Attach new RJ45 head to Cat6 patch cord

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Ghostextechnica

41 posts

Geek

#281494 21-Feb-2021 13:02

Hey guys,

I wanted to run an ethernet cable between a device (gaming console) and my router which lives in a space under the house.

There was an old phone line port right beside my device, so I tried to use it as a draw cable for a 20m Cat6 patch cable, but the hole behind the wall down through the floor was just too small to fit the RJ45 head (and not possible to widen).

After cutting the head off one end of the Cat6 patch cord, I was able to pull it through successfully, but I now have a patch cord with no head to plug into the router.

is it possible to fit a new RJ45 onto the patch cord? (or are there companies who could come and do this for me? I live in Mt Eden, Auckland)

This is the patch cable I used:

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609 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2660472 21-Feb-2021 13:11

If you're not planning on doing this kind of thing often, a toolless RJ45 plug or jack could be used to terminate your cable.

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froob

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#2660474 21-Feb-2021 13:28

It might be neater to replace the old phone jack with a new data jack, rather than just having a cable coming out of the wall with a plug on it. It's actually easier to terminate a data cable at a socket, rather than with a plug end, and you can just use one of these cheap tools to do the whole job: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TOLHAN0022/HANLONG-Economic-UTPSTP-Cable-Stripper--110-Insert

Edit: Although I see you've used a long patch cord, which will have stranded wires in it (for flexibility) and may have some issues being terminated with a jack. Usually for runs like this, you would use cable with solid wires.

Might still be ok anyway.

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sbiddle

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#2660520 21-Feb-2021 13:55

Yes you can just crimp a new RJ45 connector on the end. This however needs to be a stranded RJ45 connector and not a solid one (most connectors are for solid cable).

The best thing would be to terminate it to a RJ45 faceplate on the wall, but as mentioned because you've used stranded cable this can't technically be terminated to a keystone jack as they are all for solid cable.

Ghostextechnica

41 posts

Geek

#2660527 21-Feb-2021 14:50

Thanks guys!

Darn - sounds like I should have posted before I started - although I guess I didn't know the RJ45 wouldn't fit through at that point!

In saying that, I'm not too worried about the aesthetics of the cable sticking out as it's situated behind an entertainment unit that has a ton of other wires coming out of the wall (HMDI cords etc). Might see if I can find a tiny brush thing (like the hole on the right has) to make it just slightly tidier.

Hadn't ever heard of tool-less RJ45 plugs - that sounds kinda ideal as this is definitely a one-off. Is this the below the right sort of thing? Would I need any other tools (e.g. something to cut the wires really cleanly beyond the paper scissors in my drawer!).

https://www.elive.co.nz/dynamix-cat6-rj45-8p8c-plug-cd2225.php?gclid=CjwKCAiAg8OBBhA8EiwAlKw3ki60GoGAfLkcALCYRNFJCV3pvqWncHq8BcnCzqMZJAENeQd5ifG9cBoCFb4QAvD_BwE

Many thanks!

froob

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#2660531 21-Feb-2021 15:03

I would still be inclined to just terminate it to a jack. That's a PDL600 series faceplate, and you can get a kit that has both the keystone connector, and a converter to fit that faceplate: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CHSDNX0073/Dynamix-FP-C6-007C-Cat6-180-Unshielded-Keystone-Ja

That and the tool I linked above should be enough to do the job (plus a pair of wire cutters or pliers). If you find it's unreliable, you can always re-terminate with a plug end.

If you do end up terminating with a plug, could you potentially just poke the cable through the existing brush plate to the right?

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Clima

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#2660538 21-Feb-2021 15:26

A jack is definitely the best way. Once terminated and tidied back onto the wall it should not get disturbed. Your effort on a plug will be frequently stressed - every time the cable is moved or bumped.

sbiddle

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#2660592 21-Feb-2021 15:55

In that situation I'd terminate to a stranded RJ45 and then use an appropriate RJ45 joiner (which will fit in a PDL615MKC adapter mech) to look like a keystone jack.

Dynamix Cat 6 Rated RJ-45 8C Joiner 2 Way (2x RJ-45 Sockets)

I still wouldn't opt for a keystone jack simply because of the stranded vs solid situation unless you are terminating the keystone jacks with a proper quick tool for termination (vs a regular punchdown tool) which *may* give a reliable connection.

froob

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#2660596 21-Feb-2021 16:08

^ That's a good option.

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nztim

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#2660599 21-Feb-2021 16:40

If it was me, I would replace the stranded cable with solid and get a PDL619MD cat6 module for that faceplate

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Ghostextechnica

41 posts

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#2660604 21-Feb-2021 16:47

sbiddle:

In that situation I'd terminate to a stranded RJ45 and then use an appropriate RJ45 joiner (which will fit in a PDL615MKC adapter mech) to look like a keystone jack.

...

I still wouldn't opt for a keystone jack simply because of the stranded vs solid situation unless you are terminating the keystone jacks with a proper quick tool for termination (vs a regular punchdown tool) which *may* give a reliable connection.

Sounds perfect! Especially as the head I cut off is the one under the house. I can just plug the still-attached one into a joiner and install in the plate :)

Now I just need to figure out whether there's a good tool-less option for attached stranded Cat6 cable into a RJ45 jack (or if I need to get someone in who has the right tools and expertise).

andrewNZ

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#2660606 21-Feb-2021 17:18

The task is pretty easy.

Crimper $16 https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETDIG9103/Digitus-DN-94007-RJ45RJ11-Crimping-Tool-6P4C-and-8
10x plugs $6 https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NET8WR0002/8Ware-P2060-RJ45-Plug-for-Stranded-Cable-10pcs-per

Plenty of videos on youtube showing how it's done.

Nate001

628 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2660749 21-Feb-2021 20:38

I'd get a RJ45 keystone and use a $5 punch tool from jaycar - https://www.jaycar.co.nz/punch-down-tool-for-nz-wall-sockets/p/YT7134

I've used this one before when I was without a proper tool.

nztim

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#2660754 21-Feb-2021 20:43

Nate001:
I'd get a RJ45 keystone and use a $5 punch tool from jaycar - https://www.jaycar.co.nz/punch-down-tool-for-nz-wall-sockets/p/YT7134

I've used this one before when I was without a proper tool.

People using garbage like this is the leading cause of structured cabling failures

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Nate001

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Ultimate Geek

#2660763 21-Feb-2021 21:21

nztim:
Nate001:

I'd get a RJ45 keystone and use a $5 punch tool from jaycar - https://www.jaycar.co.nz/punch-down-tool-for-nz-wall-sockets/p/YT7134

I've used this one before when I was without a proper tool.

People using garbage like this is the leading cause of structured cabling failures

Yes agree, you get what you pay for. Its a cheaper option for OP to consider should their budget not stretch as they are only going to do 1-2 terminations.

richms

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#2660768 21-Feb-2021 21:50

Nate001:

Yes agree, you get what you pay for. Its a cheaper option for OP to consider should their budget not stretch as they are only going to do 1-2 terminations.

1-2 failed intermittent terminations isnt worth the saving. You can get chinese clones of all the punchdown tools that work fine for about the same price as that overpriced jaycar junk one.

Also it is stranded cable, so punching down is never the solution. It needs a plug on the end of it.

Richard rich.ms

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