| > | | | | Trim the + shaped divider (an insulator core within |
| This article focuses on the proper method for | | | | some manufacturer’s CAT6 cables, so this |
| terminating a CAT6 shielded solid or stranded | | | | may or may not be present) that separates each |
| cable with cable clip using standard tools and | | | | of the twisted pair all the way back to the cut |
| materials that are readily available. With the | | | | edge of the jacket. |
| proper use of the tools and a little practice you | | | | Untwist the wires to within approximately 3/16 |
| will be terminating CAT6 cables in no time. | | | | of the jacket edge (but not beyond) and arrange |
| Twisted pair cables such as CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6 | | | | them according to TIA/EIA 568A or 568B |
| and CAT6a cable are a low cost and easy | | | | standards. For a CAT6 shielded RJ45 plug with |
| installation alternative to traditional coax cables for | | | | cable clip, the RJ45 plug should include a spacer |
| transmitting KVM and AV signals. KVM | | | | bar used to properly space the pairs of wires for |
| (keyboard-video-mouse) extenders via CAT5 | | | | insertion into the loading bar and plug. Insert |
| may be used to remove computers from harsh | | | | the wires into the spacer bar, (one twisted pair |
| or sensitive environments, or to restrict physical | | | | per space) with the "V" shaped split facing |
| access to the computer. Video extension | | | | upwards and away from the jacket. Position the |
| products such as VGA, DVI, S-Video or HDTV | | | | spacer bar as close to the jacket as possible. |
| extenders via CAT5 are used to extend video | | | | The portion of untwisted wire should be inside the |
| displays. Each extender consists of two units - the | | | | spacer bar. |
| local and remote units, which are interconnected | | | | Flatten and insert the remaining wire into the |
| using a CAT5/5e/6 cable. | | | | loading bar. The loading bar has openings in it, |
| This article focuses on the proper method for | | | | one for each conductor. The wires must be |
| terminating a CAT6 shielded solid or stranded | | | | placed in the proper order for either the TIA/EIA |
| cable using standard tools and materials that are | | | | 568A or 568B standard. With the wires in the |
| readily available. With the proper use of the tools | | | | proper order, slide the loading bar (with the raised |
| and a little practice you will be terminating CAT6 | | | | edge up and towards the spacer bar) all the way |
| cables in no time. | | | | on until it touches the spacer bar. Then trim off |
| Prepare the cable | | | | the excess wires that extend from the loading |
| You will first need CAT6 shielded cable (solid or | | | | bar. |
| stranded for the purposes of this article) cut to | | | | Insert the prepared cable into the RJ45 plug such |
| the desired length. The cable can be terminated | | | | that the loading bar is fully inserted and the cable |
| before or after installation, even if you have a | | | | jacket extends inside the plug. Be careful not |
| long run to make. Using a cable tester from VPI | | | | to scrape the foil shield with the cable clip as you |
| ( the cable can be easily tested for continuity, | | | | insert the assembly. The jacket and shield should |
| crossed pairs and pinouts to make sure all | | | | extend at least ¼ into the plug for proper |
| connections have been made properly. | | | | strain relief and shield connection. Make sure |
| Next you will need to make sure you have the | | | | the drain wire is positioned at the bottom of the |
| correct plugs to terminate the cable with. | | | | connector as this is where it will see the greatest |
| Different plugs are intended to different types of | | | | contact with the shield of the RJ45 plug. |
| cable, whether you have solid or stranded | | | | Using the RJ45 crimp tool (make sure this tool is |
| connectors, flat or round cable, shielded or | | | | capable of crimping the cable clip), crimp the |
| unshielded, and CAT5, 5e, 6, or 6a. Be sure to | | | | assembled termination to make it permanent. |
| use a plug suitable for your cable. | | | | Firmly squeeze the handles to set the contacts, |
| For tools you need a CAT5 wire stripper, wire | | | | crimp the cable clip and secure the plug. Once |
| cutters, RJ45 crimp tool (specially designed for | | | | crimped, the termination should be tight and |
| RJ45 plug with cable clip), and a CAT5 cable | | | | impossible to remove. |
| tester. | | | | Slide the rubber boot over the crimped connection |
| Terminate the cable | | | | and plug until it grabs the small teeth on the plug |
| First, slide the plug boot onto the cable, being sure | | | | body. |
| to orient the boot such that the open side is | | | | Test the cable |
| towards the cut end of the cable. Then | | | | Use the CAT5 cable tester to check your |
| carefully strip the jacketing from the cable to | | | | work. The tester will indicate proper continuity |
| expose 1" of the insulated wire conductors and | | | | (complete connection end-to-end), make sure the |
| shield. Don’t cut too deeply or you will | | | | pairs have been matched up properly, and that |
| knick the shield and wire insulation underneath. If | | | | the pinout is according to the selected wire |
| you just score the cable jacket and bend the | | | | standard. If an end is wired incorrectly, the |
| wire in several directions to finish the break, the | | | | tester will indicate which end is incorrect. Simply |
| result will be a good problem-free cut. | | | | cut off the end and try again. |
| Next, peel the foil shield insulation back onto the | | | | Be sure to see more articles about CAT5 cable |
| cable jacket and trim to within approximately | | | | termination available from VPI. Other types of |
| ¼ of the jacket edge. Wrap the drain wire | | | | cable require slightly different procedures, so not |
| such that it is located at the bottom (locking-tab | | | | all of the details for the cable you want to |
| side) of the cable. Do not remove any | | | | terminate will be covered in this article. |
| insulation from the conductors. | | | | |