RJ-45 connectors are commonly used in telephone and network cables. Sometimes, these connectors are used to connect network circuits. The first RJ-45 connector was used primarily for telephone wires. Rapid advances in technology created the need for other sized connectors and RJ-45 cables were adapted to suit them. Currently, RJ-45 connectors are available in two different sizes, 1 for Cat 5 cable and 1 for Cat 6 cable. Users should make sure they are using the appropriate connector for their job. The easiest way to tell them apart is to compare them directly. Cat 6 connectors are larger than Cat 5 connectors. Following are guidelines for crimping RJ-45 connectors on cables.
Step
Step 1. Purchase an RJ-45 cable and connector
Most Ethernet cables are sold in rolls of various lengths. So you'll need to measure and cut the amount needed when you get home.
Step 2. Peel the outer skin of the cable end 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) long by cutting the outer skin of the cable using a cutter knife
Rotate the blade around the cable, and the cable skin will come off easily. There are 4 pairs of small wire turns, each of a different color or color combination.
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Orange with white stripes and full orange.
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Green with white stripes and full green.
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Blue striped white and full blue.
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White striped chocolate and full chocolate.
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Step 3. Bend each small pair of cables back to reveal the center of the cable
Step 4. Cut the center of the cable and discard it
Step 5. Straighten the small twist of the cable using the clamp
Hold the cable by the stripped base and use a clamp to straighten the small coils of wire one by one. The straighter your little wire, the easier your job will be.
Step 6. Arrange the small cables that have been unraveled, position them sequentially, from right to left, which will later be inserted into the RJ-45 connector:
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Orange with white stripes
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Orange
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Green with white stripes
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Blue
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Blue with white stripes
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Green
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White striped chocolate
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Chocolate
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Step 7. Trim the unraveled small cable flat to the appropriate length by placing the RJ-45 connector next to the cable
The outer cable sheath should fit inside the bottom of the RJ-45 connector. Small wires must be cut so that they are flush with the top of the RJ-45 connector.
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Cut the small wire a little at a time, checking several times to make sure it's the right length. It's better to cut a small cable that's unraveling a few times than having to start over because you cut too long.
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Step 8. Insert the small wires into the RJ-45 connector, making sure they stay in order and that each color goes into the appropriate channel
Make sure each cable reaches the top of the RJ-45 connector. If you don't check, you'll find the RJ-45 connector you just crimped is useless.
Step 9. Use the crimping tool to crimp the RJ-45 connector on the cable by pressing the sheath and cable into the connector so that the clamp at the bottom of the connector presses against the cable sheath
Re-crimp the cable one more time to make sure the connection is correct.
Step 10. Follow the guide above to crimp the RJ-45 connector on the other end of the cable
