| Twisted pair cables such as CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6 | | | | side) of the cable. Do not remove any insulation |
| and CAT6a cable are a low cost and easy | | | | from the conductors. |
| installation alternative to traditional coax cables for | | | | Trim the + shaped divider (an insulator core within |
| transmitting KVM and AV signals. KVM | | | | some manufacturer's CAT6 cables, so this may |
| (keyboard-video-mouse) extenders via CAT5 | | | | or may not be present) that separates each of |
| may be used to remove computers from harsh | | | | the twisted pair all the way back to the cut edge |
| or sensitive environments, or to restrict physical | | | | of the jacket. |
| access to the computer. Video extension | | | | Next, untwist the wires all the way to the jacket |
| products such as VGA, DVI, S-Video or HDTV | | | | edge (but not beyond) and arrange them |
| extenders via CAT5 are used to extend video | | | | according to TIA/EIA 568A or 568B standards. |
| displays. Each extender consists of two units - the | | | | For CAT6 cable, the RJ45 plug includes a loading |
| local and remote unit, which are interconnected | | | | bar used to properly space the wires for insertion |
| using a CAT5/5e/6 cable. | | | | into the RJ45 plug. Flatten and insert the wires |
| This article focuses on the proper method for | | | | into the loading bar. The loading bar has openings |
| terminating a CAT6 shielded solid or stranded | | | | in it, one for each conductor. The wires must be |
| cable using standard tools and materials that are | | | | placed in the proper order for either the TIA/EIA |
| readily available. With the proper use of the tools | | | | 568A or 568B standard. |
| and a little practice you will be terminating CAT6 | | | | With the wires in the proper order, slide the |
| cables in no time. | | | | loading bar (with the raised edge up) all the way |
| Prepare the cable | | | | onto the cable as far as possible. Then trim off |
| You will first need CAT6 shielded cable (solid or | | | | the excess wires that extend from the loading |
| stranded for the purposes of this article) cut to | | | | bar. |
| the desired length. The cable can be terminated | | | | Insert the prepared cable into the RJ45 plug such |
| before or after installation, even if you have a | | | | that the loading bar is fully inserted and the cable |
| long run to make. Using a cable tester from the | | | | jacket extends inside the plug. The jacket and |
| cable can be easily tested for continuity, crossed | | | | shield should extend at least 1/4" into the plug for |
| pairs and pinouts to make sure all connections | | | | proper strain relief and shield connection. Make |
| have been made properly. | | | | sure the drain wire is positioned at the bottom of |
| Next you will need to make sure you have the | | | | the connector as this is where it will see the |
| correct plugs to terminate the cable with. | | | | greatest contact with the shield of the RJ45 plug. |
| Different plugs are intended to different types of | | | | Using the RJ45 crimp tool, crimp the assembled |
| cable, whether you have solid or stranded | | | | termination to make it permanent. Firmly squeeze |
| connectors, flat or round cable, shielded or | | | | the handles to set the contacts and secure the |
| unshielded, and CAT5, 5e, 6, or 6a. Be sure to | | | | plug. Once crimped, the termination should be tight |
| use a plug suitable for your cable. | | | | and very difficult to remove. |
| For tools you need a CAT5 wire stripper, wire | | | | Test the cable |
| cutters, RJ45 crimp tool, and a CAT5 cable tester. | | | | Use the CAT5 cable tester to check your work. |
| Terminate the cable | | | | The tester will indicate proper continuity (complete |
| First, carefully strip the jacketing from the cable | | | | connection end-to-end), make sure the pairs have |
| to expose 1" of the insulated wire conductors and | | | | been matched up properly, and that the pinout is |
| shield. Don't cut too deeply or you will nick the | | | | according to the selected wire standard. If an end |
| shield and wire insulation underneath. If you just | | | | is wired incorrectly, the tester will indicate which |
| score the cable jacket and bend the wire in | | | | end is incorrect. Simply cut off the end and try |
| several directions to finish the break, the result will | | | | again. |
| be a good problem-free cut. | | | | Be sure to see more articles about CAT5 cable |
| Next, peel the foil shield insulation back onto the | | | | termination. Other types of cable require slightly |
| cable jacket and trim to within approximately | | | | different procedures, so not all of the details for |
| ΒΌ" of the jacket edge. Wrap the drain wire | | | | the cable you want to terminate will be covered |
| such that it is located at the bottom (locking-tab | | | | in this article. |