How To Make A Network Cable

This is my guide on how to make an Ethernet cable. Ofttimes but referred to every bit a network cable or patch cable. Making your own Ethernet cables will not only cut downward the price of your cables. Yous tin besides make the Ethernet cables in the verbal length and with the verbal wiring you lot demand. Use this guide if you are making Ethernet cables for personal or professional use.

First, some data about the Ethernet cables, connectors and wiring. If you are already familiar with this, you can become direct to the guide:

How to brand an Ethernet cable ⇓.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this mail are chapter links and if y'all go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. I link to these products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to purchase something is completely upwards to you 🙂

What is an Ethernet cable?

An Ethernet cable is the cables used to connect devices in an Ethernet network. The Ethernet cables are used for wired data transmission between the devices. The Ethernet is a series of standards for communication between devices like computers. They tin can even be really good for wiring analog PLC inputs and outputs, because of the twisted pairs and the shielding.

You probably know it from your own local surface area network. The Ethernet standards are used in most computers, both personal computers, and servers. But y'all can also observe the Ethernet standards in the automation manufacture. As an example of that PROFINET, the sister to PROFIBUS uses the Ethernet over twisted pair cabling to communicate between PLCs. Ethernet over twisted pair is what we are going to use to make an Ethernet cable.

Ethernet over twisted pair

The Ethernet networks employ twisted-pair cables for wired communications. Twisted pair cables are cables where the wires inside are twisted along the cable in pairs. The reason for twisting the wires in pairs is to cancel out any electrical noise or electromagnetic interference (EMI) from outside.

Networks are normally vulnerable to dissonance. Particularly when the commutation is over longer distances. Twisting the wires in pairs is washed to exercise differential mode transmission on the signals to equal out the noise.

At that place are several types of twisted-pair Ethernet cables are available. The UTP, STP, and some others. They are all different and used in different environments depending on the level of electric interference.

UTP cables

UTP ways Unshielded Twisted Pair. These cables are without a shield effectually the wires or the wire pairs. UTP cables are sometimes used for patch cables in-abode or office environments.

But they are never used in industrial or noisy environments considering they are vulnerable to noise. Fifty-fifty though the wires are twisted, the signals are even so vulnerable to in environments with a lot of electrical interference.

STP cables

STP means Shielded Twisted Pair. STP cables are a commonly used proper name for all the shielded twisted pair cables. Depending on how the shielding is done in the cable, yous can get several types of twisted pair cables with a shield. STP refers to all the cables with either a shield or a foil to protect the signals from noise.

Also the shield, the foil is besides used in twisted pair cables. Foil or FTP (Foiled Twisted Pair) is a layer of metal foiled around either all the wires, all the pairs of wires, or both.

All these types of twisted pair cables are bachelor with different specifications. The cables are available with stranded wires our solid-core wires. Stranded wires are flexible wires. This is because the wires are divided into many smaller wires. On the other mitt, solid cadre wires are solid wires and are not very flexible. Solid cadre wires are usually used in a stock-still installation.

Twisted pair cable comes with different wire thicknesses. The usual ones are 22 and 24 AWG. If you lot are going to make longer Ethernet cables yous should use twisted-pair cables with the highest AWG number. As the cables get longer, so does the resistance. If you use thicker wires the resistance will be lower. Remember, the higher the resistance, the slower your network connectedness will be.

Ethernet cable categories – True cat cables

The cables used for making Ethernet cables are divided into categories. Each category is defined by the bachelor bandwidth and used for different purposes. For example, category 3 or cat3 cables are used for telephone connections. All the cable categories for twisted pair cables are defined in ISO 11801.

The Ethernet cables this guide aims for are the ones using RJ45 connectors in the ends. They are the ones yous can brand by yourself. For that, y'all will be using one of the post-obit cablevision categories.

Cat5 Ethernet cable

Used for short distances in LAN (100Base-Tx).

Category v cables or cat5 Ethernet cables are normally used in noise safe environments. They can support up to 100 Mbit/s. Since cat3 and cat4 cables are not used for Ethernet cables, cat5 is the slowest Ethernet cable you can make.

Cat5e Ethernet cable

Getting a piffling amend with faster transmission speed (1000Base-T).

This category is a subcategory or an extension of category 5. This category has almost the same specifications equally cat5, except for some limits in for example the return loss. This makes faster network speed bachelor. That is why cat5e cables are faster than cat5 cables.

Cat6 Ethernet cable

Now, we are there! Suitable for up to 10GBASE-T.

Providing upward to x Gbit/s, category 6 cables are the fastest ones. Still no fiber connection, though. But cat6 cables are the fastest Ethernet cables you lot can make.

You tin encounter a comparison of the cable categories 3 to 7, which are used for Ethernet. Yous can larn more about Cat 6 cables here.

RJ45 connector

The connector used for twisted-pair Ethernet cables is chosen RJ45 connectors. RJ45 is the mutual proper noun, but they can also be referred to as 8 Position 8 Contact or 8P8C.

RJ45 is a connector with 8 pins. One for each wire in a typical Ethernet cable with four pairs of wires. The RJ45 connector is a one-way connector. This ways that on superlative of the connector in that location is a small you tin merely connect it in one way. Here is how the RJ45 pinout looks:

When you make an Ethernet cable it is important to know where each pin # is. Considering, when you connect an Ethernet cable to an RJ45 connector yous will be using a crimp tool.

When you lot have crimped the connector there is no way back. And then the wires better are in the correct place, or you'll have start over again. Make sure to have some connectors for practice.

RJ45 UTP connector

The first type of RJ45 connector you tin use to make Ethernet cables are the UTP connector. Equally with the cables UTP just means shielded twisted pair. This is because the UTP connectors have no shield, and are entirely made out of plastic.

The RJ45 UTP connector is the simplest ane to work with since you do not take to worry about the shield. You can utilize it with both shielded and shielded twisted pair cables.

100 of these UTP connectors can exist picked up for a nifty price on Amazon.

The pins in an RJ45 connector are fabricated with a sharp edge to cutting into the wires and thereby making an electrical connectedness.

RJ45 STP connector

The other option you take, when yous are making your Ethernet cable is the RJ45 STP connector. The STP connector is made out of plastic but like the UTP connector. Merely the STP connector has a metallic shield or metal housing effectually the connector.

A pack of 100 costs can be purchased on Amazon.

RJ45 crimp tool

To brand the electrical connection we need to insert the wires in the RJ45 connector and press down the pins. This is done with the RJ45 crimp tool. The tool will also apply force per unit area to the opening of the connector, to secure the cablevision.

Yous can pick upward a quality (just cheap) RJ45 crimp tool here on Amazon. Or you tin can read reviews on the all-time RJ45 crimper on the market.

Ethernet Cable Wiring

The wiring of Ethernet cables can exist done in several ways. Two of the most common means are by following the T568A and B standards. The reason for using these standards is that the signals will run in the pairs of wires; in a way that takes reward of the noise-canceling effect of twisted wires. Using the standards as well makes it very easy to make a crossover Ethernet cable.

T568A Wiring

The first wiring standard is the T568A. It is also referred to just as A. Each wire color has its own pin number position.

Here is how the T568A wiring to an RJ45 connector looks similar:

Source: Wikipedia

T568B Wiring

T568B is the other standard. The departure from the A standard is that the orange and green pairs are swapped. You tin come across the T568B wiring below:

Source: Wikipedia

Direct-through Ethernet cable

Ethernet cables can be fabricated in two different ways. The outset mode is chosen straight-through and is the simplest ane. Directly-through means that the cable is wired equally in both ends. The wires go from ane pin number to the same pin number.

To brand a straight-through Ethernet cable yous tin can employ either T568A or T568B. As long as you employ the same standard in both ends of your cablevision.

If you are extending an existing network, you should ever check which wire standard is used for straight-through cables and proceed that. Also, y'all should be consistent in your choice, and so using the same standard for all your cables.

Ethernet crossover cablevision

The second type of cable y'all tin can make is the crossover Ethernet cable. Ethernet crossover cables are made for one special reason. Namely to swap the wires used for sending and receiving data.

For example in an RJ45 connector on a computer, each pin # has a defined role. Two of the pins are for sending information, and two of the pins are for receiving data. When you want to connect 2 computers yous are going to need an Ethernet crossover cable.

Swapping the ii wires for sending and receiving information at 1 terminate of the cablevision, will make the right connections. Y'all volition make a connexion between the pins used for sending in the one computer and the pins used for receiving on the other computer.

Ethernet crossover cables are used when connecting similar devices.

Similar devices have the send and receive at the same pivot numbers.

The most common way to make an Ethernet crossover cable is to use T568A in i terminate of the cablevision and use T568B at the other end of the cable. This is the other reason that these standards are so useful.

Because the deviation between the A and B standard is two swapped wire pairs. The exact pairs used for sending and receiving data.

The wiring diagram above shows how an Ethernet crossover cablevision looks like. The crossover cablevision is connected with the A and B standard in each end.

How to make an Ethernet cable

There are some things in life that are also complex (or dangerous) to make yourself – such equally a whole house surge protector or electrical circuit tracer. An ethernet cable is not i of these things.

You don't need an electrical engineering science caste or an electrical apprenticeship to make 1 either – it's a lot more unproblematic than information technology looks!

Don't believe me? Well before you make upwards your listen, take a await at the video tutorials below or read the step by step guide below on how to make an Ethernet cablevision.

The first video is on how to make an Ethernet cable using RJ45 UTP connectors:

The second video is on how to brand an Ethernet cable with shielded RJ45 connectors or STP connectors.

Ethernet cable tutorial – Step by step

1. The first thing to do is to strip the cable then at least 2 cm or near an inch of the wires are visible. Employ a gwood wire stripper or knife. Be aware non to cut the isolation of the wires. In the beginning, it might be a good idea to strip a piddling the cable and then the wires are a little longer. Information technology will make the next step easier.
2. Untwist all the wires and straighten them out. This can be done past using your fingers or nails.
3. At present, you accept to layout the wires in the correct color order – A or B. Place the cablevision between your pollex and index finger, and then only the wires are visible. Put the wires in the order you need.
4. While even so holding the cable with the wires in the right order, cutting the length of the wires downwards to 13 mm.
5. With your other hand hold the RJ45 connector and so the pin numbers align with the respective wires. Brand sure that you lot hold the RJ45 connector the right way, then the pin numbers are aligned correctly.
6. Insert the wires slowly into the RJ45 connector. Each wire should observe its own track leading it to the pivot. This tin can exist a tricky step and yous might need to repeat steps 2 and iii.
7. Brand sure that each wire is at the correct pin number (learn more than about RJ45 pinouts)
8. Press the cable into the RJ45 connector until all the wires are visible at the front end of the connector.
9. Place the RJ45 connector in the RJ45 plug on your crimp tool. When you are sure that the connector is connected, press the crimp tool. Brand sure to printing all the manner down.
10. At concluding, make a visual inspection to see if the wires are connected and in the correct lodge. You should also pull slightly in the connector, to run across if the cable has been secured.

Call up, information technology can exist tricky in the outset, especially with the thick wires. But practice makes better, and eventually, you lot will even commencement to enjoy making Ethernet cables.

If you enjoyed my guide on how to brand an Ethernet cable or if you have whatever tips from your ain experience, don't hesitate to comment below or write to me.

Source: https://www.plcacademy.com/how-to-make-an-ethernet-cable/

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