Favourite Cat5e cable

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potscrubber

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#318789 20-Feb-2025 23:11

How do you know when you are a geek? When you have a favourite LAN cable. Like a specific single cable! 😁

I do a lot of work at different sites on AV equipment, and this old 5e cable is perfect for me to hook in. It's skinny and flexible and coils nicely. I've had it about 10 years! But one of the locking latches broke off today.

I can't find it's like and I've looked around as I knew this was coming. Does anyone recognize the style of cable and perhaps know where I might find some? You can easily see the twist through the insulation. You used to see them a lot.

I don't like the Cruxtech ones at PB Tech for this purpose I describe.

Really sad, I know!

Thanks for any intel.

Favourite Cat5e cable

wellygary

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#3345170 21-Feb-2025 04:50

Dont bin the cable because the connector broke... go and buy or borrow a crimp tool and a new connector.. chop off the broken plug and re-terminate the cable...

also ... the cable you describe is pretty generic , but it’s likely from a box spool, that has been cut and terminated on site... it’s not usually the stuff that pre terminated cables are made from...

potscrubber

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#3345176 21-Feb-2025 06:56

Yeah I won't bin it, but I won't take it out on jobs either. I have a crimp set but I've never been that happy with my efforts in that dept. Maybe I should try again.

I know it looks like from a spool, but it has moulded connectors so I think it's an off the shelf product.

Thanks for the advice though!

mdooher

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#3345180 21-Feb-2025 07:58

potscrubber:

Yeah I won't bin it, but I won't take it out on jobs either. I have a crimp set but I've never been that happy with my efforts in that dept. Maybe I should try again.

I know it looks like from a spool, but it has moulded connectors so I think it's an off the shelf product.

Thanks for the advice though!

That is stranded cable, it is a lot trickier to terminate and you should use connectors that are designed for it. the bit that goes into the conductor looks like two spikes rather than three offset spikes.(you can get some that do both stranded and solid)

While it is difficult, it is not impossible, I used to make my students make them for a fun challenge...

Matthew

nitro

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#3345187 21-Feb-2025 08:17

what are the ends like? might be a dynamix patch cable...

potscrubber

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#3345193 21-Feb-2025 08:50

Oh yeah, the RJ45s look just like that. Thanks!!! I will peruse...

lxsw20

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#3345201 21-Feb-2025 09:08

mdooher:

While it is difficult, it is not impossible, I used to make my students make them for a fun challenge...

Yes...i recall.

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Dynamic

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#3346220 24-Feb-2025 08:57

potscrubber:

I have a crimp set but I've never been that happy with my efforts in that dept. Maybe I should try again.

Push-through connectors make terminating much simpler for those who rarely do it. I'm not aware of any disadvantages to these.

One example: . DYNAMIX Cat6/6A UTP push through plug, 3 prong,50 u" 20pc pack.

Add a boot like this one to protect the latch: . DYNAMIX BLACK RJ45 Strain Relief Boot - Slimline with Clip Protector

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

mdooher

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#3346224 24-Feb-2025 09:05

Dynamic:

Push-through connectors make terminating much simpler for those who rarely do it. I'm not aware of any disadvantages to these.

One example: . DYNAMIX Cat6/6A UTP push through plug, 3 prong,50 u" 20pc pack.

Add a boot like this one to protect the latch: . DYNAMIX BLACK RJ45 Strain Relief Boot - Slimline with Clip Protector

If they are used externally the corrosion slowly makes its way up the copper from the open end.

Matthew

nitro

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#3346266 24-Feb-2025 10:07

mdooher:

If they are used externally the corrosion slowly makes its way up the copper from the open end.

i've never used those push-through plugs, hence never thought of this. maybe seal with superglue after crimping?

MadEngineer

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#3346268 24-Feb-2025 10:13

wellygary:

Dont bin the cable because the connector broke... go and buy or borrow a crimp tool and a new connector.. chop off the broken plug and re-terminate the cable...

also ... the cable you describe is pretty generic , but it’s likely from a box spool, that has been cut and terminated on site... it’s not usually the stuff that pre terminated cables are made from...

Am I missing something? It’s a long patch lead so flex, isn’t it?

Nearly nobody deals with flex outside of pre-made patch leads.

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Dynamic

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#3346278 24-Feb-2025 10:50

nitro:

mdooher:

If they are used externally the corrosion slowly makes its way up the copper from the open end.

i've never used those push-through plugs, hence never thought of this. maybe seal with superglue after crimping?

I believe I'm reading that as long as the terminations are not exposed to the elements (i.e. not used outside / externally) this step would not be needed. I suspect your favourite patch cable is unlikely to be left in the rain. :)

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richms

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#3346290 24-Feb-2025 11:43

Generally you would apply dielectric grease to them if exposed, so a little more on the end of it isn't a huge ask to do with passthru ones.

Richard rich.ms

antoniosk

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#3346357 24-Feb-2025 15:26

potscrubber:

Yeah I won't bin it, but I won't take it out on jobs either. I have a crimp set but I've never been that happy with my efforts in that dept. Maybe I should try again.

I know it looks like from a spool, but it has moulded connectors so I think it's an off the shelf product.

Thanks for the advice though!

Persevere and cut short lengths. You'll get it right from the 5th attempt. and then will choose to never do your own wiring again because its not worth the agro. But for repair jobs its a smashing thing to learn

________

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raytaylor

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#3348605 28-Feb-2025 08:19

mdooher:

That is stranded cable, it is a lot trickier to terminate and you should use connectors that are designed for it. the bit that goes into the conductor looks like two spikes rather than three offset spikes.(you can get some that do both stranded and solid)

It used to be a thing but everyone just uses the multipurpose rj45 plugs now with pins shaped like a trident. I dont think you can even get specific stranded or solid plugs anymore from the electrical wholesalers unless its new-old stock.

Ray Taylor

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raytaylor

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#3348622 28-Feb-2025 08:37

You should be able to get one of those dynamix cables from your local branch of Ideal Electrical
Send me a message and you can use my customer's cash account to get a discount.

I have started to use one of those mini 5 metre thin cat6 cables with my laptop for plugging into things. Quite a lot nicer than the thicker cables, however i dont believe they are compliant so only ever for temporary use.

Sidenote re. the push through connectors.
We use them exclusively - the new techs find them so much quicker to learn and use.
Each termination is always perfect because they know they can just strip the cable longer than needed and pull the wires through with some side cutters before crimping it.
We have several thousand outdoors and in service on rooftop radios.
Although in saying that, there is a plastic shroud around the connector as part of the device it plugs in to.

Ray Taylor

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