drop ceiling that serves as an air return, you need CMP-rated cable instead. Verify before pulling cable.
• Shielding only provides its full benefit when the entire channel is shielded — if your patch panel or keystone jacks are unshielded, the shielded cable still functions but the shielded channel continuity is broken at the connector. Match the shielding class end-to-end for full EMI rejection.

This cable is the right specification choice for IDF racks in commercial security deployments where 802.3bt PoE switches are feeding high-wattage PTZ or multi-sensor cameras and the installation requires documented, rated cabling for project closeout records.