How to create an RJ45 cable?

Part 1: hardware components that we are going to use

The components that we are going to use depends on the price someone is willing to devote to the operation and the kind of wiring that it envisages to achieve.

Here are the equipment to be used:

- RJ45 connectors (sometimes called Plug RJ45)

- The cable must be category 5 (at least). I chose the cheapest, so they are not shielded (UTP = unshielded). Obviously this requires an environment totally free from electromagnetic interference. You can also use the FTP cable.

- The RJ45 crimping tool is essential.

- Double wall outlet and its accessories, cable clamp, screws, double sided tape.

Part 2: Creating RJ45 cable:

Begin to cut the cable with care (personally I use a sharp pair of scissors) until you get your desired length. Once the cable is unsheathed long enough, cut the cable's sheath and  then gently separate wires in pairs.

Then unravel each pair and put wires in their final position, with the chosen standard (EIA / TIA 568B). Then, untwist the wires so that they are as straight as possible (without stretching) and place them parallel to each other.

EIA / TIA 568B Standard	Separating wires and ordering	Ordered wires
RJ45 Connector Cable Pair Pin Color 2 1 White/ Orange 2 2 Orange 3 3 White/Green 1 4 Blue 1 5 White/Blue 3 6 Green 4 7 White/Brown 4 8 Brown

Using the crimper, cut wires so that their ends are well aligned. Remember that you will also penetrate some of the cable's sheath inside the RJ-45 connector. Hold now the eight wires tightly and insert them into the RJ-45 connector. When the wires began to engage in their respective channels, stop to check that none of them has moved and that the order is always respected. Before crimping, check that the eight wires are well placed in their correct channels and they are in contact with the plastic tip of the connector.

 Now, grab your crimp tool, push the connector in its place until it stops then tighten. Do the same steps with the second connector.

That's it! Your RJ45 cable is now ready to use.

Checking the order of wires, before the final push	Viewed from below	Front view

Straight through cable and crossover cable

Straight through cable:

To do what is called a straight through cable, you need to crimp the two RJ-45 the same way (same colors). This type of cable is the most common. An example is the cable that connects your Hub to your computer network adapter.

Here is a wiring table containing the most common cable category:

Cable Standard EIA / TIA 568B  100 Ohms
Connector 1 Connector 2 Pin Color Pin Color 1 White/Orange 1 White/Orange 2 Orange 2 Orange 3 White/Green 3 White/Green 4 Blue 4 Blue 5 White/Blue 5 White/Blue 6 Green 6 Green 7 White/Brown 7 White/Brown 8 Brown 8 Brown

Crossover cable:

For a crossover cable, you need to switch colors respectively: pairs 2 and 3 as well as pairs 1 and 4. This type of cable used, for instance, to connect two hubs when neither of them has what is called a crossover port, or to connect two computers especially when you don't own a hub.

Here is a table showing the wire order of a crossover cable:

Cable Standard EIA / TIA 568B 100 Ohms
Connector 1 Connector 2 Pin Color Pin Color 1 White/Orange 1 White/ Green 2 Orange 2 Green 3 White/Green 3 White/Orange 4 Blue 4 Brown 5 White/Blue 5 White/Brown 6 Green 6 Orange 7 White/Brown 7 White/Blue 8 Brown 8 Blue