How to Attach an Ethernet Wire to a Connector
Store-bought Ethernet cables are handy, but can get expensive if you need long lengths or a lot of them. They're also much harder to use if your cables need to be run through conduits or holes in walls. In many situations, it's just easier to make your own Ethernet cables using bulk cable and connectors. Attaching an Ethernet wire to a connector is a simple task, but it requires some precision.
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Things You'll Need
- Bulk Ethernet cable
- Scissors
- RJ45 crimpable Ethernet connectors
- Crimping tool
Instructions
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1
Decide whether you will make a straight-through cable or a crossover cable. Crossover cables are specialty cables that allow machines to communicate without needing a switch or hub. Straight-through cables are ordinary Ethernet cables.
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2
Slice away ½ to ¾ inch of your cable's plastic coating. Most crimpers come with a razor blade that is effective for this. Unwind the cable and pair the colors according to the type of cable you want to make (crossover or straight through).
The color coding for a modern straight-through Ethernet cable is orange-striped/orange, green-striped, blue/blue-striped, green, brown-striped/brown. For a crossover cable, you switch the locations of the green and orange set of wires, producing this pattern: green-striped/green, orange-striped, blue/blue-striped, orange, brown-striped/brown. Be sure to check your wiring diagram carefully as you set up these patterns.
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3
Push the wires into your RJ45 connector one at at time. The wires should go all the way to the end, with no short wires. Make sure you can push plastic cable coating into the connector, so it can be locked into place.
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4
Place the connector into the Ethernet crimper. Press down on the handles of the crimper firmly to press the copper tabs into each of the cables. The crimper will also press a tab down onto the plastic jacket, locking it in.
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5
Plug the cable into a computer and router. Test the connection to make sure the cable works. Your Ethernet cable is now ready for use.
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Tips & Warnings
Ethernet cable works only in lengths of 350 feet or less.
Don't confuse phone line connectors and RJ45 connectors.
Do not cut the insulation on the small wires.
