Making up an Ethernet cable (or failing to)

[Sam Plusnet]

I bought a 40 metre long Cat6 cable to install an outdoor camera.
Before starting work I tested it with my new cable tester. It was fine.
(Yes, the cable is rated for outdoor use.)

Whilst installing the cable I had to cut off one connector to get the
cable through a 'conduit' into the house.
I added a new connector to that end, and re-tested to cable. The LEDs
for core 1 failed to light at BOTH the TX and the RX end.

I ended up cutting off and remaking both connectors.
Now I have the core 1 LED lighting at the TX end, but doesn't light at
the RX end.

(All other core are fine.)

Since I don't have a circuit diagram for this tester, I don't understand
the significance of:
LED fails to light at both ends
versus
LED fails to light at the RX end only.

Help & hints will be happily received.

[Andy Burns]

Post by Sam Plusnet
I ended up cutting off and remaking both connectors.

Is it solid core wires, or multi strand? Which type of wire are your
crimp plugs for?

[NY]

Post by Sam Plusnet
I ended up cutting off and remaking both connectors.

Is it solid core wires, or multi strand?  Which type of wire are your
crimp plugs for?

I bought a crimper ages ago to make up Ethernet cables. I've not idea
whether it was for single core or stranded cable - I don't remember
being offered crimp plugs for the two different types: I just used the
ones that were bundled with the tool.

I found it impossible to get it to work, mainly because of the problem
of arranging the wires in exactly the same configuration at both ends so
(for example) the red wire was pin 3 and the blue one was pin 4 at both
ends. I couldn't get all n wires to go fully into their respective holes
in the plug simultaneously so all of them were crimped.

I gave it up as a bad loss. The instructions and the salesman made it
sound so easy, but I was too clumsy (?) to get all the wires into the
right places on both plugs.

It is probably *much* easier to crimp plugs onto modern flat (ribbon
cable) Cat 5, where all the wires are inline, than older
circular-profile cable which is what I was trying to do (flat-cat 5
hadn't been released then).

[Andy Burns]

Post by NY
I bought a crimper ages ago to make up Ethernet cables. I've not idea
whether it was for single core or stranded cable - I don't remember

mostly they're for stranded, as that's most patch leads, but when the
O/P said it was outdoor cable, Ithough that would more likely be solid?

Post by NY
I found it impossible to get it to work, mainly because of the problem
of arranging the wires in exactly the same configuration at both ends

Just use the Dave Jones squint while sticking your tongue out technique!

[The Natural Philosopher]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by NY
I bought a crimper ages ago to make up Ethernet cables. I've not idea
whether it was for single core or stranded cable - I don't remember

mostly they're for stranded, as that's most patch leads, but when the
O/P said it was outdoor cable, Ithough that would more likely be solid?

There is solid and there is stranded and you never get a correct joint
if you use the wrong one.
Most wall sockets punch down solid, most plugs are for stranded
-

Post by Andy Burns

Post by NY
I found it impossible to get it to work, mainly because of the problem
of arranging the wires in exactly the same configuration at both ends

Just use the Dave Jones squint while sticking your tongue out technique!

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by NY
I bought a crimper ages ago to make up Ethernet cables. I've not idea
whether it was for single core or stranded cable - I don't remember

mostly they're for stranded, as that's most patch leads, but when the
O/P said it was outdoor cable, Ithough that would more likely be solid?

Post by NY
I found it impossible to get it to work, mainly because of the problem
of arranging the wires in exactly the same configuration at both ends

It's much easier with solid core cable (this Cat6 outdoor is solid core).
I spent some time making up leads using off-cuts of the Cat6 outdoor
cable and that worked every time - right up until the point where it
actually mattered.

Post by Andy Burns
Just use the Dave Jones squint while sticking your tongue out technique!

I promise that my tongue was in the required configuration. I find it
impossible to do this sort of thing without (much to my wife's amusement).

[Pancho]

Post by NY
I gave it up as a bad loss. The instructions and the salesman made it
sound so easy, but I was too clumsy (?) to get all the wires into the
right places on both plugs.

You can get plugs that have a detachable cable guide. Thread the
separate cables before inserting it into the plug.

<https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/ethernet-connectors/7918504>

Post by NY
It is probably *much* easier to crimp plugs onto modern flat (ribbon
cable) Cat 5, where all the wires are inline, than older circular-
profile cable which is what I was trying to do (flat-cat 5 hadn't been
released then).

[John R Walliker]

Post by Pancho

Post by NY
I gave it up as a bad loss. The instructions and the salesman made it
sound so easy, but I was too clumsy (?) to get all the wires into the
right places on both plugs.

You can get plugs that have a detachable cable guide. Thread the
separate cables before inserting it into the plug.
<https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/ethernet-connectors/7918504>

Post by NY
It is probably *much* easier to crimp plugs onto modern flat (ribbon
cable) Cat 5, where all the wires are inline, than older circular-
profile cable which is what I was trying to do (flat-cat 5 hadn't been
released then).

You can also get plugs with holes at the ends. This allows you to push
an excess of wire through so that the colours can easily be checked
before crimping. Some of these are also rated for use with either
solid or stranded wire.

For example:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MM3FQ3F

There is a special tool that trims the excess, but side cutters
work fine in conjunction with a standard crimp tool.

John

[Theo]

Post by John R Walliker

Post by Pancho

Post by NY
I gave it up as a bad loss. The instructions and the salesman made it
sound so easy, but I was too clumsy (?) to get all the wires into the
right places on both plugs.

You can get plugs that have a detachable cable guide. Thread the
separate cables before inserting it into the plug.
<https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/ethernet-connectors/7918504>

Post by NY
It is probably *much* easier to crimp plugs onto modern flat (ribbon
cable) Cat 5, where all the wires are inline, than older circular-
profile cable which is what I was trying to do (flat-cat 5 hadn't been
released then).

You can also get plugs with holes at the ends. This allows you to push
an excess of wire through so that the colours can easily be checked
before crimping. Some of these are also rated for use with either
solid or stranded wire.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MM3FQ3F
There is a special tool that trims the excess, but side cutters
work fine in conjunction with a standard crimp tool.

I have a basic crimp tool and a bag of RJ45 connectors from years ago, of
both the standard and guide ('load bar') versions. I just couldn't get cat6
external cable to crimp properly - pushing it into the plug would always
kink somewhere and miss a wire or two from the terminals. Maybe cat6 was
too thick?

I was going to buy some 'passthrough' RJ45 connectors but they seemed to be
quite hard to buy in small quantities (roughly £10 for a bag), so I ended up
buying a set including the crimp tool which also trims (£15 a few weeks ago):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DCZ7KY77

The gamechanger with this is it's possible to feed one wire at a time
through the connector, and check it's in the right spot before feeding in
the next one. Didn't take much practice before I got the technique.

Theo

[wasbit]

Post by Theo

Post by John R Walliker

Post by Pancho

Post by NY
I gave it up as a bad loss. The instructions and the salesman made it
sound so easy, but I was too clumsy (?) to get all the wires into the
right places on both plugs.

You can get plugs that have a detachable cable guide. Thread the
separate cables before inserting it into the plug.
<https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/ethernet-connectors/7918504>

Post by NY
It is probably *much* easier to crimp plugs onto modern flat (ribbon
cable) Cat 5, where all the wires are inline, than older circular-
profile cable which is what I was trying to do (flat-cat 5 hadn't been
released then).

You can also get plugs with holes at the ends. This allows you to push
an excess of wire through so that the colours can easily be checked
before crimping. Some of these are also rated for use with either
solid or stranded wire.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MM3FQ3F
There is a special tool that trims the excess, but side cutters
work fine in conjunction with a standard crimp tool.

I have a basic crimp tool and a bag of RJ45 connectors from years ago, of
both the standard and guide ('load bar') versions. I just couldn't get cat6
external cable to crimp properly - pushing it into the plug would always
kink somewhere and miss a wire or two from the terminals. Maybe cat6 was
too thick?
I was going to buy some 'passthrough' RJ45 connectors but they seemed to be
quite hard to buy in small quantities (roughly £10 for a bag), so I ended up
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DCZ7KY77
The gamechanger with this is it's possible to feed one wire at a time
through the connector, and check it's in the right spot before feeding in
the next one. Didn't take much practice before I got the technique.

+1
Even with passthrough RJ45s it's easiest if you can get the kinks out of
the twisted pairs & get each wire as straight as possible.

[Chris Green]

Post by John R Walliker

Post by Pancho

Post by NY
I gave it up as a bad loss. The instructions and the salesman made it
sound so easy, but I was too clumsy (?) to get all the wires into the
right places on both plugs.

You can get plugs that have a detachable cable guide. Thread the
separate cables before inserting it into the plug.
<https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/ethernet-connectors/7918504>

Post by NY
It is probably *much* easier to crimp plugs onto modern flat (ribbon
cable) Cat 5, where all the wires are inline, than older circular-
profile cable which is what I was trying to do (flat-cat 5 hadn't been
released then).

You can also get plugs with holes at the ends. This allows you to push
an excess of wire through so that the colours can easily be checked
before crimping. Some of these are also rated for use with either
solid or stranded wire.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MM3FQ3F
There is a special tool that trims the excess, but side cutters
work fine in conjunction with a standard crimp tool.

They look useful, I have a load of plugs but can't differentiate the
solid/stranded versions. On the other hand I don't have too much
trouble getting the wires in the right order (no tongue involved!) and
I have a lot of home-made cat5 leads around the place which work
pretty reliably up to gigabit speeds. I test before installation with
a cable tester and that weeds out the odd failure (usually an
unconnected wire, not misplaced wires).

[Andy Burns]

Post by Chris Green
I have a load of plugs but can't differentiate the
solid/stranded versions.

<Loading Image...>

[fred]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Chris Green
I have a load of plugs but can't differentiate the
solid/stranded versions.

<https://i.sstatic.net/PUwjE.jpg>

Useful, thx.

[Andrew]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Chris Green
I have a load of plugs but can't differentiate the
solid/stranded versions.

<https://i.sstatic.net/PUwjE.jpg>

Hmm. Ta for that.

The OR droid who fixed up my internal wiring when I was upgraded
to DV used gel-filled crimps to join a 2-core flying lead
phone extension (plugged into the SH2) to my solid CAT5E
internal extension wiring.

I wonder if this is OK. If not, what would be the best way ?.

I am tempted to remove the crimps, clean off the gel muck
and solder + heatshrink them.

Comments ?.

[Andy Burns]

Post by Andrew
The OR droid who fixed up my internal wiring when I was upgraded
to DV used gel-filled crimps to join a 2-core flying lead
phone extension (plugged into the SH2) to my solid CAT5E
internal extension wiring.
I wonder if this is OK.

The jelly crimps are generally good, I have some where the underground
wiring enters in my wall cavity, keeps the damp out.

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by Sam Plusnet
I ended up cutting off and remaking both connectors.

Is it solid core wires, or multi strand?  Which type of wire are your
crimp plugs for?

Solid - and the connectors _seem_ suitable for that.

The 24 AWD solid cores made it easier to get & keep the cores arrayed in
the correct order whilst feeding them into/through the connector.
The extra flex of multi-strand (I tried putting connectors on an old
patch cord for some practice) made this seem almost impossible.

[Sam Plusnet]

I bought a 40 metre long Cat6 cable to install an outdoor camera. Before
starting work I tested it with my new cable tester.  It was fine.
(Yes, the cable is rated for outdoor use.)
Whilst installing the cable I had to cut off one connector to get the
cable through a 'conduit' into the house.
I added a new connector to that end, and re-tested to cable.  The LEDs
for core 1 failed to light at BOTH the TX and the RX end.
I ended up cutting off and remaking both connectors.
Now I have the core 1 LED lighting at the TX end, but doesn't light at
the RX end.
(All other core are fine.)
Since I don't have a circuit diagram for this tester, I don't understand
LED fails to light at both ends
versus
LED fails to light at the RX end only.
Help & hints will be happily received.

Just to add a coda to this, I checked for continuity from end to end of
the cable with a multimeter (just in case I had managed to break a core
somewhere in the middle of the cable, with some rough handling) - it was
fine.
I then re-terminated (one end of) the cable one more time, and all is well.