You can connect an RJ-45 connector to a network cable quickly and easily either by using a crimping tool or by using a standard flat-blade screwdriver. If you have a crimping tool, you will need to free the network cable wires from the outer protective sheath, untangle the skein, order them in the correct sequence, insert them into the RJ-45 connector, and use the crimping tool to clamp the wires onto the corresponding metal terminals and secure the connector to the cable. If you don't have a crimping tool, that's no problem. In this case you will have to use scissors or a cutter to remove the final portion of the outer sheath of the network cable and expose the wires inside, then you will have to untangle them to be able to align them in the correct order, insert them inside the RJ-45 connector and use a small flat screwdriver to press on each individual metal contact of the connector.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use Crimping Pliers
Step 1. Remove a portion of the protective sheath about 2.5 cm long from the end of the network cable
Insert the network cable into the opening of the clamp, then close it firmly. At this point, rotate the pliers along the entire circumference of the network cable with a smooth motion, to create a clean and precise cut. Without opening the pliers, slide the cable out so that the final piece of the sheath is removed.
- The part of the pliers to be used for stripping the network cable is positioned near the handle.
- The external protective sheath of the network cable should come off without resistance, leaving the eight wires inside exposed.
Step 2. Unravel the skein of threads and stretch them one by one so that they are perfectly straight
Inside the network cable there are eight small strands intertwined with each other. Separate them one by one and gently straighten them so that it is much easier to order them in the correct sequence.
- Eliminate the small plastic cable that is used to give body and texture to the braid of the eight wires. Cut it out and remove it, as it doesn't serve our end purpose.
- Do not cut or shorten any of the eight wires, otherwise you will not be able to fit the RJ-45 connector correctly.
Step 3. Sort the threads in the correct sequence
Use the fingers of your dominant hand to order the individual wires in the correct sequence, so you can plug them into the RJ-45 connector. The sequence of a normal Ethernet network cable is as follows (from left to right): orange / white, orange, green / white, blue, blue / white, green, brown / white and brown.
- An Ethernet network cable consists of eight wires which will need to be ordered in the correct sequence.
- Note that "orange / white" or "brown / white" refers to wires that are characterized by two colors.
Step 4. Cut the wires so that they are the same length starting from the point where the protective sheath of the network cable ends
Remove the final portion of all the strands so that they are about 1 cm long. Grasp the threads between the thumb and forefinger of the non-dominant hand so that you can hold them firmly in the correct final order. At this point, use the section of the crimping tool that serves to cut and eliminate the excess part of the wires.
- The part of the crimping tool that is used to cut the cables is similar to a wire cutter.
- The wires of the network cable must be severed so that they are all the same length and can be inserted correctly into the RJ-45 connector. If you find that the wires are of different lengths, it is best to remove the end of the network cable and start from scratch.
Advise:
If your crimping tool does not have a section for cutting cables, you can use wire cutters or a pair of electrician's scissors to perform this delicate step.
Step 5. Insert the eight wires into the RJ-45 connector
Hold the connector so that the small plastic lever, which is used to release it from the network port, is facing down and the row of metal contacts is facing up. Insert the network cable into the connector so that each individual wire fits into the small groove of the corresponding contact.
- The outer jacket of the network cable should be long enough to fit inside the RJ-45 connector base without leaving individual wires exposed.
- If any of the wires are bent or do not fit into the groove of the corresponding contact, pull the entire wire out of the connector, straighten and rearrange the wires with your fingers, then try again.
- The eight wires must be inserted into the connector in the correct order before they can be fastened and the connector closed with the crimping tool.
Step 6. Insert the connector into the correct opening of the crimping tool, then tightly close it twice
Insert the RJ-45 connector into the opening of the crimping tool and push it until it reaches the bottom. Close the pliers firmly to lock the wires in place and secure the connector to the network cable. At this point, open the clamp and close it a second time to be sure that all eight metal contacts have been locked on the corresponding wire.
The crimping tool will push the metal contacts of the RJ-45 connector into their respective grooves until it reaches the individual wires and locks them firmly in place
Step 7. Remove the cable from the crimping tool, then verify that all metal contacts have been closed properly
Pull the RJ-45 connector out of the clamp and examine the individual metal contacts to verify that they have all been pressed correctly and that they appear to the same level. Try to gently pull the RJ-45 connector to check that it is properly locked onto the network cable.
If any of the metal contacts of the RJ-45 connector are not crimped correctly, insert the connector back into the appropriate section of the pliers and try to close it firmly again
Method 2 of 2: Crimp an RJ-45 Connector without Crimping Pliers
Step 1. Remove a portion of the protective sheath about 2.5 cm long from the end of the network cable
Use a pair of regular or electrician's scissors to cut and remove an approximately 2.5 cm long portion of the outer sheath of the mains cable. Make sure you don't cut the protective sheath of the eight wires inside as well. When the blade of the scissors has severed the sheath, rotate the cable around its circumference to create a complete and clean cut. At this point, grab the portion of the sheath cut with your fingers and remove it from the rest of the cable.
The first incision of the sheath must not be too deep
Advise:
if you don't have a pair of scissors, you can use a utility knife to remove the protective sheath from the network cable. In this case, be very careful not to cut even the small wires inside the cable.
Step 2. Unravel the skein of threads and stretch them one by one so that they are perfectly straight
Inside the network cable there are eight small strands intertwined with each other. Separate them one by one and gently straighten them using your fingers, so that it is much easier to sort them in the correct sequence afterwards. If there is a plastic core inside the network cable or something that is meant to keep the individual wires separate, remove it with scissors.
Step 3. Sort the threads in the correct sequence
Use the fingers of your dominant hand to order the individual wires in the correct sequence, so you can plug them into the RJ-45 connector. The sequence of a normal Ethernet network cable is as follows (from left to right): orange / white, orange, green / white, blue, blue / white, green, brown / white and brown. The wires in the network cable must be ordered in the correct sequence to fit into the RJ-45 connector.
Some of the wires in the network cable are marked with two colors, for example orange and white
Step 4. Cut the wires so that they are the same length starting from the point where the protective sheath of the network cable ends
Remove the final portion of all the strands so that they are about 1 cm long. Grasp all the threads between the thumb and forefinger of the non-dominant hand so that you can hold them firmly in the correct order. At this point, use the scissors to cut and remove the excess part of the threads. Make sure all eight strands are the same length.
- The eight wires must all be the same length in order to insert them correctly into the appropriate grooves of the RJ-45 connector.
- If strands have different lengths, trim them again until they are perfectly aligned with each other.
Step 5. Insert the eight wires into the RJ-45 connector
Hold the connector so that the small plastic lever, which is used to release it from the network port, is facing down and the row of metal contacts is facing up. Firmly grasp all eight small wires in the correct order, then insert them into the RJ-45 connector. The individual wires should fit snugly and completely into their respective grooves in the connector, and the outer sheath of the network cable should be long enough to fit inside the connector so that individual wires are not exposed.
Step 6. Press the individual metal contacts of the RJ-45 connector using a small flat-blade screwdriver
Locate the row of small metal contacts at the end of the connector and use a small flat-blade screwdriver to press each individual contact all the way down, so that it locks the corresponding wire in its seat.
Be careful not to use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic part of the connector
Step 7. Tug on the network cable lightly while holding the RJ-45 connector with your fingers to make sure it is secure
Carefully check all metal contacts to make sure they fit snugly on their respective wires. They must all have the same height. Also make sure that none of the eight wires can be pulled out of the connector.
