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Step 1
Purchase a high quality crimping tool that fits RJ45 connectors. Also purchase more RJ45 connectors than you actually need, as inevitably some will have to be re-done.
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Step 2
Choose between CAT 5, CAT 5e, or CAT 6 cable. For almost any purpose other than the fastest and newest networks, CAT 5 will be fine.
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Step 3
Strip 1/2" to 3/4" of the outer shielding on the cable end, being sure not to cut the insulation of the stranded wires inside. A good quality crimping tool should make this easy, otherwise you can gently use a knife or wire cutters.
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Step 4
Untwist the twisted pair wires just enough to line them up properly, and no more. Once untwisted, do not re-twist the wires yourself. There is no need to strip the insulation from the individual wires.
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Step 5
Arrange the wires from left to right in this order: white with orange stripe, solid orange, white with green stripe, solid blue, white with blue stripe, solid green, white with brown stripe, solid brown.
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Step 6
Clip the ends of the wires such that they are all the same length.
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Step 7
Slide the wires into the RJ45 connector with the prong facing downward (away from you). Ensure the wires have lined up in the order you intended, and that they push all the way to the end of the plug.
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Step 8
Insert the plug in the crimping tool, and squeeze hard to crimp the plug.
Comments
HelpMeCableGuy said
on 12/31/2008 Yowser, also, you are correct that it's one of the lower end crimping tools, however they work well for small crimping jobs. I would definitely get a ratcheting crimp tool to save my hands if doing these types of cables often. Also, in my own comment I said "twist ration intact" I meant "twist-ratio" so my apologies for the typo! Good tutorial!
HelpMeCableGuy said
on 12/31/2008 MakeInstall - it's not a duh moment, while many people need to know the 568B pinout "color map", I run into many people daily at our website www.showmecables.com where they've never used a Ethernet or Phone crimping tool. It is a good tutorial, however, to be technical they mention it will work for Cat6 wiring. Cat6 it is more important to keep the twist ration intact, so the example in the video the wires are exposed outside the clear RJ45 connector... this is a no-no meaning it was over-stripped and not optimal for Category 6 cabling. For Cat5e or most in-home applications, it isn't a problem, but for a true Cat6 network strip back less than 1/2 inch and keep the untwisted part to a minimum.
yowser said
on 12/18/2007 I agree with makeinstall. The first thing it says it 'purchase a high quality crimping tool', but it shows the cheapest one available, and having used one, I can see why they say you need to buy more connectors than you need! I make lots of cables up, and I never have any problems when using a good crimper (unless I screw the wiring order up because someone gave me a cup of coffee half way through!) Also, the video doesn't show the actual insertion - probably because it took ages. The ends of the strands need to be straightened (by running them through your fingers) just above the last twist on each pair (keeping the twists equal on each pair) to allow them to be inserted. Then trim the ends leaving just enough straight ends to insert. And the reason why the cable should be inserted into the connector housing is because there's a strain clamp to help stop the cable being damaged.
NetBlaise said
on 10/16/2007 I have to say that this video was perfect. I'm a IT in the US Navy and i will be telling my subornates to vistit this howto site so that they can learn a thing or two.
mfn5005 said
on 9/22/2007 For a beginner this is great, now I can purchase the tools and necessary items with confidence.