want to make my own RJ45 network cables

CyberGhost

Hi,

as you probably have guessed from the topic name I want to maky my own cables, no no, I don't anyone to make them for me, I don't need cables, I want to learn to do them myself

I already have tutorial website bookmarks,

but...

I don't know where to get bulk cable(many different colour options would be great, but black and white is a must), connectors, Strain Relief Boots, and so on...I know where to get the cramp tool though

also what kind of cables to buy? UTP or STP? Cat 5 E or Cat5? there is also
MHz, Stranded or not? which AWG?

anyone wanna help out?

Random

Maplin or Komplett do the bits, to name but two.

UTP - unshielded twisted pair
STP - shielded twisted pair (basically shielded against interference)

UTP would proberly be the standard one.

Cat5e supports speeds of up to 1000Mbit (Gb) as opposed to Cat5 which goes up to 100Mbit.


There's not much to it really... 8 wires, 4 sets. One the sender and one the reciever. If you're just making standard patch cable (i.e. not crossover) then you don't even need to follow the color code, just make sure they're the same on both ends.

you'll also need a crimping tool... about E20 from Peats or Maplin....

The connectors are about 75c each and the cable can be as cheap as 50c per metre.


Hope that helps...

ranDom_tAsk

I'm in the same boat, I just got my-self a soldering iron and a multimeter in maplin last week, I doing some modifications on some mobile cables I have. I got some of my equipment from this guy in WestMeath aswell.

CyberGhost

Awesome, Thanks Ciaranfo!

one question is there a length(shortage) limit to streight through and crossover cables?
I want to connect a router to a switch which sits on top of it and wanted to make like 7-10cm crossover cable.

CyberGhost

Thanks for the link tAsk!

wolfman

And here he is!!!

Maplin is your best bet and the lads there will help you out. Go to the one in Blanch and down at the back of the shop, they have a counter for cables and stuff and they also have the crimpers and connectors etc

Random

CyberGhost wrote:

Awesome, Thanks Ciaranfo!

one question is there a length(shortage) limit to streight through and crossover cables?
I want to connect a router to a switch which sits on top of it and wanted to make like 7-10cm crossover cable.

As far as I know there's no minimum length.. it's however small you can make it really

CyberGhost

wolfman wrote:

And here he is!!!

Maplin is your best bet and the lads there will help you out. Go to the one in Blanch and down at the back of the shop, they have a counter for cables and stuff and they also have the crimpers and connectors etc

hehe, I love Blancherstown Maplin

Ciaranfo, gonna try it

Zoso

Pretty much as ciaranfo said.

If you're just learning then don't worry too much about the quality of the cable - buy a roll of fairly cheap cable and practice with that. Don't bother with stranded cable unless you need greater cable flexibility (which you probably don't) as solid core is that bit easier to work with when crimping. Once you've got the hang of it then you can worry about exactly which type of cable to use - but that really depends on the job in question.

If you're only learning then stick to the recommended cable color schemes for ethernet, ethernet crossover, E1, etc.. If you're going to do it then do it properly.

Also invest in a cheap and cheerful cable tester - a cable that might look right but is non functioning isn't exactly of much use to anyone.

It's easy once you get the hang of it but a real PITA if you're making lots of cables. It is worth it though - custom length cables are so much tidier (and easier to trace) in patching cabs.

Tenshot

ciaranfo wrote:

There's not much to it really... 8 wires, 4 sets. One the sender and one the reciever. If you're just making standard patch cable (i.e. not crossover) then you don't even need to follow the color code, just make sure they're the same on both ends.

Not really true: because Ethernet carries differential signals, it is important to ensure that the two pins associated with each signal are connected to a single pair in the cable, otherwise you can get lots of noise and crosstalk that will lead to unreliable operation - even in patch cables only 1-2M long.

I recommend always following the standard colour assignments, even when you don't have to - it gets you into the habit, and it also ensures that your cables won't look dodgy to other people.

Though I'm sure you already have it noted, the pairs in Europe are usually coloured:

1/2 - white-orange/orange
3/6 - white-green/green
4/5 - blue/white-blue
7/8 - white-brown/brown

If you hold the RJ45 plug so that the metal contacts are facing up and the cable end is towards you, then pin 1 is on the left and pin 8 is on the right. When you have the plug wired correctly, the wires will alternate between white and coloured as you look from left to right.

Pairs 1/2 and 3/6 are for Ethernet signals, 4/5 are usually used for analogue phones, and 7/8 are spare (can be handy for running a second phone line).

There are two types of cable: multi-strand and solid. Any of the 300M boxes of cable you buy will be solid; make sure your connectors are the correct type for solid as well. The stranded stuff is nasty to work with, though you do end up with more flexible cables; I would stick to solid core. (For cables that you will be plugged and unplugging a lot, as in a patch panel, you're better off buying ready-made patch cables, which are made with stranded cable and can be routed more easily.)

To strip the plastic outer sheath from the cable, I find the little cotton rippers used for sewing work very well - they're cheap (around 30 cents each) so no big deal if you accidentally break one. I get mine at the Blarney Woollen Mills shop by the Halfpenny Bridge, and usually buy 10-20 at a time.

Mainly, you just need to practice - the more you do it, the easier it gets and the better the results.

Deering Datacom on Cork Street are good value for cable, sockets, etc. Also check with CPC in the UK, who are happy to accept Irish orders on (01) 407 3092.

Random

Yes, a real (sp?) of cable will proberly set you back about E30... gives you about 100m to play with. Cable testers vary from about E30 to E50 and again, essential to know that your cable is working as expected.

As for the color codes... I guess it is good if you follow them to get into the habit, but once they match on either end, it doesn't matter to be fair

As for the sender/reciever, you need to make sure each one is with it's associated white cable.


Practice, practice, practice.

Tenshot

ciaranfo wrote:

As for the color codes... I guess it is good if you follow them to get into the habit, but once they match on either end, it doesn't matter to be fair

My point is that if you wire up a cable like this:

1/2 = orange pair
3/4 = green pair
5/6 = blue pair
7/8 = brown pair

then you will end up with an unreliable cable, even when both ends match neatly :-)

It's vital that the pairs (regardless of actual colours) are organised as 1/2, 3/6, 4/5 and 7/8, otherwise you're letting yourself in for a world of trouble.

(I once spent a full afternoon tracking down a network problem that eventually turned out to be caused by someone putting a 2M patch cable wired as above into our main patch panel.)

Random

Fair enough, I shall bow to your greater experience. :P

CyberGhost

Thanks guys!