To ensure that the Ethernet cable function properly, it is important to terminate the Ethernet cable according to a specific color standards for the wires in the Ethernet cable. Many people that experience issues with their Ethernet cables find that the colored wires within the Ethernet cable is not arranged in the correct order. If the colored wires are not arranged in the correct order, the Ethernet cable will not allow the data to be transmitted at the intended speed from one device to another.
An Ethernet cable consist of four twisted pair of wires. Each of these pairs has a specific function within the cable, and each of these pairs must remain twisted as close to the termination point of the Ethernet cable as possible. In many case, individuals should not untwist the Ethernet cable wires beyond half of an inch from the point at which the Ethernet cable is to be terminated.
How to Terminate and Test an Ethernet Cable
Untwisting the Ethernet cable beyond this length can lead to issue known as crosstalk. Crosstalk is a phenomenon in which the signals carried by one twisted pair of wires within the Ethernet cable interfere with the signal of another pair of wires. For these reasons, it is important to use one standard for the Ethernet cable, such as the T568A or the T568B standard.
Each end of the Ethernet cable should use the same standard. For instance, if the user use the T568A standard for one end of the Ethernet cable, the T568B standard should be applied to the other end of the Ethernet cable, but each end must use one standard. The color of the Ethernet cable can help to identify it’s function.
For instance, blue Ethernet cables are used for data connections, orange Ethernet cables are used for high speed connections, red Ethernet cables are used to indicate which cables provide power to critical networking equipment, and green Ethernet cables are used to identify networking devices that to which the Ethernet cable is connected. Therefore, by using colored Ethernet cables, network administrator can easly recognize which Ethernet cable is which. The orange and green pairs of wires within the Ethernet cable are used to carry data.
Additionally, the blue and brown pairs can also carry data, or alternatively provide power to networking devices through a process known as Power over Ethernet. For Gigabit Ethernet connections, all four pair must be used for the data transmission to occur. If any of the pairs are separated from each other by placing the wires into different group within the Ethernet cable, this will create electrical noise along the Ethernet cable, which will impact the speed at which the data are transmitted.
To terminate the Ethernet cable, you should strip the outer jacket of the Ethernet cable. The wires within the Ethernet cable should then be arranged in the order of their colors. Each wire should be pushed to the end of the Ethernet connector to ensure that the copper wire of the Ethernet cable are visible through the clear plastic of the connector.
A ratcheting crimping tool should be used to compress the Ethernet connector onto the Ethernet cable. If an inappropriate crimping tool is used, the connection between the network device and the Ethernet cable may fail. Common mistake in terminating Ethernet cables can lead to the failure of the Ethernet cable.
For instance, if the Ethernet cable is pulled around a sharp corner at any point along the cable, that kink may form within the cable. A kink in the cable can cause attenuation of the signal carried by the cable. Signal attenuation is the phenomenon in which the signal strength diminish over time.
Therefore, signal attenuation will reduce the data speeds. Additionally, Ethernet cables should not exceed a length of ninety meters in length. If the Ethernet cable does exceed this length, the signal may suffer from packet loss.
Furthermore, the correct type of Ethernet cable should be used in each environment. For instance, the wrong type of Ethernet cable may be used within a ceiling plenum in a structure, which can lead to fire code violation. These common mistakes can all be avoided by using the correct tool to terminate Ethernet cables.
For instance, a wire map tester can be used to test the Ethernet cable prior to terminating the cable to ensure that the pins of the Ethernet cable are mapped appropriately. Additionally, a ratcheting crimper can be used to ensure that the Ethernet connector is applied to the Ethernet cable with the appropriate amount of force to allow for the best possible connection. By using these tools, individuals can ensure that there Ethernet cables are terminated correctly and can avoid having to redo there work.