Physical cabling is one of the most important factor on transmission health. Ethernet Cable has to be prepared carefully and error-free. Most of the time, it has been experienced that the faulty cable can be able to make communication slower and there was some million-dollar level financial loss happened and also finding problem may be gets hours or days long. So, how to make ethernet cable properly.
Nowadays, although ready-made, fabricated patch cables are used, it is expected that a good network specialist will know how to prepare the Ethernet cable and have to ability to prepare Ethernet cable on its own.
Requirements
The requirements for preparing patch cable is below;
1. First of all of course Ethernet Cable
Currently, usually Cat5E or Cat6 Ethernet cables are using for Ethernet Cabling today. We do not recommend using Cat5 cabling, which is now obsolete and capable of operating up to 100mb.
2. RJ45 Connector
It is important that our connector is of good quality and proper to Cat5E or Cat6 standard.
3. Stripping Tool or Modelling Knife
It is used to cut the plastic part to open from the end of the cable. In particular, the Cable Stripping device can be used. If you have not, you can use sharp knife, modelling knife or sharp part of the crimping tool cab be used for this purpose.
4. Cutting Tool or Side Cutter (also scissor can be use)
We will use it to shorten and straighten the cable end.
5. Crimping Tool
This tool is special for making Ethernet cable, no any other tool can be used this purpose.
6. Test Device
The test tool is used to check whether all ends of the cable are functional and whether the cable is properly working or not. You can make test with your computer, if you have no test tool.
Preparing Cable
Since we have prepared our tools, we are following the way to make cables;
1. Strip the Cable Ends
We make a cut from about 2,5 cm from both ends of the cable and peel off the PCV cable sheath that is located here.
2. Saperate the Pairs and Remove the Protector in the Middle
If you are using a Cat6 cable, we have a plastic cable organizer in the middle of the cables and we cut the nylon cable from the bottom. Cat5E cable does not have such a regulator.
3. Order the Pairs
Separate pairs from each other and order them according to color code.
1. Orange-White
2. Orange
3. Green-White
4. Blue
5. Blue-White
6. Green
7. Brown-White
8. Brown
If you are preparing cross cable, we need to order one side according to standard T568B and the other side according to T568A. In other words, the first side should prepare as above, the second end should be Orange-White at 3, Orange at 6, Green-White at 1 and Green at 2.
4. Shorten the Pairs
While keeping the cables together in the proper sequence, we cut the cable lengths so that they are about 1.2 cm long. To determine the length as an estimate, we can make a measurement with connector and cut it accordingly.
5. Insert Cables to the Connector
We steer the cables properly while you hold them, in while you need to slowly insert them into the RJ45 connector in the proper sequence. Please be careful, don’t lose the cable order when inserting cables. After insertion you have to ensure that cables are inserted with correct order.
6. Insert to the Crimping tool and Press
We hold the RJ45 connector and cable carefully and place it in the RJ45 connector tightening area of the crimping tool.
We tighten the crimping tool to ensure that the pins on the connector are jammed and the cable strand is bitten by them.
7. Check
We visually check that the pins and the connector is fully seated.
8. Do the Same for The Other End
We repeat the same process for the other end. If cross cable is to be made, we must remember that the other end must be screwed in accordance with T568A standard.
9. Test the Cable
We are testing the cable health with the tester.
If you have no tester, you can make a test with your computer. Plug the Ethernet cable’s one end to your computer and other end to switch or modem and make a ping test if you have any loss or not.
The cable is now ready for use. Never forget that the cable must be terminated very properly for smooth communication …