Question for the computer geeks - Keystone Jacks

[SyracuseWolvrine]

A quick question for all the computer geeks (I count myself as one of them, but wiring has never been my strong suit)

I'm currently doing a small home network install for my parents. They had the cables pulled during some construction they're doing, but they didn't have the cables terminated. I offered to terminate the cables, and make sure everything is working. (I've done patch cables before, but not jacks)

I decided to use toolless keystone jacks, thinking that it would be easier, espicially since I don't own a punchdown tool. Here's my question. I know I have to strip off the plastic tubing on the cable, the one that holds all the wire pairs together. Do I also have to strip each one of the 8 wires inside, or will the jack strip the wires when I snap it together?

 

[JCJRSmith]

Everytime I have made my own cables I have had to strip the outside insulation to get to the twisted pairs inside. I would strip it back.

 

[gallaj0]

Nope, you do not have to strip the individual wires inside the jacket. When you push them into the correct space and push on the cover, it forces them into the terminals, which push into the insulator, making contact.

 

[Geoff_M]

Correct, if you look at the connection points you should see a metal "V" with a notch at the base. The sides of the "V" cuts through the insulation and makes contact with the wire inside.

 

[ohanafamily]

Yup, what they said. Actually, you might want to RTFM, the jack should come with an instruction sheet which will tell you how to wire it and what needs to be done. If you want an inexpensive punch-down tool, I usually call Altex, http://www.altex.com Also Fry's, but I don't like dealing with them. Another vendor is Graybar http://www.graybar.com, but they are a little more and more comercial.

I Hope this helps,

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Yup, what they said. Actually, you might want to RTFM, the jack should come with an instruction sheet which will tell you how to wire it and what needs to be done.

Normally, I'm not above RTFM'ing, but I guess that's what I get for buying the cheapest stuff I could find, it didn't come with any instruction sheets at all.

Thanks for all the advice. Got my first jack done ... and then realized that I had left the loopback adapter for my cable tester in my apartment, so I couldn't test it. Guess I'll do that a little later.

 

[ohanafamily]

Congrats on getting the first one done, it is usually the hardest.

I would also check with the place you bought the socket from, they probably have a sheet you can copy. On an ethernet network there are 2 ways you can wire the jacks. If you have 1 side on "A" wiring and the other side on "B" wiring it doesn't do so well.... IOW, verify the connections.....

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Yep, I'm double checking to make sure I stick to the same standard. I've also got both a toner/probe set, and a network line tester (this time I actually have my loopback adapter with me), so I can make sure I've got continuity.

 

[ohanafamily]

I use a LAN Rover
http://www.altex.com/product_info.php?cPath=23_32_132&products_id=1192

and this tool also I use a Paladin Cable tester
http://www.altex.com/product_info.php?cPath=23_32_132&products_id=1183
It came with a great booklet that explains all of the different cable diagrams..... PM me if you want me to look something up.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I saw some Cat 5 jacks at Lowe's the other day that actually came with a disposable punchdown tool! Might be worth buying one just to get the tool.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I use a LAN Rover
http://www.altex.com/product_info.php?cPath=23_32_132&products_id=1192

and this tool also I use a Paladin Cable tester
http://www.altex.com/product_info.php?cPath=23_32_132&products_id=1183
It came with a great booklet that explains all of the different cable diagrams..... PM me if you want me to look something up.

I'm slowly building my "network tools" arsenal. Started out with a nice modular crimp tool, then a few months later added a cheap network tester (http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?T1=115+3167 ). A year or so down the line, I spent money on a (used) Fluke NetTool that I found on Ebay for several hundred less than a new one would cost me.

I recently added a Test-UM TT100 tone tracer (probe), and a TG600 Tone Generator. Not sure what my next purchase is going to be. Hopefully won't need anything for a while

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I work for an IT company and we got rid of all of our crimp tools a few years ago...well there might be one in the back room. The premade cables are so cheap it's just not worth it.
We actually turned down a new customer, it was a HUGE building and someone had wired the entire place with crimp on ends! They were having all kinds of networking problems and wondered why!