It is required to terminate every Ethernet cable connector. Utilizing an RJ45 Connector is one option. See Choosing the Right Termination - Keystone Jack vs. RJ45 Connector vs. Field Termination Plug for some excellent background information on the best terminations to utilize throughout your installation (and why). Although there are some instances where using them is unavoidable, RJ45 8P8C connectors are actually not the ideal option for solid copper Ethernet wire. Due to installation restrictions, you can be forced to utilize this termination style, so it's in your best interest to know how to choose the proper one!

The kind and construction of the Ethernet cable connector to be run must be taken into consideration while choosing the appropriate 8P8C (also known as RJ45) connector. In a technical sense, the Category is unrelated. It all comes down to fit. In the fight for success, having the right information is half the battle, yet this can be challenging. Get suited, then!

To supplement the written portion of this blog with some practical examples, I've included a video. The video and reading should be viewed in tandem because both have something to offer.

Is a shielded connector necessary?

This one is simple. You should use shielded RJ45 connectors if the wire is shielded. Instead, utilize unshielded RJ45 connections if the cable is protected. If the fitting is correct from the start (which it probably won't be), using a shielded connector on an unshielded cable won't help. Since unshielded Ethernet cable conductors are frequently thinner than shielded conductors, shielded connectors that are typically "upsize" won't typically create proper electrical connections. Another thing to keep in mind is that its bad form to use protected RJ45 connectors on unshielded Ethernet wire since it can lead someone to believe the cable is likewise shielded.

You shouldn't use unshielded connectors on a shielded wire. For the cable shield to work correctly, shielded cables must have shielded connections (the outside of the metal connector functions as an extension of the cable shield and is used to bond to the ground).

Find the appropriate cable and plug online- 

Any dependable manufacturer will have comprehensive specifications and make them available. Avoid any manufacturer where the necessary information is not published because you will be playing a guessing game right away. They are probably just a reseller who will provide minimal to no assistance for their items, not a manufacturer.

For the best RJ45 connection, avoid shopping by category as this can be deceiving when combining parts from various vendors! Any RJ45 plug bag with the word "Category" on it may be deceiving in terms of the correct fit. If there is any association at all, it is minimal. Are you being misled as a customer? Not exactly. Manufacturers (who, for example, only produce plugs and not cables) who list a category on their plugs do so because they believe that consumers lack the technical knowledge necessary to make an informed decision. This is not just a little offensive, but it's also unclear. Unshielded RJ45 Plug, 3 prong for solid copper Ethernet cable connector, fits up to 7.00mm OD and 0.94 to 1.04mm insulated conductors, would be listed as a correctly documented and advertised plug. The "XYZ Manufacturer" did what, then? They marketed their plug as "Cat6," but they omitted all the crucial information, allowing you to guess.

Since we sell a system, true CABLE is an exception in this case. We go above and above by jointly testing our components. Therefore, all of our unshielded CatX Ethernet cables may accept a true CABLE CatX unshielded RJ45 plug (we will note exceptions as necessary). If you choose not to use the true CABLE  brand over Ethernet cable, we thoroughly detail our connection gear to allow you to make an informed decision.

What you need to know about the Ethernet cable is this:

• The Ethernet cable's outer diameter is measured in OD (the overall thickness). Typically, this is stated in millimeters (mm).

• Similar to conductor diameter, conductor insulation diameter is frequently given in millimeters and consists of the conductor wire itself plus the thickness of the insulation.

• whether the cable has stranded or solid conductors

• AWG copper gauge

To choose the best RJ45 connector, you must understand:

• The maximum cable jacket OD the plug can take

• The range of conductor insulation diameters that the plug can accommodate

• whether the plug has two or three prongs. Both stranded and solid copper conductors can be used with three-prong plugs. Plugs with two prongs only operate with stranded copper.

• AWG copper gauge

Observe the potential tolerances (-/+) for the Ethernet cable's conductor insulation diameter. Choose an RJ45 plug such that the nominal diameter of the insulated conductors in the cable you intend to use matches the middle of the plug's fitting range. This will aid in taking into consideration any variations in manufacturing tolerance that can and do happen.

To better understand what we want, let's look at the specification sheets that trueCABLE publishes. Assuming you're looking for the right RJ45 for our Cat6 Riser Unshielded Ethernet cable in bulk:

• The diameter of the conductor insulation is 0.96mm.

• The overall cable thickness, or cable jacket, is 5.90mm.

• 23AWG solid copper conductors are used in the cable.

With those specifications in hand, we would then need to select the true cable Cat6/6A Pass-Through RJ45 connector (if you wish to use pass through).

Ideal Techniques

• When utilizing solid copper Ethernet, never try to make an Ethernet patch cable with hand-crimped RJ45 plugs on both ends. For this, get OEM pre-terminated patch cords. If you're in a bind and trying to make a patch cable out of solid copper bulk Ethernet cable, utilise field termination plugs at both ends.

• Reduce the number of hand-terminated RJ45 connectors as much as possible.

• When RJ45 connectors are required, staggered load bar standard (solid-nosed) RJ45 plugs are strongly advised for Cat6A terminations. When operating at 10Gb/s, Cat6A must be pushed to 500MHz, which results in significant cross-talk (NEXT) at the connector. I can obtain a 5.0 dB better NEXT parameter when utilizing our Cat6/6A RJ45 standard connector plugs than when using our straight-across pass-through variety while testing with our Fluke DSX-8000. By doing this, you can choose to operate dependably at 10G or remain at 1G. Our Cat6A Field Termination Plug is a superior choice for high-speed connections that require a male end.

• Choose the medium price when purchasing cable and connectors from various suppliers! For instance, choose an RJ45 socket with an insulated conductor range of 0.95 to 1.05mm if your Ethernet cable's stated insulated conductor diameter is 1.00mm. It also allows for tolerance fluctuations from lot to lot, which on Ethernet cable can vary as much as +/-.05mm, giving you the optimum fit and performance.

• It is highly advised to use cable strain relief boots to help prevent cable shift at the back of the RJ45 connector, stabilizing the mechanical connection and subsequently the electrical one. The termination is always the system's weakest link. Strain relief boots help you remember the cable bend radius while relieving additional strain on the termination connectors.

• Purchase more connectors than you require. To make sure you can use the connections, it is a good idea to test terminate (crimp) them onto the cable. Additionally, you may just utilize any excess if you make a poor crimp. Even the most skilled installers occasionally make a poor crimp.

• Practice as much as you can if you are new to this type of exercise. You will improve as you produce more terminations.

• If you do make a mistake with the termination, the connector is useless and cannot be used again.

Conclusion: 

When the wires do not adhere to the necessary standards, RJ45 connector problems commonly occur. People who want to work on their own cable connectors should pay close attention to the proper wiring in order to reduce complications. Without a connector, Ethernet cable patch cords are useless. Choose carefully when placing an order or purchasing an RJ45 connector because it must fit within the contact area and require technicalities.