1 Gang Cat 5 & 6 Ethernet Socket - Carbon Fibre

Wired networking still holds its own against wireless, and this single gang data socket gives you a neat place to plug in. The module takes Cat 5 and Cat 6 network leads, so it suits older cabling as well as newer runs. The front plate is screwless, with nothing showing across the face, and the carbon fibre finish is textured rather than printed, giving a dark, faintly woven look that reads as proper kit rather than a blank white square.

We would fit one in a study or home office, where a desktop, a printer or a docked laptop wants a connection that does not wander. It earns its place behind a television too, feeding a set top box, a games console or a streaming player from a wired line instead of a crowded wireless one. It handles data only, so it lives happily beside your existing sockets and television point rather than taking the place of either. Anyone cabling a house room by room will find it does the quiet work well.

Polycarbonate makes up the plate, with metal where the connection is made, and the whole thing is light in the hand without feeling flimsy. The texture is good at hiding fingerprints; when it does need attention, a dry cloth over the face is usually enough, and anything damp should be wrung out well and kept away from the aperture. It belongs in dry indoor rooms and on low voltage data circuits, nothing more. It carries a ten year warranty. The dark face groups neatly with graphite and black fittings, and we like it against a dark desk or a media wall where a white plate would jump out.

Will it work with Cat 6 cable, or only Cat 5?

Both. The socket is rated for Cat 5, Cat 5e and Cat 6 data cabling, so it copes with existing runs and with newer ones.

How big is the front plate?

It is a square plate, 88mm by 88mm, in the standard single gang format, and it stands only a few millimetres off the wall face.

What is the finish actually like to touch?

It has a fine textured surface in carbon fibre effect, so the dark face feels slightly grained rather than glossy and does not show marks as readily as a smooth plate.

How should I clean it?

Dust it with a dry, soft cloth. For anything more stubborn, use a barely damp cloth and dry it straight away. Avoid solvents, polish and abrasive creams, which will dull the texture.

How many sockets come in the pack?

One. Each pack contains a single data socket, weighing around 0.065kg, supplied in a labelled bag.

Can I use it for a phone line or a television aerial?

No. This one is intended for data circuits only, so keep coaxial and aerial connections on their own dedicated sockets.