Advice needed - can I fix an RJ45 socket with a broken pin?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Advice needed - can I fix an RJ45 socket with a broken pin?

timbosan

2161 posts

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#288593 11-Jul-2021 13:47

Hey all,

So I set up a new camera outside a few weeks ago and before I could finish the job and put the connections into a waterproof box it rained, and when I pulled the plug out on the pins of the RJ45 socket on the camera broke (pin 8 I think, i.e. the right hand one when the pins are at the bottom).

So, is this fixable? The camera is only a ReoLink, so not $100's of dollars. I thought about cutting off the pigtale and splicing on a new one, is that my only option?

Cheers!

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190 posts

Master Geek

#2742402 11-Jul-2021 13:50

What model? Is it on one of those POE dongles?

timbosan

2161 posts

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#2742411 11-Jul-2021 14:06

mattenz:

What model? Is it on one of those POE dongles?

Its an RLC-410A, so yes has both the RJ45 and a barrel connection for 12v. Is that what you mean?

Bung

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#2742427 11-Jul-2021 14:54

"Note: Pin 1, 2, 3, 6 are for data transfer while pin 4, 5, 7, 8 are for PoE power supply."

You could check camera operating current v's rj pin capability to see if you need parallel pins.

timbosan

2161 posts

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#2742768 11-Jul-2021 21:46

Bung: "Note: Pin 1, 2, 3, 6 are for data transfer while pin 4, 5, 7, 8 are for PoE power supply."

You could check camera operating current v's rj pin capability to see if you need parallel pins.

Good idea! I have another camera powered with 12v PSU so I swapped that in and moved the Reolink from a PoE port. However it doesn't seem to connect to the network - there is no light on the switch. Maybe the camera was damaged. I will try a reset and more options.

timbosan

2161 posts

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#2742774 11-Jul-2021 21:57

timbosan:

Bung: "Note: Pin 1, 2, 3, 6 are for data transfer while pin 4, 5, 7, 8 are for PoE power supply."

You could check camera operating current v's rj pin capability to see if you need parallel pins.

Good idea! I have another camera powered with 12v PSU so I swapped that in and moved the Reolink from a PoE port. However it doesn't seem to connect to the network - there is no light on the switch. Maybe the camera was damaged. I will try a reset and more options.

I think those pinouts may be wrong - I reset the camera and it powered on with a 2V PSU. But it also powers on with a PoE switch! But it doesn't appear on the network and the LAN port on the switch doesn't light. So the camera seems OK, but I think the RJ45 socket needs repair / replacement.

Bung

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#2742834 11-Jul-2021 23:05

Info came from Reolink support

https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011364633-Arrange-wire-order-for-RJ45-connector.

sbiddle

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#2742847 12-Jul-2021 07:32

1,2,3,6 are standard for data across every Ethernet device for 100Mbps FE. 4,5,7,8 are standard for power on a POE device whether that be 802.3af/at passive POE. For 1000Mbps GE all 4 pairs are used for data and 4,5,7,8 used for POE as well.

If you're plugging in a 12V plug pack and Ethernet and getting no data link light up come up when one of the data pins is most probably damaged as well.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Bung

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#2742866 12-Jul-2021 09:12

Looking into the socket with pins at bottom, it's pin 1 on right not 8 as Timbosan 1st thought.

Gordy7

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#2742882 12-Jul-2021 09:45

timbosan:

Hey all,

.... Snip ....

I thought about cutting off the pigtale and splicing on a new one, is that my only option?

Cheers!

I faced a similar situation when water got into a camera RJ45 pigtail socket.

I cut off the damaged socket and fitted an RJ45 plug on to the camera wires and then used an RJ45-RJ45 joiner to hook up to the network.

I can't remember exactly the solution I used.... I am not sure if the camera wires are crimpable into an RJ45 plug.

I may have used an RJ45 plug with a short length of CAT5e cable and spliced the wires to the camera wires.

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

timbosan

2161 posts

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#2742889 12-Jul-2021 10:10

Bung: Looking into the socket with pins at bottom, it's pin 1 on right not 8 as Timbosan 1st thought.

That would explain a lot! Thanks for pointing that out :-)

timbosan

2161 posts

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#2742890 12-Jul-2021 10:11

Gordy7:

timbosan:

Hey all,

.... Snip ....

I thought about cutting off the pigtale and splicing on a new one, is that my only option?

Cheers!

I faced a similar situation when water got into a camera RJ45 pigtail socket.

I cut off the damaged socket and fitted an RJ45 plug on to the camera wires and then used an RJ45-RJ45 joiner to hook up to the network.

I can't remember exactly the solution I used.... I am not sure if the camera wires are crimpable into an RJ45 plug.

I may have used an RJ45 plug with a short length of CAT5e cable and spliced the wires to the camera wires.

Yeah I looked at that too, as crimping on a socket to the cut wires seems way easier (and more secure) that spicing together cables. And plugs and joiners seem easier to get (and cheaper too).

Bung

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#2742902 12-Jul-2021 10:42

Looks like a common problem. One example https://www.nellyssecurity.com/blog/articles/how-to-fix-your-ip-security-cameras-damaged-rj45-ethernet-connection

Gordy7

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#2742907 12-Jul-2021 11:01

Bung: Looks like a common problem. One example
https://www.nellyssecurity.com/blog/articles/how-to-fix-your-ip-security-cameras-damaged-rj45-ethernet-connection

Great link with a lot of useful info.... filed away for future reference 😀

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

richms

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#2743165 12-Jul-2021 14:56

many cameras have the ethernet transformer in the blob at the end of the cable, some even have all the POE electronics in there as well and they just swap the cable assemblys over between the POE and non POE models. Check that before chopping it off.

Richard rich.ms

timbosan

2161 posts

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#2743173 12-Jul-2021 15:14

richms:

many cameras have the ethernet transformer in the blob at the end of the cable, some even have all the POE electronics in there as well and they just swap the cable assemblys over between the POE and non POE models. Check that before chopping it off.

Ok - but what I am looking for? Some actual circuitry or just a few resistors, etc.? I assume I have to split the casing to check.

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