Cat 5E/6 sockets for noddies ?

DarkKnight · 19-07-2006, 2:40 PM

Hi,

Some of you may have read my Wot no Wires thread. (See my signiture below)

But I'm now planning for the rest of the house.

I've read plenty of threads about installing CAT5e sockets, but I'm after a socket which will allow a terminated CAT5E/6 cable to be plugged in using a RJ45 adapter.

So rather than using crimping tools etc, the socket must act as a coupler. I guess it would be the CAT5e/6 equivalent of this product (see here - Mr.Moderator I'm not promoting this link, just using it as an example of what I'm after). Call me lazy, but I have no confidence or pateince with crimping, especially when I want about 10-12 sockets around the house.

Does anyone know of any suppliers that make such a socket ?

stevelup · 19-07-2006, 2:53 PM

Hi

RJ45 faceplates are ridiculously easy to terminate - no crimping involved, all you need is a punchdown tool.

I promise you will not find it difficult and each one should take about one minute to do!

Regards,

Steve

DarkKnight · 19-07-2006, 3:09 PM

Really ?
1 min for an inexperienced person ?

Won't I need testers and other do-daa's ?

stevelup · 19-07-2006, 4:49 PM

The first one will take you five minutes. The second one three mins, then I guarantee you one minute a shot after that!

Theoretically a tester would be a good idea - however you could just test them and see if they work

Personally I'd use a tester but that's becausae I've got one and it's habit.

Here's the punchdown tool

...and here's a tester (although I'm not really sure you need one)

Regards,

Steve

GasDad · 19-07-2006, 4:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkKnight

Really ?
1 min for an inexperienced person ?

Won't I need testers and other do-daa's ?

Tester wont hurt - but they're not expensive

On the back of the socket, you'll find 8 colour coded slots, simply punch (with the punch down tool) down the appropriate coloured wire into the slot - you don't even have to strip the wire.

James

hornydragon · 19-07-2006, 5:00 PM

Maplin sell testers for £12.99 IIRC (sure i have seen cheaper) and buyng preterminated is alot more expensive than crimping your own see www.tlc-direct.co.uk for cheap cable and plates (it easier and cheaper to punch down to a wall plate than crimp the cable anyways)
Tester
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...ce=14&doy=19m7
Plates
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...CD44X&DOY=19m7
cable
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ter/index.html
Useful bits
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...J45/index.html

DarkKnight · 19-07-2006, 6:06 PM

Cheers guys....

Guess I'll give it a go.

SeanT · 19-07-2006, 6:34 PM

All the sockets I have seen are colour coded the same as the 8 cores of the cat 5, and you don't even need a punchdown tool, a thin screwdriver will suffice!! No need to test, and use preterminated patch cables for an easy life.

stevelup · 19-07-2006, 7:00 PM

For the sake of £5-£6 I'd go for the punchdown tool rather than using screwdriver - especially if you're doing loads of them.

The danger in doing it with a screwdriver is that you may damage or enlarge the terminal which could - long term - give a dodgy connection.

A decent punchdown tool will also trim the cable as you punch it down - saving time and making a neater job of it.

baldrick · 20-07-2006, 8:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevelup

For the sake of £5-£6 I'd go for the punchdown tool rather than using screwdriver - especially if you're doing loads of them.

The danger in doing it with a screwdriver is that you may damage or enlarge the terminal which could - long term - give a dodgy connection.

A decent punchdown tool will also trim the cable as you punch it down - saving time and making a neater job of it.

Certainly don't scrimp on a punchdown tool and don't get one of the cheap plastic ones they sell in B & Q etc...

Crimping RJ45s isn't that difficult either, but it can be a little fiddly, strip the outer sheath, line up the 8 cores, slide them into the RJ45 and crimp with a crimping tool!

vex · 20-07-2006, 9:14 AM

Legrand make a great range of CAT5e sockets that don't even need a punch down tool.

The little cap that snaps over the back of the connector does the crimping for you! We sell bucket loads of them to the trade.

Chris

Triggaaar · 20-07-2006, 1:01 PM

No time to sort this out right now, but I have a punch down tool (on what has become a very long term loan from 'The Dude') which I can send on to you. I also have a tester kit, which you really should use, to be sure it's all correct - I can post that to you, and you can send it back when you're done. However, I need the testing equipement for a while longer - when are you going to install it all?

DarkKnight · 20-07-2006, 2:24 PM

@Trigaaar : Thanks for the offer.

I have a friend who works in Networks who can help me out and get hold of the tools for me.

Thanks anyway.