Purchasing Ethernet
cables can
be quite expensive and pre-made lengths
are not always the length you need. Making Ethernet cables is easy
with a box of bulk Category 5e Ethernet cable and
RJ-45 connectors that are attached to the
cut ends of your preferred cable length.
Bulk Ethernet Cable - Category 5e or CAT5e
(You may also use Category 6 or CAT6
cabling which has higher performance specifications and is about 20%
more expensive than CAT5e.)
Bulk RJ45 Crimpable Connectors for CAT-5e
or
Bulk RJ45 Crimpable Connectors for CAT-6
RJ-45
Crimping tool
There
are two kinds of Ethernet cables you can
make, Straight Through and Crossover.
STRAIGHT THROUGH
Ethernet cables are the standard cable used for almost all purposes,
and are often called "patch cables". It is highly recommend
you duplicate
the color order as shown on the left. Note
how the green
pair is not side-by-side as are all the
other pairs. This
configuration allows for longer wire runs.
CROSSOVER CABLES
- The purpose of a Crossover Ethernet cable is to directly connect one
computer to another computer (or device) without going through a
router, switch or hub.
Here's how to make a standard cable:
Cut into the plastic sheath about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the end of the cut cable. The crimping tool has
a razor blade that will do the
trick with practice.
Unwind and pair the similar colors.
Pinch the wires between your fingers and straighten them out as shown.
The color order is important to get correct.
Use scissors to make a straight cut
across the 8 wires to shorten them to 1/2 Inch (1.3 cm) from the cut sleeve to the end of the wires.
Carefully push all 8 unstripped colored wires into the connector. Note the position of
the blue plastic sleeve. Also note how the wires go all
the way to the end.
A view from the top. All the wires are all the way in.
There are no short wires.
WRONG WAY
- Note how the blue plastic sleeve is not
inside the connector where it can be
locked into place. The wires are too long. The wires should extend only
1/2 inch from the blue cut sleeve.
WRONG WAY - Note how the wires do not go all the way to
the end of the connector.
CRIMPING
THE CABLE ... carefully place the connector
into the Ethernet Crimper and cinch down
on the handles
tightly. The copper
splicing
tabs on the connector will
pierce into each of the eight wires. There
is also a locking tab that holds the blue plastic sleeve in place for a
tight compression fit. When you remove
the cable from the crimper, that end is
ready to use.
For
a standard "Straight Through" cable, repeat all steps and wire color
order on the other end of cable. For a cross-over cable, the other end
will have a different color order as shown by the crossover picture
above.
Make sure to test the cables before installing them. An inexpensive Ethernet cable tester does this quite well.
NOTE - The maximum cable length of CAT-5, CAT-5e or CAT-6 Ethernet cable is 328 feet
or 100 meters.
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