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