Ethernet cables are used for LANs and can be wired using Category 5, 5e, 6, or 7 cable. Wire cutters, RJ45 plugs, and a crimper are needed. The cable can be solid or braided, and each cable has eight color-coded wires. RJ45 plugs and jacks have different types for stranded or solid wires. To connect, cut the cable jacket, line up the wires by color, insert into the RJ45 socket, crimp the plug, and repeat for the second connector.
An Ethernet cable is used to manage local area networks (LANs). An Ethernet cable is long and contains many wires. Wiring this type of computer cable involves gathering materials, sorting out the wires, and connecting the system to the Ethernet jack. The materials can be found at most computer or electrical supply stores.
The cable for cabling should be Category 5, 5e, 6, or 7 cable. Category 5 is for basic functionality, while 5e is for gigabit operation, and 6 and 7 should be used for future testing. Wire cutters are also needed to modify the cable as needed. Patch cables require RJ45 plugs and an RJ45 crimper, while hard-wiring requires RJ45 jacks and a 110 punch tool. A wire stripper and cable tester are recommended, but an Ethernet cable can be wired fine without these items.
The cable itself is available in solid or braided form. Braided is more flexible and easier to work with and is generally recommended for patch wiring. Solid cable should be used for longer cable extensions in one location. Each cable contains eight color-coded wires in four pairs. Each pair contains one white thread and one colored thread and the threads are twisted tightly together to avoid interference of any kind.
The RJ45 plug looks like a telephone jack, and there are two different types, depending on whether the cable is stranded or solid. With stranded wires, the connector should have sharp points that pierce the wire, while solid wire should use a connector with points that grip the wire on both sides. Choosing the right type of plug is crucial, as choosing the wrong one will ruin the wiring of the Ethernet cable. RJ45 jacks are for use with solid cable only and are color coded for easy reference.
To connect the Ethernet cable to your computer network, first cut 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the cable jacket using the wire cutters. Next, unwind the pairs of threads and line them up by color. Cut all the wires to the same length, leaving about 1.3cm of wire exposed, and insert the wires into the RJ45 socket, making sure they are in the correct order. Use the RJ45 crimper to crimp the plug and make sure the wires come to the front of the plug, touching the metal contact in the plug. Now cut the cable and repeat the procedure for the second RJ45 connector.
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