Cat6 connector on cat5e cable

[taq8ojh]

Is this ok to do? Logic says it should, but considering the specific nature of computer hardware...
The thing is, I had to disassemble and reassemble our antenna because of roof work, and the (probably) cat5 connectors I had saved from who knows when just bloody wouldn't click in and hold fast in the antenna socket. I remembered I bought a small pack of cat6 connectors for when I redo the cabling in the house, and finally the damn thing held.

 

[QuietDad]

Same cable, different insulation and tighter twists on Cat6

 

[imagoon]

They are not always the same gauge. 23/24 gauges are common and the connector should be the same size.

Granted I generally consider primping ends on ethernet cables the wrong way to do it but this is a roof install? If so make sure to use the right connecter and tool.

 

[taq8ojh]

I am not familiar with the terminology in english, what does gauge mean?

Yea it's roof install, and there was no way I could use premade cable. I also bought special purpose cable with black and apparently thicker insulation, because the clowns who initially installed the antenna used normal UTP cable which basically fossilized.

 

[imagoon]

I am not familiar with the terminology in english, what does gauge mean?

Yea it's roof install, and there was no way I could use premade cable. I also bought special purpose cable with black and apparently thicker insulation, because the clowns who initially installed the antenna used normal UTP cable which basically fossilized.

Gauge is the wire size. As long as you crimp it well and secure it inside the antenna it should be fine. Issues appear when the antenna moves and the cable isn't secured. It puts the stress on the connector and causes the copper to break inside.

 

[taq8ojh]

Ah, I am perfectly fine then.

Next up will be redoing cables in the whole house to cat6, so I have lots of fun ahead.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

You should be fine, but remember that when using different CAT versions in a single cabling run, it is only technically the spec of the lowest end part used. For example if you use 200ft of CAT6 and a CAT6 patch cable, but a patch panel has a CAT5e block, then the entire run is only really CAT5e

 

[ZippyDan]

Yea it's roof install, and there was no way I could use premade cable.

As a general rule, when running bulk length cable, I NEVER crimp masculine ends (plugs). There are just too many things that can go wrong, it is more difficult to visually verify the quality of the crimp, AND if you do have a bad crimp, you can't reuse the plug. With a jack or surface mount box or patch panel, you individually punch each wire one by one, you can visually inspect the quality of the punch, and if you happen to screw up, you can just repunch only the necesary wires and reuse the same termination.

It is much better to only terminate with feminine ends and use factory-made patch cables.

As for the difference between Cat5/5e and Cat 6, you will often find that Cat6 has thicker insulation, it may sometimes have a structural core, and the individual wire may also be a slightly different gauge or have slightly thicker insulation as well. All of this means that the terminations for Cat6 usually have to be a little more accomodating. Depending on the Cat5/5e cable you are using, you may find that a Cat6 connector will end up being a little too loose. Conversely, you will often find it impossible to crimp a Cat6 cable using Cat5/Cat5e termiantions.