This article will tell you how to build a Category 5 Ethernet cable. For our example, we will make a Category 5e patch cable, but the same general method applies to any category of network.
Steps
Step 1. Unroll the required amount of cable and add some more, you never know
Perform this step before removing the outer sheath of the cable.
Step 2. Carefully remove the outer jacket of the cable
Be careful while doing this to avoid breaking electrical circuits. A good way to do this is to cut the cable lengthwise about 2.5 cm with a knife. This reduces the risk of damage to the wiring insulation. Cut the sheath open and the twisted wire pairs approximately 30mm. You will notice eight cables split into four pairs. Each pair will have a cable of a certain color and another white, with a stripe that combines with the partner's color (this cable is called a tracer).
Step 3. Examine open wires for cuts or to see copper parts
If you've broken a cable's protective jacket, you'll need to cut out the entire segment and start over. Exposed copper cable will result in poor performance or lack of connectivity. It is important that the jacket of all network cables remains intact.
Step 4. Untangle the wire pairs
The white ones can be cut and thrown away. For ease of handling, cut the cables so that their length is uniform and 19 mm from the base of the sheath.
Step 5. Arrange the cables according to your needs
There are two methods, the 568A and 568B. What you choose will depend on what you connect. A straight-through cable is used to connect two different devices (for example, a hub and a PC). Two similar devices usually require a crossover cable. The difference between the two is that a straight-through cable has both ends wired identically with the 568B, while a crossover cable is wired with the 568A on one end and the 568B on the other. For our demonstration, we will use the 568B, but the instructions can easily be adapted to the 568A as well.
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568B - Arrange the cables from left to right in the following order:
- White / Orange
- Orange
- White green
- Blue
- White / Blue
- Green
- White / Brown
- Brown
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568A - from left to right:
- White green
- Green
- White / Orange
- Blue
- White / Blue
- Orange
- White / Brown
- Brown
Make a Network Cable Step 6 Step 6. You can also use the 1-2-3-6 / 3-6-1-2 mnemonic sequence to remember which cables to change
Make a Network Cable Step 7 Step 7. Flatten all cables and place them parallel using your thumb and index finger
Check that the colors have remained in the correct order. Evenly cut the top of the cables so that their distance from the base of the sheath is 12.5 mm. Getting the measurement wrong can jeopardize connectivity and quality. Make sure the cut leaves the cables even and clean. If you do it wrong, the cable may not make contact inside the socket.
Make a Network Cable Step 8 Step 8. Keep the cables flat and tidy as you insert them into the RJ-45 connector with the flat surface of the socket on top
The white / orange cable should be on the left when looking at the socket from above. You can tell if the cables have entered the plug properly and are maintaining their position by looking at the socket from the front. You should be able to see a cable located in each hole. It may take a little effort to push the pairs firmly inside the plug. The wiring sheath should also enter the rear of the socket approximately 6mm to help secure the cable when the connector is closed. Check that the sequence is correct before closing.
Make a Network Cable Step 9 Step 9. Fix the wired socket with the crimper
Squeeze firmly. You should hear a mechanical noise during the operation. Once this step is completed, the crank will reset to the open position. Some people prefer to do this step twice to be sure.
Make a Network Cable Step 10 Step 10. Repeat all the previous steps with the other end of the cable
How you wire the other part (568A or 568B) will depend on which cable you make, which can be straight, turned sideways or crossover.
Make a Network Cable Step 11 Step 11. Test the wiring to see if it works
Badly wired cables can create numerous problems. As if this weren't enough, with PoE, Power-Over-Ethernet, which is becoming popular on the market, crossover cable pairs could ruin computers or telephone systems, making the importance of the cable ordering factor crucial. A simple wiring tester can quickly verify the information for you.
Advice
- CAT5 and CAT5e cables are very similar, although CAT5e offers better quality, especially when it comes to long cables. However, CAT5 is a good option for small patch cables.
- A key point to remember while dealing with Ethernet patch cables is that the twisted pairs should stay that way for as long as possible, perhaps until they reach the termination of the RJ-45 connector. The entanglement of pairs in a network cable is what is needed to ensure good connectivity and keep interference to a minimum. Don't tangle the cables any more than you need to.
- A good idea for long cables, especially those that you will hang or run through walls, is to close and test the wiring before using it. This is especially recommended for beginners, so they will know what order to follow and will do everything right, instead of having to run for cover later.
- The boxes containing the network cables must always be placed horizontally, not vertically, so the wires will not twist together or create knots.
Warnings
- Buildings constructed in compliance with fire regulations need a special type of wire cover if wiring is installed on the ceiling or in other areas exposed to the facility's ventilation system. These cables, called plenums, do not release toxic fumes when burned. They cost more, perhaps double the common ones, so they should only be used when essential. Riser cables are similar to plenum cables, but are used for walls or floors. The riser may not always replace the plenum, so carefully analyze the area where you will install one of the two. When in doubt, use the plenum, which is safer.
- RJ-45 is the most common term to call the connector used for CAT5 cabling. The correct name is actually 8P8C, while RJ-45 is a very similar connector used in the telecommunications industry. Many people use the two terms synonymously, so be careful when shopping in a catalog or online and you cannot visually determine your purchase.
- Unless you need to do a lot of cabling work, it may be less frustrating and expensive to buy ready-made cables.
- A CAT5 cable cannot exceed 100 meters.
- Ripcords (fiber optic cables), if present, are generally strong, so don't try to break them: cut them.
- Watch out for the protection of your cable. The most common type is UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair), but there are several screen options against EMI (electromagnetic interference). Buy what you need; in almost any environment UTP will do.
