Update: thank you all for your detailed and kind input! I finally tried crimping on an 8P8C connector onto an Ethernet cable. I failed. Miserably. But at least I finally learned what’s actually happening - or what’s supposed to happen: the teeth of the connector actually puncture the individual wires in order to make contact with the conductors inside. Sic. But omg is it a game of patience. 🤣

I actually just want to shorten one that I’m already using. 😊

  • MuttMutt@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    6 days ago

    Crimping cables is pretty easy once you get the hang of it.

    I don’t use our advocate pass-through ends for 2 reasons. One is they cost more. Two they allow easier moisture ingress which can cause signal issues.

    Use a tool to strip about 2 inches of the outer jacket away. Separate the conductors into individual wires and remove anything else, if the cable has a plastic separator pull it while holding the cable jacket, I usually try to pull out till it stretches to around 6 inches, then squeeze the jacket and clip it off as close to the wires as possible. When you release the pressure the plastic separator will pull back into the jacket. You may have to fold the wires out of the way.

    Check the color code on the opposite end. It will be either TIA/EIA A or B

    Untwist the pairs and then grab the jacket with one hand and the wires with the other using your thumb and the side of your index finger and pull the wires through while rocking your hand back a few inches. After a couple passes the wires will straighten out. Make your wires lay out according to the color code and given them another pull or two to get them straight. The whole time you should be keeping pressure on the jacket so the wires don’t move or shift.

    Make sure you have your crimper and end handy. Move your grip about an inch from the end of the jacket. Get everything laid out and adjusted. Grab the rj45 and set it at the end of the jacket where the end of the wires land is where you will want to cut the wires off. Once the wires are cut slip the connector on and check that a wire didn’t shift. All the wires should press against the end of the connector on the issue. Once they are set and you are happy with the connection crimp the end on.

    A couple tips.

    You can compress or stretch the jacket, not the wires.

    You truthfully want the jacket to slip into the base of the RJ45 so that when you crimp the little plastic clip bites on to it.

    Pulling the wires to straighten them can be a pain, just work it. Sometimes a side to side movement while pulling can help.

    If your finger starts to hurt you can try a pencil or a piece of plastic as a guard. After 10 or 15 ends it probably will be sore.