1 Gang Cat 5 & 6 Ethernet Socket - Matt Black

A single data point on a flat matt black plate, with the RJ45 module set in the middle and no screw heads on show. The square face matches a standard single plate, so it lines up with the switches and sockets already on that wall. The module takes Cat 5 and Cat 6 cabling, which covers the wiring used in most homes, and it gives a run a proper terminated end rather than a cable poking out from behind the skirting board.

Wired network still beats wireless for anything that needs to hold steady: a desk in a spare room, a television and games console in the corner of a sitting room, a hard wired access point on a landing. It is one we point people towards when cable has gone in during building work and the ends need making tidy, and we would choose two on opposite walls of a room used for work so a laptop can move without trailing a long lead. Matt black earns its keep against dark joinery, deeper greys and a black media unit, where a white plate would jump out.

Plate and cover are moulded polycarbonate, finished in an even matt black that shows fingerprints far less readily than a gloss surface. Keep it clean with a dry cloth, and if something sticky lands on it use a barely damp one and nothing stronger, as solvent cleaners will take the life out of the matt. This is for indoor rooms and low voltage data circuits only, never mains work, and it carries a ten year warranty. Because the appeal here is a plain unbroken face, it pays to keep the same screwless style running through a room, so the data points and the power points read as one set rather than a mix.

Does it support gigabit speeds?

The module is rated for Cat 5 and Cat 6 cabling, so paired with Cat 6 cable and gigabit network kit it will carry the speeds most home routers and switches deliver.

What size is the plate?

The face measures 88mm by 88mm, the standard single plate footprint, with a 35mm depth behind it.

Is one port enough for a television area?

One port suits a single device or a small switch. Where a television, a console and a set top box all sit together, we would run a compact network switch from this point or use two sockets side by side.

How do I keep the matt black looking right?

A dry microfibre cloth for dust, and a barely damp cloth for marks. Avoid kitchen sprays, alcohol wipes and any solvent cleaner, which will leave shiny patches on a matt finish.

Can it be used in a bathroom or outside?

No. It is rated IP20 and made for dry indoor rooms only.

Is there a warranty?

It carries a ten year warranty.