An Explanation Of Bulk Cat 5 Cable
An Explanation of Bulk Cat 5 Cable
Bulk CAT 5 cable is not only considered the standard in Ethernet networking, but it is so trusted and so used, it's practically blasphemous to suggest that someone use anything else. Let's discuss just what this CAT 5 creature is, examine its technical facets, and even how to make it.
Bulk CAT 5 cable is considered the original in Ethernet cables. CAT 5 includes four pairs twisted together, all in a single jacket. This design helps to decrease interference from other pairs (known as crosstalk) and from external sources. Its performance specs were designed to be used with networks up to 100Mbit/s. The most common use for a bulk CAT 5 cable is 100BASETX Ethernet.
Enhanced CAT 5 (or CAT 5e) was developed in 2001. It had stricter specifications for speed and performance. The biggest difference between the two is that CAT 5e can be used , among other things, with Gigabit networks. These are networks such as 100BASET which have transfer speeds going up to 1000Mbit/s. There is also a slightly modified wiring in CAT e, giving it even better protection from crosstalk.
Today, CAT 5e has almost completely replaced standard CAT 5. You can still find the CAT 5 version out there, but CAT 5e, which by all accounts is superior, is found in the same places at about the same price....so there is little reason to not buy the CAT 5e.
Many do-it-yourself types create their own bulk CAT 5e cable. While not exactly simple for the layperson, for someone with a little knowledge of electronics, it's not that hard. First measure the length that you need your cable to be. Now add about five inches to it so you have enough to work with as you terminate the cable ends.
Get some wire strippers, stripping an inch off your cable. Now untwist the cables down to their rubber shield. Make sure there's about a half inch of copper exposed, since you'll want them to make contact with your RJ45 connector.
Now make sure that each of the wires are in the right position prior to putting on the RJ45. For normal ends, the colors will go, from right to left, brown, white-brown, green, white-blue, blue, white-green, orange, white-orange. For crossover cables, it will be brown, white-brown, orange, white-blue, blue, white-orange, green, white-green.
Now put on your RJ45 connector, being sure that your copper ends make contact with the RJ45's metal plates. If they don't, go back and organize the wires so that they do. They're flexible, so this should be no problem.
Now put it in your crimping tool, and crimp. You now have one of the ends terminated. Repeat steps two through six for the other end. Now if you have an Ethernet tester, plug your cable into it to see if the lights all light up green. If so, you've been successful.
For most uses, bulk cat 5 cable is the best choice for your networking needs. It's fast, easy to work with, and reliable. It's also quite affordable.
