Terminating CAT6

[Caveman]

I've heard that CAT6 wire can be terminated (punched down?) just like CAT5E, but the CAT6 wire done this way is not to the CAT6 standard.

As I understand, there are special CAT6 "keystones" on the ends of the CAT6 wires that feed the outlet boxes (the female keystones feed into the outlet faceplate)... What about the male part? Is that done with RJ45 or something else?

Please steer me right on this. Thanks.

 

[spidey07]

You can't crimp a cat6 RJ-45 end with a cat 6 cable.

Nor should you be doing this with cat5/5e.

I'm not trying to preach, but you've been sorely misinformed. Especially about the "punch down just like cat5" part. If you go to any of the manufacturers websites there should be some basic training to assist you. Anixter is a good reference if you can get throught the marketing fluff.

 

[Caveman]

You can't crimp a cat6 RJ-45 end with a cat 6 cable.

Nor should you be doing this with cat5/5e.

I'm confused...

http://www.tiaonline.org/standards/technology/cat6/faq.cfm

From the link:

If we use a Cat 5e RJ45 connector and connect it to a Cat 6 UTP cable, will the installation be Cat5e or Cat 6?

By definition (of the standard), it will be a Cat 5e channel. The actual performance will probably be somewhat better, but nowhere near Cat 6 requirements. Of course, you can set up a channel using any components and measure it using a Cat 6 (level III) compliant tester, and if it passes, it is Cat 6 performance compliant. It would not be standards compliant however, because the components have requirements in and of themselves to assure interoperability with other Cat 6 components.

Did you mean that you can crimp a CAT5 RJ45 end with a CAT6 cable?

 

[bruceb]

The plug ends for CAT 6 are simpler and easier to make up than a CAT 5 plug end
On at CAT 6 end the wires from the cable go thru a small plastic fanning strip to make
it very easy to get the colors in the correct order .. you then just make sure they are nice
and straight and the correct length before inserting in the plug and crimping. The fanning
strip will sit in the plug a bit deeper than where the insulation crimp is at .. Also you should
use a Ratcheting Full Cycle Crimper to insure that proper pressure is applied and the crimp is to specs

How to make a CAT6 cable: http://www.lanshack.com/make_cat_6_cable.aspx

Here is a link to CAT 6 spec Keystone Jacks: http://www.lanshack.com/Cat-6-Keystone-Jack--P2226C56.aspx

 

[Caveman]

Thanks! Please see my new thread on how to test for CAT5E or CAT6 compliance...

 

[spidey07]

You need a very expensive tester to check cat5e/6 compliance.

That's why it isn't recommended to make patch cables as most people don't have such a tester and have no idea what their cable is actually rated at.

 

[gwrober]

Originally posted by: bruceb
The plug ends for CAT 6 are simpler and easier to make up than a CAT 5 plug end
On at CAT 6 end the wires from the cable go thru a small plastic fanning strip to make
it very easy to get the colors in the correct order .. you then just make sure they are nice
and straight and the correct length before inserting in the plug and crimping. The fanning
strip will sit in the plug a bit deeper than where the insulation crimp is at .. Also you should
use a Ratcheting Full Cycle Crimper to insure that proper pressure is applied and the crimp is to specs

How to make a CAT6 cable: http://www.lanshack.com/make_cat_6_cable.aspx

Here is a link to CAT 6 spec Keystone Jacks: http://www.lanshack.com/Cat-6-Keystone-Jack--P2226C56.aspx

I don't remember the manufacturer, but I've made CAT5 cables with a similar structure - had a fanning/alignment bit that slid into the plug end....