Aba Industry, Inc.

A patch cord (sometimes called a patch
cable) is a length of cable with connectors on
the ends that is used to connect an end
device to something else, such as a power
source. One of the most common uses is
connecting a laptop, desktop or other end
device to a wall outlet.
Typically, a patch cord is a copper cable that
has an RJ45, TERA or GG45 connector on
both ends, although hybrid versions exist that
have different types of connectors on the
ends. Fiber patch cords are typically called
fiber jumpers and are either standard
jumpers or mode conditioning jumpers.

A patch cord may also be used to connect a
switch port or a server to the structured
cabling system. Although the new standards
do not recommend doing so, sometimes a
patch cord is used to connect a server directly
to a switch port.

When cabling channel is tested, it is a called
channel test if patch cords are included, but a
permanent link test otherwise. Special
connectors are required to test patch cords,
which should not be tested using other test
methods.