How to Assemble Ethernet Connectors
Assembling Ethernet connectors is the process of making the proper wiring connections to the correctly labeled pins. Connectors consist of a male plug and a female jack that allow you to connect the Cat5 (Category 5) cables together and to your various networking devices. Each connector must be wired in the correct pattern or the network devices will not be able to communicate with each other.
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Things You'll Need
- 1 roll cat5 ethernet cable, 10 feet
- Wire cutters/strippers
- 1 male ethernet plug
- Cat5 Crimping tool
- 1 female ether jack
- 1 ethernet push pin tool
- Electronic Cat5 cable tester
Instructions
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1
Strip two inches of the outer sheathing off one end of the cable. Untwist and separate the eight twisted wires. Straighten each of the wires. Hold all the wires together between your index finger and thumb so that are side by side. Cut 1/4 inch off all the wires simultaneously so each is exactly the same length.
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2
Look at the the color wiring diagram that was included with the male plug. See the resource link for the standard wiring diagram for a Cat5 male plug. Arrange the wires side by side and match the color diagram from left to right. Push the wires into the back end of the male jack, so that all the wires enter at the same time. Push them in as far as the jack will allow. Insert the jack into the crimping tool, and squeeze the handles together. The crimping tool will press metal pins into each wire to form a connection.
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3
Repeat step one to the other end of the cable.
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4
Line up each wire with the appropriate color labeled pins on the female jack. Use the push pin tool to press each wire down between the labeled pins. As the tool pushes the wire down, the tiny blades on each pin will cut through the insulation and make contact with the wire to form the connection. Cut away an excess wire, using the wire cutters.
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5
Attach the cable tester to both the plug and jack, following the directions for your particular model cable tester. Turn on the tester and verify the cable is wire correctly. If the tester indicates a problem, make sure each wire is connected to the proper pin on both the plug and jack. If the wiring is incorrect, remove the plug and/or jack and repeat the steps above until the cable is correctly wired and tested.
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Tips & Warnings
Use caution when using the cutters as the blades are very sharp and can cause injury.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit network connection image by sumos from Fotolia.com
