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?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Davesparks' clear and concise description about how twisted pairs reject interference works the other way too - it stops the pairs radiating interference into each other i.e crosstalking. There are lots of subtleties to minimising crosstalk such as different twist lengths so that one core of one pair never repeatedly lies alongside one core of another pair.

Then there's the issue of characteristic impedance, which is one of the things that has to be kept as accurate as possible at joints. When dealing with high frequency signals, cables are much more complex than just a series resistance and insulation resistance. One parameter is the characteristic impedance, which is what a cable looks like to a source driving a very short pulse into the cable. When you change the construction of a pair in any way by spreading the cores apart, or adding more insulation, or changing the conductor diameter, the impedance changes. At each impedance change, part of the signal is reflected back to the source. If there are serious mismatches of impedance multiple reflections can occur and the true signal can be attenuated to the point where the data is corrupted, even without external interference. Data plugs, jacks, patch panels etc are all designed to preserve the characteristic impedance as far as possible.

Jelly crimps make an excellent electrical connection which is why were so popular for voice lines. But their size, and the fact that pairs have to be parted to fit them, spoils the high-frequency characteristics of the pair as far as impedance, crosstalk, interference rejection etc. are concerned, therefore they are not really suitable for data lines.

A carefully constructed solder joint can work well but I do mean carefully. The twist layups of the pairs must be preserved, and the insulation thickness, and the position of each of the joints needs planning, it's not as simple as making sure the connections are electrically sound.

 

[Squid]

Makes note in Moleskin notepad not to invite Lucian to the house warming party.............. ;o))))

 

[decomplexity]

I have used several of the inline couplers recommended earlier by Tony Mitchell with no problems. Just use a decent punch-down tool (e.g. Krone) and for consistency use the same pin-outs (Type A or B) as used by the end points - almost certainly Type B.

 

[pirate]

This is a very interesting thread, so thanks to all you knowledgeable contributors for your input!
I recently had my introduction to making patch cables, so i could have a wall-mounted socket thingy with a patch cable from there to my modem/router thingy.
A pal said to get a pass-thru type of crimper, which i did, and that made the job much simpler when terminating the connectors...I could strip the cable way too long, which made it easier to get those 8 pesky wires in the right positions, then simply snug the cable up tight so the untwisted strands and the outer sheath slipped way up into the connector, and the crimper just cut off the excess. My eyesight is such that wearing a dentists loupe was extremely useful...wouldn't want to do it every day, to be honest.

 

[Squid]

This is a very interesting thread, so thanks to all you knowledgeable contributors for your input!
I recently had my introduction to making patch cables, so i could have a wall-mounted socket thingy with a patch cable from there to my modem/router thingy.
A pal said to get a pass-thru type of crimper, which i did, and that made the job much simpler when terminating the connectors...I could strip the cable way too long, which made it easier to get those 8 pesky wires in the right positions, then simply snug the cable up tight so the untwisted strands and the outer sheath slipped way up into the connector, and the crimper just cut off the excess. My eyesight is such that wearing a dentists loupe was extremely useful...wouldn't want to do it every day, to be honest.

They are called East Connects,

feel sorry for your wife if you have trouble fiddling with small things....... and holes.

 

[Squid]

I have used several of the inline couplers recommended earlier by Tony Mitchell with no problems. Just use a decent punch-down tool (e.g. Krone) and for consistency use the same pin-outs (Type A or B) as used by the end points - almost certainly Type B.

Most Krone tools are for phone cables, network cables are a tad thicker and harder to punch down and to cut, I use a Fluke D914.

 

[decomplexity]

Yes - the Fluke D914 is a lovely bit of kit if a bit pricey; ide al if doing lots of terminations.

 

[Squid]

Always buy the best that you can afford.

 

[Midwest]

I've had the old panel off. It has a pair of network cables to it, with each connection doubled up with wires, e.g. from one cable - brown and white brown wires and the other cable - brown and white brown wires into one connection. Why would they do that?

I know it’s starting to turn into a step by step guide

 

[rsgaz]

So, it doesn't use ethernet at all, just the cable. It'll be some sort of DC bus system then. Doubled up conductors because Cat5e is only 0.2mm² per wire.

Is there isn't another switch nearby, if both the network cables come from exactly the same place, then indeed it makes no sense. Daisy chained to another switch plate would make sense though.

Edit: Is the cable shielded at all or just UTP?

 

[Midwest]

Argh, there are other similar panels in the area, their website suggest daisy chaining.
https://products.ex-or.com/products...tallation - SceneSelect II Control Panels.pdf

 

[rsgaz]

I can't open that PDF, I'm guessing you're logged in.

 

[Midwest]

Nor can I now; must be a problem with their web site.

 

[decomplexity]

If ALL the wires are doubled up with their partners (e.g. blue with blue/white) you don't have Ethernet. But it is permissible to double up brown with brown-white and blue with blue-white since there four are unused except by Gigabit Ethernet.

 

[telectrix]

very informative posts so far, but what has been missed is that the ethernet cables need to want to join, it's all down to karma.