1 Gang Cat 5 & 6 Ethernet Socket - Dark Brown

Data cabling deserves a proper end point, and this one keeps things quiet. The dark brown moulded plate sits flat against the wall with no screw heads on show, and it carries a single RJ45 port for a wired network link. It takes Cat 5 and Cat 6 cable, so it will finish an existing run or a new one pulled through during a refurbishment. The brown is a deep, warm shade rather than a near black, and the plate is compact enough to sit unnoticed beside a desk or a television point.

We would put one in wherever a connection has to be dependable rather than merely handy: a home office, a study, the wall behind a television or a games console, or a landing where a wireless access point is being fed. A wired link holds steady when the whole house is online at once, which matters for video calls, backups and anything streamed in the evening. It suits rooms with warm timber, dark joinery or painted panelling, where a white plate tends to jump forward, and it is one we reach for in period houses being rewired sympathetically.

The plate is moulded in polycarbonate, a tough plastic that holds its colour and will not corrode, and the screwless face leaves a clean edge with nothing for dust to gather behind. Wipe it occasionally with a barely damp cloth and dry it straight off; keep kitchen sprays and solvent cleaners well away, as they can dull the moulded surface. This is a low voltage fitting for indoor data circuits only, so treat it as part of the network rather than the power system. It carries a ten year warranty. Run it alongside other dark brown plates on the same wall and the whole line reads as one considered piece of hardware.

What size is the plate?

It is a square plate measuring 88mm by 88mm, with a depth of 35mm behind the face, so it keeps to the same footprint as a standard single plate.

Will it work with Cat 6 cable?

Yes. The socket accepts both Cat 5 and Cat 6 network cable, so it is suitable for gigabit home networks as well as older runs.

Can I plug an appliance into it?

No. This is a data socket on a low voltage data circuit, not a socket, so it takes a network patch lead only.

What does screwless mean here?

The visible face has no screw heads across it, giving an unbroken dark brown front rather than the two fixing screws seen on standard plates.

How should I clean it?

A dry or barely damp cloth is all it needs. Avoid abrasive pads, bleach and solvent based cleaners, which can mark the plastic.

Is it suitable for a garage or outbuilding?

It is rated for indoor use in dry rooms, so a heated office or bedroom is ideal rather than a damp or unheated space.