Really struggling with RJ45 connectors.

[HappyHippyDad]

I have fitted RJ45 connectors to either side of a piece of cat5 cable but when I test it on the laptop I get no ethernet connection. I also have a pre-made ethernet cable which works fine so I know it's my home made ethernet cable. I cut the cat5 to 12.5mm and connect both ends the same (i.e s68A)

I have practised this a few times now each with the same result, i.e. it doesn't work.

With a piece of twin and earth I could test for continuity at both ends but how do I test for continuity through an RJ45 connector?

The problems that I can see it as being are the following but I dont know which is the most likely or if there are other problems I missing?

1. Poor quality connectors, not actually making contact in the laptop or router.
2. cat 5 not actually terminated inside RJ45 connector
3. RJ45 Crimping tool not effective which leads to 2 above.

Cheers all.

 

[pirate]

There's another thread on here from a while back, but basically the same info-buy good connectors, the pass-thru are so much easier, a decent crimper to match and a cheap tester as linked above.
The cheap testers won't do any kind of "diagnostics" such as used by those who specialise in this type of work, but they are fine for just checking continuity in the connections you make.

 

[MJPD29]

Get yourself a cheap network tester itll tell you exactly which cores are missing

 

[Lucien Nunes]

My suggested method for terminating UTP into closed-end Cat5e connectors:

1. Leave ends too long and untwist as far as jacket.
2. Pinch jacket tightly at end with one hand to stop cores moving about.
3. Pinch cores lightly in a flat row with other hand and pull along them as if combing with your fingers, repeating 3-4 times first giving a curl upwards, then downwards, then straight.
4. Let go of jacket. Pinch fingers together and tuck cores between them in sequence, ensuring they take the straightest route from their position in the jacket without looping around each other.
5. When all in a row pinch jacket again, flex cores up and down once as a flat row to teach them their final positions, then trim to length. They should lie exactly flush and parallel by themselves.
6. Slide row of cores along base of entry channel until sheath is inside clamping zone
7. Visually check sequence and look into end of connector to make sure you can see copper in each position.
8. Keep pinched firmly and push cable into connector while you crimp.

Takes me about 25 seconds, can't remember the last time one didn't work.
Note that some types of RJ45 are designed for solid-core, some for stranded patch and some for both.

Looking at those pics, I agree that the cores are not fully inserted - they should reach to the very end of the channels so that when you look at the end of the connector you can see both the conductor and insulation clearly on each core.

Also as mentioned above, the sequence is wrong. It is not sufficient that each pin at one end is connected to the same pin at the other. Splitting pairs (e.g. swapping one orange with one blue but putting them right at the far end) will completely scramble the transmission as the go and return of each of the four circuits must form a twisted pair to have the correct characteristics.

 

[Megawatt]

I have fitted RJ45 connectors to either side of a piece of cat5 cable but when I test it on the laptop I get no ethernet connection. I also have a pre-made ethernet cable which works fine so I know it's my home made ethernet cable. I cut the cat5 to 12.5mm and connect both ends the same (i.e s68A)

I have practised this a few times now each with the same result, i.e. it doesn't work.

With a piece of twin and earth I could test for continuity at both ends but how do I test for continuity through an RJ45 connector?

The problems that I can see it as being are the following but I dont know which is the most likely or if there are other problems I missing?

1. Poor quality connectors, not actually making contact in the laptop or router.
2. cat 5 not actually terminated inside RJ45 connector
3. RJ45 Crimping tool not effective which leads to 2 above.

Cheers all.

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I used to do hundreds of them especially patch cables using the B pattern. Eyes have. Got to bad to see the colors so I get my son to do it. You have the right tool

 

[Leesparkykent]

The thing I hate to most is unravelling the wires and then trying to straighten them out prior to putting in order. Is there a tool that assists with this?

Use an off cut of the outer sheath and run it down the middle of twisted pairs.
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Just buy pass through connectors and a pass through crimping tool, 10 x faster and accurate.

 

[static zap]

I kept a trimmed perfect template "cable" sample - glued -
to "crimper" storage.
Thru connectors sound so much simpler -to all that preening/re-trimming !
(some crimp tools can add a step to the side of the divider )
(look close with an eye glass !)

 

[Taylortwocities]

This one is cheaper - £3.50!!
LINK

Thanks, I just bought one of those!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Just bought one!

My suggested method for terminating UTP into closed-end Cat5e connectors:

1. Leave ends too long and untwist as far as jacket.
2. Pinch jacket tightly at end with one hand to stop cores moving about.
3. Pinch cores lightly in a flat row with other hand and pull along them as if combing with your fingers, repeating 3-4 times first giving a curl upwards, then downwards, then straight.
4. Let go of jacket. Pinch fingers together and tuck cores between them in sequence, ensuring they take the straightest route from their position in the jacket without looping around each other.
5. When all in a row pinch jacket again, flex cores up and down once as a flat row to teach them their final positions, then trim to length. They should lie exactly flush and parallel by themselves.
6. Slide row of cores along base of entry channel until sheath is inside clamping zone
7. Visually check sequence and look into end of connector to make sure you can see copper in each position.
8. Keep pinched firmly and push cable into connector while you crimp.

Takes me about 25 seconds, can't remember the last time one didn't work.
Note that some types of RJ45 are designed for solid-core, some for stranded patch and some for both.

Looking at those pics, I agree that the cores are not fully inserted - they should reach to the very end of the channels so that when you look at the end of the connector you can see both the conductor and insulation clearly on each core.

Also as mentioned above, the sequence is wrong. It is not sufficient that each pin at one end is connected to the same pin at the other. Splitting pairs (e.g. swapping one orange with one blue but putting them right at the far end) will completely scramble the transmission as the go and return of each of the four circuits must form a twisted pair to have the correct characteristics.

Yes, you are right they were not pushed in far enough. It seems to work fine now I have inserted them further in.

With regards your last paragraph I'm not sure what you mean as I believe I have the sequence correct? If you see post #6 you will see I have used T568A, however I realise T568B is usually used. Does it make a difference which one you use?

 

[Zerax]

Does it make a difference which one you use?

No. As long as you use the same method at each end. Most modern equipment will auto-sense A or B sequence if it's relevant.
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Oh... before I forget... don't bother making up patch cables if you need 'em. Just buy them in... it's cheaper, easier and looks better.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

I believe I have the sequence correct

Yes, my apologies, I thought at first that the brown/white and orange/white were interchanged but now I see it on a proper screen it is indeed correct 568A.

 

[pirate]

Here's a video for pass-thru with Klein tools crimper.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HDR6T_w4SU

I have only recently started doing this stuff, and never had a fail yet...
I have not very good eyesight, so actually I leave the tails extra long so I can thread each core into the connector individually, verify they are in the correct sequence then pull the excess through so the outer jacket is right into the connector, crimp and cut off the excess in one go. Those with good sight and nimble fingers can do this in seconds.

 

[mattg4321]

I use the Ideal pass through crimper. Handy as you can buy the rj45 ends from screwfix if you need them quick.

Absolutely brilliant. Very quick and never had a failure.

 

[KWCFC]

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Them crimpers are naff buddy. They'll work for your first 50 odd crimps but then unreliable after that.

As mentioned before your better of using the feed through crimpers and the compatible crimps. Your spending a bit more but they NEVER fail.

I use these ones: Klein Tools Compact Ratchet Modular Crimper - https://www.screwfix.com/p/klein-tools-compact-ratchet-modular-crimper/8309K?tc=BA8&ds_kid=92700022850516740&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1244066&gclid=CjwKCAjwgbLzBRBsEiwAXVIygBRzgl-M0yvbnR4gXL18blnqfkaZrKExtZcFkaPUM2tic82WTsi1FhoCuGAQAvD_BwE

 

[richy3333]

@happyhippydad if its any consolation I always find them fiddly to do whether cat 5 or 6. Wires are too small and my eyes are too old. Best advice I can give is to take your time and allow for lots of waste to be cut off. I also use the Klein crimp tool and the through type RJ45 connectors

 

[nate9595]

Stick it in and squash a ball of blu-tack onto one side. done this loads of times with connectors with broken clips, an inexpensive hack that works great.