CHAPTER 5 - MAKING ETHERNET CABLES - Tricks of the Trade
  
         
 
 

HOW TO MAKE AN ETHERNET CABLE
Purchasing fully made Ethernet cables (Cat-5) from the store can be quite expensive.  It is far easier to simply buy a box of bulk cable and then attach your own RJ-45 connectors to the cut ends to your preferred length.

  
 
 


 
 
  Bulk Ethernet Cable (RJ-45)  
         
 
  Bulk RJ45 Crimpable Connectors  
 



RJ-45 Crimping tool 		 
         
 


There are only two kinds of Ethernet cables you can make. Straight Through and Crossover.

STANDARD CAT 5 "Straight Through" cables normally have a unique color pattern. It is highly recommend you duplicate the color order as shown on left image. Note how the orange pair are not side by side (as are all the other pairs). This configuration allows for longer wire runs.STEP 1
Peal back 1/2 inch of the plastic cover on the bulk cable. End of Section		  
    CROSSOVER CABLES - are made by crossing some of the wires. Their purpose is to allow one machine to communicate directly to another without going through a hub or switch.  
         
     
   

Here's how to make a cable:Slice back 1/2 to 3/4 inch (2 cm) of the plastic cover on the bulk cable. The crimping tool has a razor blade that will do the trick with practice. Unwind and pair of the similiar colors (shown above)..
Unwind and pair of the similiar colors between your thumb and forefinger. Use scissors to cut the wires straight accross to 1/2 inch length.

  
    Push the wires into the connector. Note the position of the blue plastic shielding. Also note how the wires go all the way to the end.  
         
    A view from the top. All the wires are all the way in. There are no short wires.  
         
    WRONG WAY - Note how the blue plastic shielding is not inside the connector where it can be locked into place.  
         
    WRONG WAY - Note how the cables do not go all the way to the end of the connector.  
         
  Last step... carefully place the connector into the Ethernet Crimper to push and sinch down on the handles tightly. The copper splicing tabs will enter into each of the cables as well as a tab that pressdown on the covering jacket for compressed fit. When you remove the cable from the crimper, the cable is ready to use.

Make sure to test all cables before installing them.

Note - The maximum cable length of Cat-5E cable is 350 feet (apx. 100 meters).