Ethernet crimping tips

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Steveow

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#2564170 15-Sep-2020 08:15

The other thing you need to look at is the die on your crimp tool. With use they sometimes get damaged-the grooves get worn or bent.

mdf

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#2564269 15-Sep-2020 11:18

Thanks all. I fished one failed effort out of the f*** it bucket. If memory serves, only pins 1, 5 and 6 worked on this one:

Really hard to see.

Can "over" crimping cause problems? Because of previous issues I think I gave this one a few squeezes "to make sure it was on tight".

webwat

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#2573133 24-Sep-2020 00:28

chevrolux: By failures, you mean you put a tester on and get missing pairs?

One big squeeze is all they need. And not even a particularly big one, just close the tool.

Second thing that comes to mind is the correct plug for the type of cable. Cat 5e vs Cat 6 and solid vs stranded wire

Usually the fails are because the wire didn't go all the way to the end of the plug, probably you didn't straighten the wires before putting them in the insert, or didn't push the insert all the way up to the cable jacket. The tool is fine.

You also need to check if your plugs match the type of cable. Solid cable needs different plugs than stranded cable. You will notice the ones for solid cable have a tiny skewed split in the spikes, usually 3-way. Stranded plugs are just 2 straight spikes.

Time to find a new industry!

mattwnz

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#2573141 24-Sep-2020 02:12

mdf:

Thanks all. I fished one failed effort out of the f*** it bucket. If memory serves, only pins 1, 5 and 6 worked on this one:

Really hard to see.

Can "over" crimping cause problems? Because of previous issues I think I gave this one a few squeezes "to make sure it was on tight".

I am far from an expert, and just use some a cheap Chinese tools I purchased off trademe. But I have never had any problems with crimping and they all work fine. So I am wondering if it is the tool the OP is using. I do know that some of the cheap Chinese crimpling tools can cause problems too, and may not crimp all the pins.

I am wondering based on your photo, if the blue outer sheath doesn't go too far in, eg the stands going into the groves are too short. The strands going into the outer pins are at increased angles than I would normally have them, due to the sheath being too far up and into the plug. So I am wondering if that is causing extra stress on the strands and the strands to pull pack a little bit.

mattwnz

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#2573142 24-Sep-2020 02:14

webwat:

You also need to check if your plugs match the type of cable. Solid cable needs different plugs than stranded cable. You will notice the ones for solid cable have a tiny skewed split in the spikes, usually 3-way. Stranded plugs are just 2 straight spikes.

Are there plugs that do both stranded and solid cables? I have used mine on solid, but also tried it on a stranded phone wire, and it worked fine.

hairy1

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#2573149 24-Sep-2020 06:05

sbiddle:

I've always considered the tool less connectors like that to be something for people who were too lazy to learn how to crimp normal connectors. 😃

I didn't know @sbiddle knew me so well. I have a pair of those here.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

sbiddle

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#2573159 24-Sep-2020 07:16

mattwnz:

webwat:

You also need to check if your plugs match the type of cable. Solid cable needs different plugs than stranded cable. You will notice the ones for solid cable have a tiny skewed split in the spikes, usually 3-way. Stranded plugs are just 2 straight spikes.

Are there plugs that do both stranded and solid cables? I have used mine on solid, but also tried it on a stranded phone wire, and it worked fine.

Yes there are, but they will be labelled as such and have a pretty unique design that is supposed to work with both cable types. Opinion on them varies greatly.

sbiddle

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#2573164 24-Sep-2020 07:35

mattwnz:

I am wondering based on your photo, if the blue outer sheath doesn't go too far in, eg the stands going into the groves are too short. The strands going into the outer pins are at increased angles than I would normally have them, due to the sheath being too far up and into the plug. So I am wondering if that is causing extra stress on the strands and the strands to pull pack a little bit.

I've run across some truly horrible cable at a couple of jobs this year that the outer sheath just seems to slide around way too much - for example you go to push the cable into the connector and find the pressure required to push the cable in securely simply results in the sheath sliding forward and the conductors not actually going all the way to the end of the RJ45 pins.

Not all cable is created equal.

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