|
The official standard for Cat 6 cabling is 200MHz (twice the
bandwidth of Cat 5) but most manufacturers test their Cat 6
patch cables up to 550MHz at 1 Gbps. Cat 6 cabling was created
to facilitate the future bandwidth requirements needed for streaming
multimedia applications.
Cat 6 follows
very strict rules in both the manufacturing process and in channel
requirements. Wiring must maintain a tight pair twist as close
to the connector/jack as possible. Category 6 channel requirements
specify that every component in a Cat 6 network must meet minimum
standards to ensure optimal performance. One method of differentiating
a Cat 6 patch cable from Cat 5e patch cable is by simply looking
the connector ends.
Some Cat
6 cables are constructed with a plastic spline separating the
pairs for better performance. Other manufacturers have found
different ways to achieve Cat 6 requirements, such as using
tighter pair twists. Either way, the construction of the cable
does not matter as long as Cat 6 standards are met.
How
to Make a Category 6 / Cat 6 Patch Cable
 |
568
- B Wiring
Pair
# |
Wire |
Pin
# |
1
- White / Blue |
White
/ Blue |
5 |
Blue
/ White |
4 |
2
- White / Orange |
White
/ Orange |
1 |
Orange
/ White |
2 |
3
- White / Green |
White
/ Green |
3 |
Green
/ White |
6 |
4
- White / Brown |
White
/ Brown |
7 |
Brown
/ White |
8 |
|
 |
568
- A Wiring
Pair
# |
Wire |
Pin
# |
1
- White / Blue |
White
/ Blue |
5 |
Blue
/ White |
4 |
2
- White / Green |
White
/ Green |
1 |
Green
/ White |
2 |
3
- White / Orange |
White
/ Orange |
3 |
Orange
/ White |
6 |
4
- White / Brown |
White
/ Brown |
7 |
Brown
/ White |
8 |
|
Notes for
wiring diagrams above:
1. For patch cables, 568-B wiring is by far, the most common
method.
2. There is no difference in connectivity between 568B and 568A
cables. Either wiring should work fine on any system.
3. For a straight through cable, wire both ends identical.
4. For a crossover cable, wire one end 568A and the other end
568B.
5. Do not confuse pair numbers with pin numbers. A pair number
is used for reference only (eg: 10BaseT Ethernet uses pairs
2 & 3). The pin numbers indicate actual physical locations
on the plug and jack.
Patch
Cable Assembly Instructions
| 1 |
If you are planning to use boots than slide them on to the
cable as shown. If you prefer not to use boots than start
from step 2. |
| 2 |
Skin
off approximately 1.5" of the cable's jacket. |
| 3 |
Partially
untwist the pairs leaving one twist remaining at the bottom
being sure not to untwist into the cable's jacket. Straighten
and organize the conductors to the diagram above. Note:
Choose 568B (most common) or 568A wiring. For crossover
see Below |
| 4 |
(Optional)
Cut the end of the conductors on an angle while holding
them in proper order. This will make it easier to install
the load bar on the next step. |
| 5 |
Slide
the conductors into the load bar in their proper order with
the hollow portion of the load bar facing the jacket. The
holes in the load bar alternate up and down. For that reason,
you may find it easier to insert the conductors one at a
time. This would be a good time to re-check |
| 6 |
Push
the load bar as far down as it will go. Then cut the conductors
straight across approximately 0.14" from the front
of the load bar. It is very important to get a very straight
and even cut. The use of a pair of Electrician's Scissors
is highly recommended. |
| 7 |
Pull
the load bar back up near to the cut end of the conductors.
Then slide wires and load bar into the connector body holding
it with the pins facing you. That is the way the wiring
diagrams above are shown so be sure to look at the color
order. A very slight amount of jiggling may be helpful to
make the wires find their slots in the connector body. |
| 8 |
Once
all of the wires have entered their slots firmly push the
connector body toward the cable. You will need to be sure
that a) the wires have reached the end of the connector
body, and b) that the cable's jacket is about half way into
the connector and past the first crimp point (the jacket
crimp). |
| 9 |
Crimp
the connector using a high quality crimp tool. |
| 10 |
Install
the connector on the other end of the cable. For a straight
through (standard) cable use the same wiring. To make a
crossover cable, wire one end using the 568A method and
the other end using the 568B method. |
| 11 |
Test
the cable for continuity and proper wiring using a high
quality cable tester |
Notes
Regarding Making Category 6 Patch Cable
1) The RJ-45 plugs are normally made for either solid conductors
or stranded conductors. It is very important to be sure that
the plug that you use matches the conductor type. It is extremely
difficult to tell the difference between the two by looking
at them. When you buy these plugs, be sure to categorize, and
store them carefully. Using the wrong type can cause intermittent
problems.
2) Ordinarily,
it would be taboo to untwist the pairs of any category 6 cable.
The one exception to this rule is when crimping on RJ-45 plugs.
It would be impossible to insert the wires into the channels
without first untwisting and straightening them. Be sure not
to extend the un-twisting, past the skin point.
3) If the
completed assembly does not pass continuity, you may have a
problem in one, or both ends. First try giving each end another
crimp. If that does not work, then carefully examine each end.
Are the wires in the proper order? Do all of the wires fully
extend to the end of the connector? Are all of the pins pushed
down fully. If the pins are not fully pushed down than it is
possible that your crimper may require adjustment or replacement.
Cut off the suspected bad connector, and re-terminate it. If
you still have a problem, then repeat the process, this time
giving more scrutiny to the end that was not replaced.
4) It is
good to be prepared to make your own patch cables. There may
be many instances where you may fall short on supply, and making
a cable will surely get you out of a jam. However, there comes
a point where the practicality curve will lead you to factory
made cables. Making several cables can be very labor intense.
Factory made cables typically have better tolerances, and consequently
have better quality than field made cables.
Controversies
and Caveats: Category 5, 5E, and Cat 6 Patch Cables
568B vs. 568A
- For patch cables, 568-B wiring is by far, the most common
wiring method. Virtually all pre-assembled patch cables are
wired to the B standard. There is no difference in connectivity
between 568B and 568A cables. Therefore, a 568B patch cable
should work fine on a 568A cabling system, and visa-versa. To
my knowledge, there has never been an issue with networks of
up to 100 megabits. However, with the advent of Gigabit over
copper cabling, it may very well become a factor at some point.
We have conferred with several cable manufacturers, and many
other technical resources, on this subject. The consensus is
that mixing of the standards on patch cables should not cause
a problem. Since Gigabit networks over copper cabling are in
their infancy, and no one can say for sure, we would advise
our customers to take the safe approach on all future patch
cable orders. We now offer our custom cat 5E and category 6
cables in both 568A and 568B wiring schemes for this reason.
Re-use
of old cables - We have seen this happen time and time
again. Perfectly good patch cables that have been working fine
for years, get removed from their installation, and re-installed
on the same, or different network. The result can be a nightmare.
What happens is that the cable, over time, adapts to the way
that it is bent in it's original installation. When these cables
are removed and re-installed, they can either completely loose
their connection, or develop intermittent problems. This is
due to stresses that may be opposite to what they were originally
subject to. If the integrity of your network is more valuable
than the price of new patch cables, then we strongly suggest
that you use brand new cables for all closet cleanups, network
moves, etc.
Stranded
vs. Solid wire - Almost all patch cables that are made
have stranded wire. Stranded wire is normally specified for
use in patch cables due to it's superior flexibility. There
has been some talk recently, in the technical sector of the
structured wiring community, regarding the possible use of solid
conductors for patch cables. The reason for the spotlight on
solid wire is that it is supposedly more stable, under a variety
of conditions. Please note that we now offer custom solid copper
category 5E patch cables in Plenum insulation in lengths of
up to 295 feet. These cables are suitable for use in air handling
(Plenum) ceilings and environments.
|
