How to Use a Telephone Wire Punch Down Tool
You can use a punch-down tool to terminate telephone and computer wiring into terminal blocks or jacks. These tools use a spring action to push the wire into the terminals. Depending on which blade you have positioned in the tool, it will also cut the end of the wire cleanly. When you punch the tool firmly into the block, it delivers a calibrated impact that seats the wire into the terminals with consistent accuracy. You can usually adjust the impact force on a punch-down tool as well as change heads for particular types of terminal blocks or jacks.
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Things You'll Need
- Wiring block or terminal jack
- Telephone or network wiring
- Punch-down tool
- Safety glasses
Instructions
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1
Determine what style of wiring block or terminal jack you have. Wiring blocks will be either 66- or 110-type. RJ11 and RJ45 terminal jacks require a 110-type tool.
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2
Choose which head of the punch down tool you will need. Heads will either be designed for 66-type or 100-type terminals. In addition, one side of the head will terminate and cut the wire; the other will terminate only. The head of the tool can be pulled out, turned over and snapped back into place to switch between cutting and non-cutting sides.
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3
Place the wire across terminal in the proper location, matching the color of wire to the color coding on the block or jack. The wire should already be stripped and untwisted.
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4
Punch the end of the wire into the terminal. Place the punch-down tool on the wire to be terminated, perpendicular to the wiring block or jack. With one swift motion, punch the tool toward the wire with firm force until you hear and feel the tool's spring-loaded blade deploy.
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5
Inspect your work and pull gently on the wire to make sure it is properly and firmly seated in the terminal.
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Tips & Warnings
You can buy punch-down tools on line or from home improvement centers. The prices range from about $40 dollars to $90 for a reliable one with replaceable steel blades. Plastic ones that wear out after a few punches cost around $10 but are not worth the money unless you only have a very small number of connections to punch.
Always wear safety glasses when punching down wiring because small bits of stripped wire can fly out.
