Yes, using a metal, shielded connector increases the risk of damaging the Ethernet port on the motherboard.
Yes, using a metal, shielded connector increases the risk of damaging the Ethernet port on the motherboard.
So i bought this patch cord that is shielded and has all the extras, because it was a good deal, i was pretty happy with myself, and then i read online some guy saying that he would never buy a cable like that because there is a greater chance of damaging either the router or the port on the motherboard if its accidentally yanked and that killed my mood.Is there truth to this?I am a pretty clumsy, unorganized person and i may do just that, plus people are around my pc sometimes(family) and i cant control their actions. So is there a greater risk of the ethernet port on my mb or router getting damaged due to the metal rj45 connectors vs if they were just plastic ones? Thanks a lot!
They are secured tightly, which makes them stronger since they’re usually crimped directly onto the cables too. It’s possible they could pull the whole setup off the stand at that moment. The RJ45 connectors can be a bit wider sometimes, allowing a snug fit in certain ports—strong enough force might damage them. Just avoid placing cables in areas where they’re easy to knock over, whether shielded or not. I keep them up on the base boards using twist ties and tacks to prevent obstruction. If you’re really concerned, consider using a USB to Ethernet adapter; the USB should pop out if it gets pulled.
I would measure it clearly. It seems the shielded connectors aren't much more hazardous than standard ones. The metal components likely secure the connector in the jack, not the plastic. Consider how often you tug on an Ethernet cable—such incidents are rare.
It's pretty rare, honestly. Most people don’t do it on purpose, and even less so by accident. The risk of damage isn’t much higher than with regular plastic cables. What really matters is the plastic tab at the top, not the metal part. It seems like the source was trying to sound more authoritative.
Weather your path crossed with a shielded or unshielded cable, the odds of damaging the Ethernet port are nearly the same. If the weakest part is the plastic clip holding the connector, whether metal shielding is attached or not, the cable won’t snap like a string—it will pull on the entire assembly on the motherboard. Damage will occur no matter how hard you try. Be mindful when routing your cable. Stay along the wall edge or pin it to the ceiling if permitted. Avoid crossing floors. Consider placing a throw rug over it if needed.
Ethernet ports fail mainly due to plastic retaining clips breaking under pressure on connectors. Applying force reveals that with metal retaining clips, the socket is protected since they deform elastically and release before reaching the plastic's yield point. This behavior contrasts with plastic tabs that fail more easily.