| Increasingly people are choosing to create their | | | | separate the cables so that the four pairs |
| own computer networks and naturally this means | | | | become eight separate wires. |
| wiring your own Ethernet cable, plugs and sockets. | | | | You then must arrange the wires into the correct |
| It can be a difficult task but this step by step | | | | pattern for insertion into the plug. By flexing the |
| guide should help the DIY enthusiast build the | | | | wires manipulation of the wires can be made |
| foundations for a solid network. | | | | much easier. There are a number of wiring |
| The benefits of going the do it yourself route in | | | | sequences used in Ethernet cabling, in most cases |
| regards to cabling is that you have the option to | | | | diagrams of these can be easily found on the |
| create custom cable lengths. For example, a | | | | internet. |
| twenty five foot long cable is hardly suitable when | | | | The fourth step is to take the wires in sequence |
| all you need is a two foot piece of wire. But how | | | | and insert them into the RJ45 plug. If the wires |
| do you wire an Ethernet cable? Hopefully the | | | | are not of equal length at this point it can be |
| following will be able to help. | | | | worth making a straight cut across all of them. |
| The first step is to take an end of the cable and | | | | Once you have slid the wires into the plug ensure |
| cut it straight; follow this by stripping the external | | | | that each of the exposed wires are in contact |
| casing about an inch from the end, if you are | | | | with the copper elements of the RJ45. |
| fortunate enough to have a cabling tool this is a | | | | Finally once the wires are inserted, use a crimping |
| simply task as all you must do is apply pressure, | | | | tool to press each of the wires into place. This is |
| rotate the cable and then slide off the casing. | | | | performed holding the wire in one hand and |
| Once the first step is completed you should have | | | | squeezing the crimping tool with reasonable force. |
| four twisted pairs of cables (if using Cat5e cable). | | | | This stage secures each of the wires in its place |
| Each pair has one colour, one wire being solid the | | | | and it is always a good idea to repeat the |
| other striped. These colours are typically blue, | | | | process to ensure all connections have been |
| green, orange and brown. All you must do is to | | | | made solidly. |