Joining erthernet cables

[Midwest]

Following on from my other thread
IP rated switchcover - https://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/threads/ip-rated-switchcover.173742/

I’ve decide to try and relocate the control panel. After a bit of a faff, managed to get to the other side of the old control panel. So my intention is to extend the two existing erthernet or network cables to the new position.

Having never worked with the stuff, what is the best method and product to use to join them? I’ve seen some vids of just twisting the cores, but that seems a bit of a bodge.

I’ve also seen coupler boxes, which look just like telephone line boxes. Is just as simple as that?

 

[Squid]

rj45 connector on the end of the existing cable and on the end of the new cable. rj45 coupler. thats the right way to do it.


RJ45 Cat6 Coupler - White - Data Comms Direct - https://www.dcdi.co.uk/shop/rj45-cat6-coupler-white

I have seem them fail on a regular basis as if "tugged" they can come apart.

I'd rather use something like this if its for a perm solution.

Cat5e Inline IDC Coupler Box | Cat5e Accessories - https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/cat5e-accessories/13154-cat5e-inline-idc-coupler-box.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_r3nBRDxARIsAJljleHj0iAGN9In3lm5WfJDGzDMkL_SRHrswxkjjwRwjePPX-S1Ew6WBJIaAs6cEALw_wcB

 

[David Prosser]

20821010001 | HARTING RJ45 Extender, 1 Port 2082 Series | RS Components - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/rj-adapters-couplers-extensions/8755654/

these are great if you have access to the tools.

 

[David Prosser]

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/idc-termination-tools/8755660/

208 200 000 03 | HARTING Cat6EA RJ45 Shielded Straight Terminal Module Terminal Module, Full Blank Size, preLink Series | RS Components - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/rj-socket-modules-blanks/1721033/

 

[Strima]

20821010001 | HARTING RJ45 Extender, 1 Port 2082 Series | RS Components - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/rj-adapters-couplers-extensions/8755654/

these are great if you have access to the tools.

I do like the look of that, but probably a little bit pricey to extend a couple of CAT5s'...

 

[David Prosser]

I do like the look of that, but probably a little bit pricey to extend a couple of CAT5s'...

Yes they are pricey, but most of our control panels are connected through CAT6 (and fiber optic) so the tool is essential. I've never known any of the joints or plugs fail if made off properly.

 

[Squid]

No one mentioned Wago's?

 

[Midwest]

No one mentioned Wago's?

I did think that, but didn’t want to embarrass myself

 

[Midwest]

Just remember, when connecting the cable to any connection box, keep the cables twisted for as long as possible.

Why is that?

 

[Midwest]

CAT5 6 BT PHONE DATA CABLE REPAIR SPLICE JOINER 2 WIRE JELLY CRIMP CONNECTORS | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAT5-6-BT-PHONE-DATA-CABLE-REPAIR-SPLICE-JOINER-2-WIRE-JELLY-CRIMP-CONNECTORS/262906961146?hash=item3d3679dcfa:m:m0efo6Q_HMZU_sAC-Et4aWQ&frcectupt=true

Is that the ‘infamous jelly crimp’ ?

 

[davesparks]

Why is that?

The twisted pair is the cables major defence against external inyerfence.

The basic idea is that one conductor carries a negative image of the data on the other. So if logic 1 is +5V on one conductor it will be - 5V on the other.
As the pairs are twisted together they will both pick up near identical interfence.
The device which receives the data will invert the negative signal so that the data will be the same as the positive signal but the interference will be inverted.
Then by merging the signals the interference will cancel out and the original data should remain intact.

 

[davesparks]

Is that the ‘infamous jelly crimp’ ?

Yes, not much good for cat 5 if carrying high speed data.

 

[davesparks]

rj45 connector on the end of the existing cable and on the end of the new cable. rj45 coupler. thats the right way to do it.


RJ45 Cat6 Coupler - White - Data Comms Direct - https://www.dcdi.co.uk/shop/rj45-cat6-coupler-white

Right way according to who? Is this just your opinion or is there something else to support the statement?
That method looks quite shoddy and in my experience isn't the most reliable or easy to get right.

 

[Squid]

FFS just twist them together and use the minimum amount of tape to wrap the cable as you are a right git, it will unravel itself in the sun in a few months time though........ all this fussing around is putting us data cablers out of work, next electricians will be erecting scaffolding....... sheeeeeesh

I maybe having a giraffe.........

 

[Deleted member 105166]

I've used these, generally with good results:
Junction Box / Inline Coupler IDC for CAT5E / CAT6 - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CXSM315.html

Obviously, any joint is a weakness and if the option exists to pull a new cable that will always be better. If they are going to be inaccessible, test each line before concealing.

 

[brains-lans]

Right way according to who? Is this just your opinion or is there something else to support the statement?
That method looks quite shoddy and in my experience isn't the most reliable or easy to get right.

Hi Dave, Just my experience really. Its more of a right way to do it than using BT jellys or twisting the strands together and taping.

I see there are products that exist i wasn't aware of that do it well. But in a panel where there shouldn't be a lot of movement, the rj45 coupler isn't a bad device for the space it takes up (minimal) and they are designed for joining two ethernet cables together so are up to the task.

Ive been working in datacentres for over 20 years so the crimping part to me is the easy part, i appreciate making these off can be difficult if you don't do it regularly.

Still though - one cable of the right length would be best, but life is rarely perfect.

Brian