Common Mistakes Made In Cat 5 Cabling
There are many ways in which Cat 5 cabling may go wrong. The most common issues
are with crosstalk interference that can hamper connectivity, or a total absence
of connectivity. In most cases, these problems occur due to the faulty methods
in which the Cat 5 cabling has been done.
Here we tackle some of the common mistakes that are done in Cat 5 cabling:-
- Many mistakes are done during the unsheathing of the outer jacket. The unsheathing
has to be done swiftly and finely so that the outer sheath is completely out,
but at the same time none of the internal wiring must be damaged. If there
is even a single nick, or if the inside copper wire is exposed, then it could
lead to problems of crosstalk interference. This will give garbled connectivity,
or worse, no connectivity at all.
- Some measurements need to be followed strictly so that the internal wires
crimp properly into the RJ-45 plug. While sheathing, keep an exposed length
of about 1.25 inches. Later, after untwisting and flattening the wires in
the proper color sequence, they have to be cut again at an even length so
that they house themselves properly into the RJ-45 plug. Here, they should
be laid straight and then cut in a single stroke maintaining about 0.75 inches
of their exposed lengths from the base of the outer jacket. Even when locating
the cable inside the RJ-45 plug, care must be taken so that at least 0.25
inches of the jacket enters the plug so as to allow for crimping. If it does
not, then the sheath must be adjusted back and forth.
- Maintaining the proper color sequence is of the highest importance. The
most commonly used Cat 5 cabling nowadays is for Ethernet connectivity with
computers, where the 568 B cable connection is used. Considering this one,
the right color sequence is (from the left, keeping the latch of the plug
at the bottom) - orange/white, orange, green/white, blue, blue/white, green,
brown/white and brown. The wires could displace themselves at any point in
the connecting process. Hence, make sure that the color sequence is maintained
at every point.
- If there is a white rip cord, then it must be cut evenly from the base of
the outer jacket and disposed before the wires are cut for insertion into
the RJ-45 plug. The rip cord is generally very strong, so it should not be
forced with the hands, but it must be cut. If it is forced, it might tamper
with the entwining of the internal twisting and cause interference in connectivity.
- A good Cat 5 cabling connection is that which remains entwined in the right
manner up to the base of the RJ-45 plug. Hence, care must be taken not to
disturb the twisting of the inside wiring in any way. It may lead the crosstalk
interference.
- If the connection is for a crossover Cat 5 cabling connection, then only
the orange and green wires must be exchanged in the color sequence. The blue
and brown must remain untouched. Some amateur people would even swap the blue
and brown ones, which could result in damage to the device.
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