foxCAT5e is a tough, lightweight and highly flexible shielded Cat5e EtherCON to RJ45 network cable, designed for professional audio, broadcast and touring applications where reliability and durability are essential.

The cable supports Cat5e Gigabit Ethernet performance up to 100 m, and can achieve data rates up to 5 Gbps over shorter runs up to 35 m depending on installation conditions.

The outer jacket is made from a Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) which provides excellent flexibility and durability while remaining easy to coil and handle. This makes foxCAT5e particularly well suited to touring systems, stage networks, broadcast rigs and mobile AV installations.

TPE vs PVC Cable Jackets

foxCAT5e uses a high-performance TPE jacket, offering several advantages over traditional PVC network cables:

• Remains highly flexible even at low temperatures

• More abrasion resistant than PVC

• Resistant to scuffing, cuts and repeated bending

• Improved oil and chemical resistance

• UV-stable jacket for longer outdoor life

• Halogen-free material, producing lower toxic smoke in the event of a fire

• More environmentally friendly and easier to recycle

These properties make TPE ideal for touring, stage, broadcast and industrial networking applications.

Why EtherCON Connectors?

EtherCON connectors convert a fragile RJ45 office-style Ethernet connector into a rugged, lockable touring connector suitable for demanding professional environments.

The metal EtherCON housing protects the RJ45 plug while providing a secure locking mechanism, preventing accidental disconnection during operation.

EtherCON connectors are widely used across professional audio, broadcast, lighting and AV networking systems where robust and reliable Ethernet connectivity is required.

Key advantages include:

• Locking connector system to prevent accidental unplugging

• Rugged metal housing for mechanical protection

• Improved strain relief and cable durability

• Reliable performance in touring and live production environments

The RJ45 connector on the opposite end allows the cable to connect directly to network switches, routers or equipment with standard Ethernet ports, making it ideal for interfacing professional EtherCON equipment with conventional network hardware.

Typical Applications

This shielded Cat5e EtherCON to RJ45 cable is commonly used for professional networking applications including:

• Digital audio consoles

• Audio stage boxes, including AES50 systems

• Networked audio systems such as Dante, AVB / Milan and AES67

• Digital snake systems

• Audio interfaces

• Media servers

• Ethernet-based microphone systems

• Ethernet switches and network hubs

• Broadcast and video production equipment

Typical use cases include:

• Dante audio networking cables

• AES50 digital stage box connections

• touring EtherCON network cables

• AES67 audio-over-IP networks

• Lighting control networks (Art-Net / sACN)

These cables are widely used in live sound systems, touring rigs, theatres, broadcast installations and professional AV networks.

AES50 compatible

Technical Specification

*See our Length vs Performance Guide for information on data transmission performance over different cable lengths.