How To Make An Ethernet Patch Cable
This month we're going to show you how to make your own ethernet patch
cable!
The two main choices you will encounter when choosing an ethernet cable is
whether you would like to use Cat5e or Cat6. The chief difference is going to
be the bandwidth of each cable. Cat6 cables have the ability to transfer a
larger amount of data than Cat5e cables. This doesn't necessarily mean it
always makes sense to choose Cat6. In fact for home networks it may make more
sense to choose Cat5e cables. Also you probably won't need the extra
bandwidth Cat6 provides at home. Cat6 is fantastic for commercial settings,
larger networks, and for high-end multimedia set-ups.
Another important note is that while making a DIY patch cable is a
rewarding experience for general home or office use it may make more sense to
purchase pre-terminated patch cables. Please view this article for
information and learning purposes and not as the best way to obtain a patch
cable.
While we understand at first glance this may seem like a daunting task
it's actually quite straight-forward. All it takes is the right tools,
patience, and the willingness to learn. So let's get started!
Tools and Parts you Will Need:
Step 1: Slide on the Strain-Relief Boot
The first step we will perform is to slide on the strain-relief boot. This
is done by slipping the cable through the hole in the boot. You will want to
make sure the larger side of the boot (the part that the plastic connector
will sit in) is facing towards the end of the cable. Strain-relief boot are
optional, they are used to keep the wires from being bent at too sharp an
angle after coming out of the connector.
Step 2: Stripping the Outer Jacket
The next step is to strip the outer jacket. The goal is to leave the 4
twisted pairs exposed with enough room to straighten them out and organize
them. In this example we cut off about an inch and a half which is
sufficient to organize and straighten them. On many crimpers there is the
ability to do this however if you find you need more room than what the
crimper affords you can take a tool such as a wire cutter to cut off the
desired length. Be careful to not cut the actual cables inside as it may
affect its ability to carry a signal. Please note as with any sharp
tool be careful to not cut yourself and please pay attention at all times.
Step 3: Organizing and Lining Up the Wires
There are a few different orders the wires can go in depending on the
application you're using this cable for. The most common standards are
T568A and T568B. T568A is the recommended wiring standard according to the
ANSI/TIA/EIA. T568B is the older and more widely used of the two standards.
The main difference between the two is that the orange and green pairs of
wires are switched, however, it's important to note in terms of
functionality they accomplish the same thing.
We're going to use the T568B standard. This standard uses the color order:
- Orange/White
- Orange
- Green/White
- Blue
- Blue/White
- Green
- Brown/White
- Brown
When creating patch cable wiring,it's a good idea to untwist the wires as little as possible; just enough
that the wires can be sorted out. You will have to straighten out each cable
so that it lines up neatly next to each other. The goal is to have the 8
cables lined up next to each other and also straight enough to be easy to
manage.
Step 4a: Cutting the Wires and Applying the Holder (With Insert)
Next up is cutting the wires and applying the insert guide. The trick to
cutting the wires is that you want to do it at a sharp downward angle or to
cut them one-by-one in steps. The reason for this is because they will need
to be inserted into the insert guide and this is much easier to accomplished
if you only have to worry about one wire at a time. Once all 8 cables are in
the insert guide in the correct grooves move the insert guide down to the
base of where you originally cut the outer coating of the cable.
Step 4b: Cutting the Wires (Without Insert)
If an insert is unavailable be sure to hold the wires between your thumb and
forefinger tightly to keep them in order. Leave about a half inch of the
wires exposed and trim the excess length with wire cutters; then, slip on
the connector, making sure that the outer jacket is seated in the connector.
It may take a few tries to ensure the connectors are in the correct order
and are in position for crimping.
Step 5: Trimming the Cable and Slipping the Connector on the Cable
Now you're ready to slip on the connector. First you will want to trim
the cable to about a 1/4 inch past the insert guide(if using an insert). To
be safe it may be a good idea to leave a little bit more than 1/4 of an inch
on the first cut as it's easier to trim down if you don't need the
extra cable as oppose to not having enough. Once the cable is the correct
length, slip the connector on. The cables should slide in with very little
difficulty. Make sure each wire reaches all the way to the end of the
connector.
Step 6: Crimping the Connector
The last step is to actually crimp the connector. You may be asking "So
what's actually happening during the crimping process?"
The pressure you apply on the crimper will be applied to the pins as there
are 8 tiny metal prongs in the crimper that apply pressure to each of the 8
conductors on your cable. The pins in the connector are then pressed down
into contact with the 8 copper wires of the cable creating a connection.
Make sure you squeeze the crimper all the way down to ensure a connection.
The Finished Cable
Finally, repeat the process on the opposite side of the cable.
And there you have it, a completed DIY Ethernet patch cable!
As an option there are cable testers available such as our
NetTestE tool, which can
help test the cable after it's made.