Cat 6 cat 5 and cat 5e

[ukracer]

Looking to get some pass through Rj45 connectors as I have a reel of cable to use for running outside.

Just drugging to find out what the difference between the cat numbers.
They all plug into the same socket but it seems like they have different connectors.... which confuses me.

 

[Kram]

Different type of conductor, shielding and twist rate. Thats all they change to get much higher data rates out of the same standard, also cat 8 is compatable snd what I bought recently.
Cat6 might be thicker cable? Ive never messed about fitting connectors, much simpler to buy a premade one. Sorry not much help..

 

[ukracer]

Different type of conductor, shielding and twist rate. Thats all they change to get much higher data rates out of the same standard, also cat 8 is compatable snd what I bought recently.
Cat6 might be thicker cable? Ive never messed about fitting connectors, much simpler to buy a premade one. Sorry not much help..

Problem I have is identifying correct connectors for solid cat5e cable on amazon.
I am using connectors as outdoor cable comes on a drum. The 30metre cables I was using deteriorated over the years.

 

[Dave-sparks]

Problem I have is identifying correct connectors for solid cat5e cable on amazon.
I am using connectors as outdoor cable comes on a drum. The 30metre cables I was using deteriorated over the years.

If fitting to solid core then you will need RJ45 plugs specifically designed for solid core, most are designed for stranded cores and aren't always reliable on solid.

Solid core is normally terminated into an outlet or patch panel via a punch down connector.
Instead of a straight through connector you could terminate the solid core into a single cat5e outlet, then plug the ongoing cable into that outlet (assuming the ongoing cable already has a plug on it?)

 

[Dave-sparks]

They all plug into the same socket but it seems like they have different connectors.... which confuses me.

The connector is an RJ45 and they all have the same physical dimensions.
You can get shielded connectors for use with shielded cable (not usually necessary for home or office networking)
Some are rated to cat5e only and others are rated to cat6, I'm not certain there is actually much difference other than which approval the manufacturer has paid for.

 

[MetalMonkey]

If you are using solid core you want an IDC RJ45 connector which you punch down like this:

https://www.kenable.co.uk/en/networ...net-cable-connector-010612-5021196806080.html

If it is just a temporary non critical cable you can get away with the standard ends as a bodge.

However, if it is a reel of cable which you intend to use and roll up several times then you really want to be using stranded patch cable not solid core cable anyway.
Solid is intended for building infrastructure i.e. fit once.

Cat6 is thicker as it is shielded and as separator cross in the middle to keep the pairs separate.
It is also considerably more awkward to route.

You haven't said what it will be used for but I'd be 99.9% sure that cat5e will do just fine, and be cheaper!.

If you are using it outside you may want to look at neutrik rj45 connectors or something similar which are a bit more rugged.
If the cable is going to be left outside for any length of time you will need one that is rated for outdoor use as the normal internal stuff dies from UV exposure. It also doesn't like the wet.

 

[brightspark]

if its outside overhead or underground use the same stuff as bt use. its black and has 3 steel wires through it and as many copper cores as you require . its quite cheap of amazon and any length you require

 

[ukracer]

Ok guys. I already have the reel of cable. Its cat5e .
I did a bit of reading up and it seems Cat 6 is more about cable than plug with cross seperator etc.

It does seem there are thicker cores ( only slightly as its 23 as opposed to 24 in Cat 6.

I was aware of cable degradation in uv as that's what's happened to my old cables that run from the front where the router and 1st switch are.
One cable runs to the switch in the backroom and the other from that switch to the garage. (Yes I could run it direct but this gives me options in case)

So it's one time fixed cable outside and won't be moving.

I like the idea of fitting a termination box and running a patch cable from there to the switch etc.
I run my virgin box on modem mode to an Asus router as the WiFi is way better than the super hub.

 

[ukracer]

If fitting to solid core then you will need RJ45 plugs specifically designed for solid core, most are designed for stranded cores and aren't always reliable on solid.

Well this was my problem. I found some that cla m to do both but I like the idea of termination wall boxes.

 

[JoelC]

Just for Reference

CAT5e is Rated for 1Gb over 100 Meters, 10Gb over 10 Meters
CAT6 is rated for 1Gb over 100 Meters
CAT7 is the same as CAT6 but has the ability to use higher frequencies for transmission (600Mhz vs 250Mhz of CAT6)
CAT8 Supports 25Gb and 40Gb but to a max of 30 meters

Those are all specification maximums, but you can get 10 gig over CAT5e over 10 meters, its just not guaranteed to work

The cores are generally similar, but the twisting is tighter the higher you go, and some are also fully shielded, which required shielded plugs.

CAT7 and 8 are really unnecessary for home installations unless you are running high level AV over them, but most home equipment probably isn't ever going to get to a point where it maxes out either of them. IMO, its a waste of money in home situations, CAT5e is more than adequate.

Solid core is used for fixed installations, stranded for patch leads, solid core is designed not to be moved once in place, stranded is more flexible. Solid core tends to become brittle both if used as patch leads, and also if its moved after a long time in one position.

If you are terminating solid core, terminate into wall outlets, and then buy pre-made patch leads, just means that if they ever get damaged, they are replaceable without having to mess about with the fixed cabling.

 

[ukracer]

I can't seem to find any wall boxes that have screw fixings. I guess as most of the industry uses punch down fixings if its good enough for them it's good enough for me.
I just have never felt comfortable with punch down even when we used to fit our own telephone extensions.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Get a Krone style punch down tool and you shouldn't have an issue.
There is a bit of practice involved if you haven't done many, but a lot of the problem comes from using cheap and nasty insertion tools, or the end of a flat blade.

 

[JoelC]

I can't seem to find any wall boxes that have screw fixings. I guess as most of the industry uses punch down fixings if its good enough for them it's good enough for me.
I just have never felt comfortable with punch down even when we used to fit our own telephone extensions.

You'll not find any, punch downs are the way to go. Buy a proper tool, they are only about a tenner, not those cheap ass plastic BT ones, or buy keystones that are self punchdown

 

[Alan Reynolds]

Get a Krone style punch down tool and you shouldn't have an issue.
There is a bit of practice involved if you haven't done many, but a lot of the problem comes from using cheap and nasty insertion tools, or the end of a flat blade.

Or your credit card if your Krone decides to hide itself!

 

[MetalMonkey]

Or your credit card if your Krone decides to hide itself!

That's what clubcards are for, that and scraping ice off the windscreen.

 

[Dave-sparks]

I can't seem to find any wall boxes that have screw fixings. I guess as most of the industry uses punch down fixings if its good enough for them it's good enough for me.
I just have never felt comfortable with punch down even when we used to fit our own telephone extensions.

Screw terminals are not recommended for data connections like this as they can be more inconsistent in the amount of resistance they add to each connection. Plus there is a higher chance of the small conductor breaking off in the terminal.

 

[ukracer]

You'll not find any, punch downs are the way to go. Buy a proper tool, they are only about a tenner, not those cheap ass plastic BT ones, or buy keystones that are self punchdown

I found one...but its not in stock till 8th December so I went for punchdowns.
One one on stock so gotta wait till tomorrow for the other one. Lol

Stuff like this gets my goat. If you bother having a physical store as least have enough stock.
I can sort of accept rj45 as I don't buy them often but white 6-7mm clips not in stock....that's just pathetic.

 

[Dave-sparks]

if its outside overhead or underground use the same stuff as bt use. its black and has 3 steel wires through it and as many copper cores as you require . its quite cheap of amazon and any length you require

That's a bad idea for ethernet as BT cable isn't designed for carrying that kind of high speed data.
A duct grade cat5e or cat6 cable is what is required, and what the OP appears to have.

 

[ukracer]

Screw terminals are not recommended for data connections like this as they can be more inconsistent in the amount of resistance they add to each connection. Plus there is a higher chance of the small conductor breaking off in the terminal.

I sort of surmised that as BT was mainly knockdown. So that's why I succumbed. And purchased a Tool.

Hopefully it's the correct one...

 

[123hotchef]

I sort of surmised that as BT was mainly knockdown. So that's why I succumbed. And purchased a Tool.View attachment 321742

Hopefully it's the correct one...

that is a push in tool for the BT boxes for phone lines ect not for RJ45 terminals