How to Choose the Right Ethernet Coax Wall Plate: A SKU-by-SKU Guide
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Picking the right wall plate bundle saves time on the jobsite and avoids return trips for the wrong part. Here's a straight breakdown of when to grab which RJ-EC bundle.
Quick decision tree
- Mixing setups across one job? → RJ-EC-00 (modular, any combination)
- High-speed runs, clean install, no interference concerns? → RJ-EC-01 (Cat6A Blue Keystone)
- EMI environment — server rooms, industrial, near electrical? → RJ-EC-02 (Cat6A Shielded Keystone)
- Extending an existing Cat6A run through the wall? → RJ-EC-03 (Cat6A Shielded Coupler)
- Residential or office, standard speeds? → RJ-EC-04 (Cat6 Blue Keystone)
- Cat6 pass-through with shielding? → RJ-EC-05 (Cat6 Shielded Coupler)
- Budget-friendly Cat6 coupler for standard jobs? → RJ-EC-06 (Cat6 Black Coupler)
Keystone Jack vs Coupler — what's the difference?
This is the first decision most contractors face.
Keystone Jack = punch-down style. You terminate the cable directly into the jack. Best for new runs where you're starting fresh.
Coupler = female-to-female pass-through. You plug an existing cable into the back, plug another into the front. Best for extending or transitioning existing cables through walls.
Most jobs want jacks for permanent installs and couplers when you're working with already-terminated runs.
Cat6 or Cat6A — which one?
Cat6 handles 1 Gbps comfortably and 10 Gbps over short runs (under ~165 feet). Fine for most residential and small office installs.
Cat6A is the safer long-term choice — 10 Gbps over the full 100 meters, better crosstalk performance, future-proof for AI/data-heavy applications. Costs a bit more but pays off when the next upgrade comes.
Our Cat5e vs Cat6 vs Cat6A blog post goes deeper if you want the full breakdown.
When to use shielded (STP) over unshielded (UTP)
Shielding adds a metal foil around the keystone to block electromagnetic interference. You need it when:
- The cable runs near fluorescent lights, motors, or HVAC equipment
- You're in an industrial environment
- The install is inside a server room or data closet
- You're running parallel to electrical conduits
For typical residential or office installs, unshielded (UTP) is fine and cheaper. Don't pay for shielding you don't need.
The 7 RJ-EC bundles at a glance
| SKU | Jack/Coupler | Category | Shielded | Color | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RJ-EC-00 | Modular (any combo) | Cat6/6A | Optional | Mixed | General purpose, mixed jobs |
| RJ-EC-01 | Keystone Jack | Cat6A | No | Blue | High-speed clean installs |
| RJ-EC-02 | Keystone Jack | Cat6A | Yes (STP) | — | EMI environments, industrial |
| RJ-EC-03 | Coupler | Cat6A | Yes (STP) | — | Extending Cat6A cables |
| RJ-EC-04 | Keystone Jack | Cat6 | No | Blue | Residential, standard runs |
| RJ-EC-05 | Coupler | Cat6 | Yes (STP) | — | Cat6 shielded pass-through |
| RJ-EC-06 | Coupler | Cat6 | No | Black | Budget-friendly standard coupler |
Every bundle includes the coax F-type connector
Every single SKU in this lineup is a 2-port wall plate with one keystone jack/coupler and one coax F-type connector — for cable TV, internet, antenna, or satellite. That means one plate handles both your ethernet and coax in the same gang box.
Bulk pricing for contractors
All bundles ship at $10 for 2 plates, $20 for 5, $50 for 20. Larger orders? Email us for case pack pricing — we ship from Long Island City and we've been making these for 40+ years. Every bundle is TIA certified and UL listed.
Still not sure?
Grab RJ-EC-00 — it's the modular option that lets you pick any combination of jacks and couplers per piece. Perfect when you don't know exactly what you'll need until you're on-site.
