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Upgrading your home's wiring and power gear can feel like a small renovation that delivers big returns. Whether you want faster internet in the office, cleaner power for your home theater, or neat phone and data jacks for every room, knowing what to buy and where to buy it matters. This guide walks you through types of jacks, essential power supplies, smart shopping tips, and the best US stores to source quality gear without breaking the bank.
Think of your home's wiring as the hidden plumbing of the digital age: if it's old or undersized, everything downstream suffers. Swapping out worn phone jacks or installing proper data jacks can reduce signal loss, improve speeds, and make future upgrades easier. It also helps keep cables tidy and professional-looking, so you avoid a spaghetti mess behind your entertainment center.
Upgrading to Cat5e or Cat6 keystone jacks and properly rated wall plates pays off in speed and reliability. Cat6 supports higher frequencies and longer distances for gigabit networking and better headroom for future standards. Think in terms of feet when planning runs — a 100-foot cable has different performance characteristics than a 10-foot patch.
Before you shop, get familiar with the common jack types so you know what to ask for and what to avoid. The right jack depends on whether you’re wiring for voice, Ethernet, or a mix of services.
RJ11 jacks are still used for traditional landlines, DSL, and some alarm systems. They’re small, cheap, and useful if you keep a landline or certain older devices. For most modern homes, RJ11 gets replaced or supplemented by data jacks for VoIP phones.
RJ45 keystone jacks are what you want for Ethernet. Choose Cat5e for basic gigabit needs, Cat6 for better performance and headroom, and Cat6a if you plan on running 10-gig links over copper at the longest distances. Lengths are important: aim to keep individual cable runs under 325 feet for copper Ethernet to avoid signal degradation.
Keystone jacks snap into modular wall plates, making upgrades painless. You can mix phone, data, and coax ports on the same faceplate for a tidy, professional finish. Look for gold-plated contacts for longevity and minimal corrosion, especially in humid regions.
Power and data go hand-in-hand. A good electrical backbone and surge protection preserve equipment and keep your home network running when it matters most.
A UPS provides backup battery power and clean voltage to routers, modems, switches, and your main computer during outages. For a typical home office or network closet, a UPS rated between 500 and 1500 VA often provides ample runtime — think in minutes, not hours — enough to save work and shut down safely.
Not all surge protectors are created equal. Choose units with joule ratings that match the value of the gear you’re protecting. A surge protector with a higher joule rating absorbs more energy from spikes. For AV setups, look for units that protect coax and network lines in addition to AC outlets.
Many cameras, access points, and IoT devices use external DC power supplies. Match voltage and polarity exactly — a wrong adapter can fry a device. Consider Power over Ethernet (PoE) adapters or switches as an elegant way to supply both data and power over the same cable, cutting down on clutter.
Where you buy can impact price, selection, and the ability to get professional-grade parts. Here are reliable US retailers and distributors that carry everything from basic keystone jacks to industrial UPS systems.
The Home Depot has broad selection for homeowners, including Cat5e and Cat6 jacks, wall plates, cable, and consumer UPS units. It’s a good spot to pick up screwdrivers, drywall anchors, and faceplates along with the jacks. Prices are competitive and they often carry trusted brands for DIY-friendly installs.
Lowe’s mirrors much of what you’ll find at big-box home stores: network jacks, patch panels, cable, and power protection products. Their displays make it easy to compare brands and specs, and they stock mid-tier and value options for projects on a budget.
Ace tends to be more neighborhood-focused and is excellent for last-minute or small-quantity buys like a single keystone jack, a wall plate, or a short run of cable. If convenience and speed matter, Ace often beats a long trip to a larger store.
Best Buy is a solid option for consumer networking gear and power accessories tied to entertainment setups. You’ll find Wi‑Fi routers, network extenders, surge-protected power centers, and often staff who understand home theater needs and how jacks fit into the system.
Grainger targets contractors and pros, so expect industrial-grade choices: high-quality keystone jacks, commercial rack equipment, and robust UPS units. If you need gear built to last in a heavier-use environment, Grainger is worth checking out.
These are trade distributors that supply electricians and integrators. They carry a deep inventory of professional cabling, premium connectors, and structured cabling components. Prices are geared toward pros, but if you’re tackling a serious project, these stores deliver professional-grade reliability.
Amazon offers huge selection and fast shipping, especially handy for hard-to-find or bargain items. Read reviews and watch out for counterfeit or low-quality listings. For cable and jacks, choose listings with plenty of verified reviews and clear specifications such as category (Cat6), shielding (U/UTP or STP), and length in feet.
These office suppliers carry networking basics — patch cables, keystone jacks, small UPS units, and power strips — aimed at small businesses and home offices. They’re convenient for those setting up an office quickly and wanting business-grade warranties on some products.
Menards offers home improvement products similar to other big-box stores, often with competitive pricing on cables and jacks. Their selection varies by location, so check online inventory if you’re hunting for specific Cat6 termination kits or higher-end UPS models.
Comparing jacks and power accessories is less fun than installing them, but a little attention up front saves time and money later. Focus on ratings, compatibility, and build quality.
Look for cables and jacks that clearly state Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a. Certification can be important for business networks; spec sheets that list compliance with TIA/EIA standards or ETL/UL listings are reassuring. For home runs, plan wire runs in feet and pick cables that balance price and performance for the length you need.
For runs near electrical wiring or motors, choose shielded cable (STP) to minimize interference. For outdoor or attic runs, pick cable with outdoor-rated jackets or conduit-ready options. Always think in terms of exposure and distance — a 50-foot run outside needs different protection than a 10-foot indoor patch.
When shopping UPS units, check the VA rating and estimated runtime at a given load. Manufacturers usually list how many minutes a unit will run at certain wattages; use those numbers to match your router, switch, and modem needs. For a small network closet, a 750 VA UPS may give 5–20 minutes depending on load, enough to bridge short outages.
Having the right tools makes a neat, reliable install. You don’t need a full pro kit, but some basics are essential.
Punch-down tools are the go-to for keystone and patch panel terminations, and they cost a fraction of what a pro-grade kit costs. If you buy pre-terminated patch cables in feet, you can avoid crimping entirely for many runs.
Cable testers save you headaches by quickly identifying break points, miswires, and split pairs. For larger homes, a toner helps trace runs behind walls when labels go missing. Testers are measured in terms of simplicity and diagnostic depth — choose one that matches your ambitions.
Cable ties, raceways, and Velcro straps keep things tidy and improve airflow if your gear is in a closet or rack. For wall runs, use fish tape or a flexible rod measured in feet to estimate how much cable you’ll need before buying.
DIY is rewarding, but a few practical tips keep your project from becoming a weekend regret.
Measure cable runs in feet before ordering. Add a foot or two for slack and routing around joists. Label both ends of every cable with the room name or port number to avoid a guessing game later.
Ethernet cables hate tight bends. Maintain gentle curves and avoid kinking when pulling cables through walls or conduit. The bend radius is typically a few times the cable diameter — in practical terms, don’t fold cable sharply around a 1-inch corner.
Always test each run with a cable tester before installing drywall or making permanent finishes. It’s far easier to fix a bad termination while you can still access both ends.
Some jobs are perfect for DIY, others call for a pro. If your network or power needs are critical or if local code and permits come into play, hiring a licensed electrician or integrator is the smart move.
Electrical work can require permits and must follow local code to ensure safety. If you’re upgrading service panels, adding new circuits, or running high-voltage wiring, a licensed electrician will ensure everything is up to code and sized correctly in amperage and breaker selection.
For whole-home structured cabling, multiple access points, PoE cameras, or centralized networking racks, a pro brings design experience that minimizes interference, optimizes speeds, and avoids costly mistakes. Think of them as the architects of your home’s digital plumbing.
Modern homes are getting smarter and more consolidated. Emerging trends affect which jacks and power supplies you should buy today for tomorrow’s tech.
PoE lets devices like cameras, access points, and doorbells draw power over the same Cat5e/Cat6 cable that carries data. This simplifies installs and reduces the need for separate power runs. If you plan PoE devices, buy good Cat6 cable and consider PoE-capable switches or injectors in your shopping list.
Wi‑Fi keeps improving, but wired Ethernet still beats wireless for consistent speed and low latency. For gaming rooms, home offices, or streaming centers, wired connections measured in feet are worth the extra effort. In many homes, the best approach is a hybrid: wired backbone in feet to central points, with wireless access points for local coverage.
Costs vary widely depending on materials and whether you DIY or hire professionals. A simple two-jack update can be done cheaply, while a whole-home Ethernet overhaul adds up with cable, panels, and rack gear.
Break your project down into parts: cable per foot, keystone jacks per port, wall plates, patch panel, and power protection. For cable, plan in 50‑ to 100-foot increments for typical home runs, and always add slack. Compare mid-tier and pro-grade options at different stores to see where the best value lies.
Before you click “buy,” run through a quick checklist to avoid surprises: cable category, jack type, shielding, length in feet, power needs (VA for UPS), and any PoE requirements. Make sure you have the right tools and enough slack to make tidy, reliable terminations.
Buy slightly more cable than your measured feet to allow for routing and mistakes, and pick jacks and plates that match your décor and mounting boxes. Small investments in the right gear today make upgrades painless and future-proof your home network for years to come.
Upgrading phone and data jacks and choosing the right power supplies don’t have to be intimidating. With the right plan, tools, and trusted retailers, you can build a dependable, tidy network that keeps your devices running fast and safe. Start by measuring runs in feet, pick the proper cable category, consider PoE for simplicity, and invest in a UPS to protect your gear. Your future self will thank you when everything just works.
