Keystone RJ45 sockets for Cat5e - solid or stranded cable?

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geekIT

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#311259 30-Dec-2023 13:07

I want to set up an RJ45 Cat5e wall socket in a bedroom adjacent to the main computer room, so I bought some keystone sockets and faceplates from Computer Dynamix. Their website blurb says the sockets are suitable for either stranded or solid wire cables, but I've since noticed that all my Cat5e cabling is stranded.

I wouldn't have thought anything of the solid\stranded situation, but I've since seen a few posts here on GZ where people have mentioned the unsuitability of stranded wire for keystone jacks. Are there alternatives? Comments please.

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#3176336 30-Dec-2023 13:38

Keystones are generally used for fixed installations, as are solid core cable. Stranded is better for things that aren't fixed in place, like cables between the wall and device. Keystones CAN terminate stranded, but the issue is generally the way it terminates is through insulation displacement, with conductive teeth that bite into the metal conductor. On a stranded wire, this is likely to just break the wires, provide a functional but subpar termination, and have a much higher failure rate than solid core cable.
Any reason why you're trying to terminate stranded cable on keystones?

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Jase2985

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#3176343 30-Dec-2023 14:51

toejam316:

Any reason why you're trying to terminate stranded cable on keystones?

I would say its because whom ever has run the cabling has used stranded over solid cabling in the walls.

nztim

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#3176344 30-Dec-2023 14:58

as much as they say Stranded works..... Solid cable punches down onto keystones better than stranded.

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BadCo

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#3176467 31-Dec-2023 09:05

Jase2985:
toejam316:

Any reason why you're trying to terminate stranded cable on keystones?

I would say its because whom ever has run the cabling has used stranded over solid cabling in the walls.

Are you sure? Could you provide a photo? It would be very strange to run structured cabling as stranded.

geekIT

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#3176491 31-Dec-2023 11:01

toejam316: "Any reason why you're trying to terminate stranded cable on keystones?"

LOL. Probably because I didn't know any better. I've done a lot of cabling for myself and a small amount for one long-ago computer customer and never had any problems. So I didn't know what I didn't know. Until now.

OK, so I need to use solid core cable to set up my single keystone wall socket in the adjacent room? No problem, I have a gigabit switch in the computer room that has spare ports, so if I run a solid cable between there and the wall socket (around 1.5m), that'd do it, right?

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Bung

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#3176502 31-Dec-2023 12:13

Dynamix claim their IDC connectors work with both types of cable. For a small number of jacks I'd try it. What's the worst that could happen? For a bigger project, sure start off with the proper solid cable.

geekIT

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#3176506 31-Dec-2023 12:49

Bung, thanks. Being Sunday, I can't call Computer Dynamics to ask, but I'm wondering if they actually stock short solid core cables ie, 1m, 2m, 5m, 10, etc. Or whether it's only available in bulk, seeing as in-wall protocol requires that type to be used.

In my case, if I can't obtain a short solid cable, what's to prevent me twisting and soldering stranded cable for the last, say, 1cm, and then forcing the soldered sections into\onto the keystone terminals?

EDIT: I was just reading online about someone who'd pushed stranded down onto keystone connectors then added hot glue to keep them in place.

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RunningMan

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#3176507 31-Dec-2023 12:59

geekIT:

In my case, if I can't obtain a short solid cable, what's to prevent me twisting and soldering stranded cable for the last, say, 1cm, and then forcing the soldered sections into\onto the keystone terminals?

No, don't do this. If the IDC connector says it can use stranded cable, then just go with that. Twisting and soldering will lead to premature failure once punched down.

There's so many threads on here if you search, but in summary solid cable is used in IDC connectors because the core diameter will properly fill the IDC. The thinner strands in stranded core can't lock into the IDC so you get a bad connection. Stranded is normally only used for patch cables and things that need to be flexible.

If the IDC says it can take stranded then just punch that down as it is.

geekIT

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#3176509 31-Dec-2023 13:14

IDC? This one? "An insulation-displacement contact (IDC), also known as insulation-piercing contact (IPC)"

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RunningMan

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#3176510 31-Dec-2023 13:17

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punch-down_block

lxsw20

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#3176512 31-Dec-2023 13:46

You can get solid core by the meter at most electrical wholesalers.

geekIT

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#3176543 31-Dec-2023 16:46

Guys, thanks for your advice. The job turned out to be a stroll in the park. I didn't need any special tools, just a pair of scissors and a nail file. Pushed the (stranded) wires into the Dynamix keystone socket, lightly at first then firmly with the nail file. The sockets come with a locking cap that has to be forced on last thing and this action makes sure that all the wires are fully down into their slots. Last job, cut off the surplus wires with scissors. Voyler. I managed to locate my continuity tester and all lights matched one for one.

LOL. Only problem turned out to be the Dynamix 1.5m Cat5e cable that I connected to the keystone on the first try. I didn't even stop to think - just connected the keystone via the 568B diagram on the back of the socket and...no continuity. The Dynamix cable 1.5m patch cable is wired 568A! Rewired a new keystone to 568A and all good. Piece of Christmas cake :-)

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Spyware

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#3176544 31-Dec-2023 16:50

What I call a butcher job.

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geekIT

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#3176547 31-Dec-2023 17:07

Spyware:

What I call a butcher job.

Yes, you would say that.

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nztim

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#3176558 31-Dec-2023 19:09

Spyware:
What I call a butcher job.

May work today, may work tomorrow, 2 years from now the cable only runs at 100mbps as a joint has failed

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