How to Connect a Shielded Wire to a Connector
Shielded cables help increase the performance and reliability of RS232 serial communications by protecting data that cross the wire with a metal covering or mesh that prevents radio frequency interference from disrupting data flow. If one connector on an RS232 shielded serial cable detaches due to cable damage, reconnecting only the wires to the connector will enable data flow that is unreliable because the cable shield is not attached to the connector at both ends of the cable. You need to solder a detached DB25 connector onto the RS232 shielded cable and reattach the shield to ensure reliable performance.
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Things You'll Need
- Data cable with an attached DB25 connector
- Replacement DB25 connector with cover (same gender as the detached connector)
- 3-inch jumper wires (5)
- Flat head screwdriver
- Soldering iron and solder
- Wire strippers
Instructions
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1
Use a flat head screwdriver to remove the screws from the cover of the DB25 connector attached to the data cable then remove the cover from the DB25 connector. Note the numbers in small writing next to each pin at the back of the DB25 connector. Note the color of each wire and the pin to which the wire is attached.
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2
Cut off 2 inches of the protective jacket from the data cable end that does not have a connector with wire strippers. Then strip 1/2-inch of the protective jacket from the end of each wire protruding from the data cable.
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3
Place each wire protruding from the end of the data cable onto a pin on the back of the replacement DB25 connector according to the pin assignments below. Solder each wire to its respective pin.
DB25 pin 3 to replacement DB25 pin 2
DB25 pin 2 to replacement DB25 pin 3
DB25 pin 20 to replacement DB25 pin 5
DB25 pin 7 to replacement DB25 pin 7
Place one of the jumper wires on the replacement DB25 connector so that one end of the wire touches the connector shell and the other end of the wire touches the cable shield. Solder the wire ends to the shield and the connector shell.
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4
Solder a jumper wire to pin 4 and pin 5 on the back of the replacement DB25 connector so that the wire bridges pins 4 and 5. Solder a jumper wire to pins 6 and 8 on the back of the replacement DB25 connector so that the wire bridges pins 6 and 8.
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5
Position the replacement connector cover onto the replacement DB25 connector. Snap the cover onto the connector. Insert and tighten the screws to secure the cover onto the connector.
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References
- Photo Credit computer cable image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
