If you run a lot of Ethernet cable, it is usually cheaper to build your own. Building Ethernet cables in bulk is easy and inexpensive. All you need is a crimper, jacks, cable, and a pair of scissors or cable cutter/stripper.
There are two standards for Ethernet cables, TIA568A (ISDN) and TIA568B(AT&T). There is no real different between the two and for internal networking, pick one and stick with it. Most commercial cables that I have seen follow 568B. Though there does seem to be a push to move to 568A.
- Measure out a length of cable to meet your needs
- Strip off about an inch of the Ethernet cable sheath, be careful not to cut the conductors
- Untwist the pairs
- Align the colored wires according to the wiring diagrams below and the standard you are following.
- Insert the wires into the RJ45 plug to make sure they line up
- Remove the wires from the plug and trim so that they are all even and the sheath can be fully inserted in the plug
- Insert the wires into the RJ45 plug again, check the wires are in the correct locations and the sheath is fully inserted
- Crimp the plug with the crimper tool
- Verify that the sheath is held in place by the crimp and the wires made contact with the metal contacts
- Repeat with other side
| Pin | T568A Pair | T568B Pair | Wire | T568A Color | T568B Color | Pins on plug face (socket is reversed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 2 | tip | white/green stripe |
white/orange stripe |
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| 2 | 3 | 2 | ring | green solid |
orange solid |
|
| 3 | 2 | 3 | tip | white/orange stripe |
white/green stripe |
|
| 4 | 1 | 1 | ring | blue solid |
blue solid |
|
| 5 | 1 | 1 | tip | white/blue stripe |
white/blue stripe |
|
| 6 | 2 | 3 | ring | orange solid |
green solid |
|
| 7 | 4 | 4 | tip | white/brown stripe |
white/brown stripe |
|
| 8 | 4 | 4 | ring | brown solid |
brown solid |
|
| Wikipedia | ||||||
References:
Ethernet crossover cable
How to Make a Network Cable
How To Make Your Own Ethernet Cables
How to wire Ethernet Cables
TIA/EIA-568
UTP Cable Termination Standards 568A Vs 568B
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