Start typing to see results...
Find the perfect solution
Connectors are the metal-and-plastic plugs and jacks that terminate cables and equipment, providing the physical and electrical interface between cable and gear. The Connectors subcategory groups individual connector components used for field termination, repair, and custom cable assembly: RJ45 plugs and jacks for network cable, F-connectors for coaxial, BNC connectors for video and SDI, banana plugs and spade lugs for speaker cable, XLR connectors for balanced audio, and many specialty types.
Pre-terminated cable is convenient but expensive and inflexible: you are stuck with whatever length the manufacturer offers, and waste cable if your run is shorter. For permanent installations and any large project, buying bulk cable and connectors separately is far more economical: install crews cut cable to the exact length needed and terminate it on site with the right connector at each end. This minimizes waste, optimizes cable runs, and lets the installer choose the connector style that matches the equipment.
RJ45 plugs are the most common connector in modern installations. They terminate CAT5e, CAT6, and CAT6a network cable for Ethernet, AV-over-IP, HDBaseT, PoE, and many other modern AV signals. Quality matters: cheap RJ45 plugs often fail in commercial installations, especially at higher data rates. Look for plugs rated for the cable category in use (CAT6a plugs for CAT6a cable, etc.), and use a proper crimping tool. Punch-down keystone jacks terminate cable at wall plates and patch panels.
BNC connectors are the standard for professional video over coaxial cable: SDI, broadcast, CCTV, and test equipment. They have a quarter-turn locking mechanism that resists accidental disconnection. F-connectors are simpler screw-on connectors used for consumer cable TV, satellite, and some security camera installations. The cable type (RG-6, RG-59, RG-11) must match the connector size and the application's bandwidth requirements.
XLR connectors are the standard for balanced professional audio: microphones, line-level interconnects, and powered speakers. They are durable, locking, and resistant to electrical noise. TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) connectors (1/4-inch or 3.5 mm) serve unbalanced and balanced audio in mixers, instruments, and consumer gear. Field-terminating XLR and TRS connectors requires good soldering or properly designed solderless connectors.
Banana plugs and spade lugs terminate speaker cable for connection to amplifier binding posts and speaker terminals. Speakon connectors are heavy-duty locking connectors used in pro audio for safe, reliable connections that can carry high currents and resist disconnection on stage. The choice depends on the amplifier and speaker terminations: most commercial speakers and amplifiers accept banana plugs, while pro audio gear increasingly uses Speakon.
Connectors are needed wherever cable must be terminated to length: in permanent commercial AV installations (every cable run terminated at each end with the right connector), in rental and staging (cable assemblies built and rebuilt for each event), in field service and repair (replacing damaged connectors instead of replacing whole cables), in custom installations where standard cable lengths do not fit, and in broadcast and security installations where consistent termination quality is critical.
Buy bulk cable and separate connectors for any installation with multiple runs of significant length, especially in commercial AV where exact cable length and clean termination matter. The savings on bulk cable plus connectors over pre-made cables of fixed lengths are substantial, and you waste no cable. For small jobs or quick repairs, pre-made cables are faster and often cheaper than buying the smallest spool of bulk cable. Most professional installers carry both: pre-made for short patch cables and quick fixes, bulk plus connectors for permanent installation runs.
BNC connectors are the professional choice for video over coax: SDI, broadcast, CCTV with quality cameras, test equipment. They lock with a quarter-turn and resist accidental disconnection, which matters when cameras are operated, when equipment is racked, and in any environment where reliability is critical. F connectors are the consumer choice, used for cable TV, satellite, and some lower-end security cameras. F is simpler and cheaper but does not lock and can come loose. For professional AV, broadcast, or security installations, BNC is the right choice.
Technically the plugs will fit, but you should use CAT6-rated plugs and keystone jacks for CAT6 cable. CAT6 plugs are designed with appropriate spacing and contacts for the higher-frequency signals CAT6 carries, and they often have features (load bars to keep the pairs properly arranged) that ensure performance at the cable's rated speed. Using CAT5e plugs on CAT6 cable will work for slower applications (Gigabit Ethernet) but may fail at higher speeds (10GBASE-T) or in long runs where signal margin matters.
All three work; the choice depends on the equipment and the installation. Banana plugs slot into binding posts cleanly and disconnect easily, ideal for amplifier outputs that may be unplugged occasionally. Spade lugs fit under the binding post screw and stay put under torque, ideal for permanent connections that will not be disturbed. Bare wire works in any binding post and is the cheapest option, but can fray, oxidize over time, and short adjacent posts if not carefully trimmed. For commercial installs, banana plugs or spade lugs are usually the right professional choice.
A few habits prevent most issues. Use the right tool for the connector (a proper crimp tool for RJ45, a coaxial compression tool for BNC and F, a soldering iron for XLR if not using solderless). Strip the cable carefully without nicking the inner conductors or shield. For network cable, maintain pair twist as close to the connector as possible (untwisting reduces performance at higher speeds). Test every terminated cable with the appropriate tester before declaring it complete. Field termination is a skill that improves with practice; train newer installers on practice cable before letting them work on the install.
Permanent commercial AV installations (every cable cut to length and terminated at each end), broadcast and live sound rooms (cabling cut to fit the rack and runs to the stage), rental and staging (cable assemblies built and rebuilt for each event), field service and repair (replacing damaged connectors instead of pulling out cable), custom installations where standard pre-made lengths do not fit, security and CCTV (BNC and RJ45 termination at cameras, DVRs, and patch panels), and any environment where consistent, professional termination quality is critical for system reliability.
On order over $300 and more for US and US territory
We Offer a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Full manufacturer's warranty and quality assurance
Safe checkout with trusted payment providers