Have you ever needed a short Ethernet cable, but all the ones you have are way too long? Wrapping up the excess is an option, but for a cleaner look, you can easily make your own custom-length network cables. By crimping your own Ethernet cables, you can create them in the exact lengths you require.
Not only is it more convenient to crimp your own when you need a variety of lengths, it’s also much more cost-effective than buying pre-made cables. For example, a 1,000-foot spool of bulk Ethernet cable costs around $60, plus a few dollars for a bag of RJ45 connectors. That comes out to way less per foot than purchasing pre-made 10 or 25 foot cables.
What You Need to Crimp Ethernet Cables
Before you get started, make sure you have these essential tools and materials:
- Bulk Ethernet cable (Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6)
- RJ45 connectors
- RJ45 crimping tool
- Wire cutters or scissors
- Cable stripper (optional but helpful)
- RJ45 boots (optional, for strain relief)
Step-by-Step Guide to Crimping Ethernet Cables
Step 1: Measure and Cut the Cable to Length
Measure out the length of Ethernet cable you need, adding a bit extra for any mistakes. Remember, the maximum length for Ethernet is 300 feet.
Use your scissors or cable cutters to cleanly cut the cable to the desired length.
Step 2: Strip the Cable Jacket
Use a cable stripper or carefully use your scissors to remove about 1-2 inches of the outer jacket at the end of the cable. Be careful not to nick or cut the wires inside.
If your cable has a spline or string inside, trim it off as well.
Step 3: Untwist the Wire Pairs
Inside the cable, you’ll see 8 wires twisted into 4 pairs of different colors. Untwist each pair so you have 8 individual straight wires.
Flatten and straighten the wires as much as possible. This is the trickiest part and requires some patience!
Step 4: Arrange the Wires in the Correct Order
To ensure your Ethernet cable works, you must put the wires into a specific order before crimping. The most common standards are T568A and T568B, which just switch the green and orange pairs.
For this guide, we’ll use T568B. Arrange the wires left-to-right like so:
- White/Orange
- Orange
- White/Green
- Blue
- White/Blue
- Green
- White/Brown
- Brown
Carefully flatten the wires together between your fingers while keeping them in the correct order. Trim the wires so they are even and about 1/2 inch long from the end of the jacket.
Step 5: Insert Wires Into the RJ45 Connector
Slide the RJ45 connector onto the wires, making sure each wire goes into an individual channel. The connector will only go on one way.
Push the wires firmly into the connector so they fully reach the end. The cable jacket should extend into the connector for a secure crimp.
Double check the wire order is still correct before proceeding.
Step 6: Crimp the Connector
Place the RJ45 connector into the crimping slot of your crimping tool and squeeze the handles firmly. The crimper will push pins down into the wires to pierce them and hold the connector in place.
Give the connector a tug to make sure it is securely crimped. If it comes off, you’ll need to start over. If it holds, slide an RJ45 boot on if desired for extra strain relief.
Repeat the process on the other end of the cable and you’re done! Use a cable tester if you have one to verify all connections are good.
Summary
Creating custom Ethernet cables is easy with the right tools and a little practice. By crimping your own, you can make cables in any length you need while saving money compared to pre-made ones.
The keys are to arrange the wires in the correct order, firmly seat the wires into the RJ45 connector, and make a solid crimp. With those steps mastered, you’ll be making perfect custom network cables in no time!
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