Building Cables
LANS SIMPLIFIED. A LAN can be as simple as two computers, each having a network
interface card (NIC) or network adapter and running network software, connected together with
a crossover cable.
NETWORK CABLE TOOLS
Modular Plug Crimp Tool. You will need a modular crimp tool. This one is very similar to the
one I have been using for many years for all kinds of telephone cable work and it works just fine
for Ethernet cables. You don't need a lot of bells and whistles, just a tool which will securely
crimp RJ-45 connectors. Even though the crimper has cutters which can be used to cut the
cable and individual wires, and possibly stripping the outer jacket, I find that the following tools
are better for stripping and cutting the cable...
Universal UTP Stripping Tool (Eclipse). I recently bought one of these tools and it works
slick, and it makes a much neater cut. I recommend that you purchase one if you will be making
many cables.
Diagonal Cutters ("4 to 6"). It is easier to use diagonal cutters ("diags" or "dikes") to cut the
cable off at the reel and to fine tune the cable ends during assembly. Also, if you don't have a
stripper, you can strip the cable by using a small knife (X-acto, utility, etc.) to carefully slice the
outer jacket longitudinally and use the diags to cut it off around the circumference.
There are only two unique cable ends in the preceding diagrams. They correspond to
the 568A and 568B RJ-45 jacks and are shown to the right.
Again, the wires with colored backgrounds may have white stripes and may be denoted
that way in diagrams found elsewhere. For example, the green wire may be labeled
Green-White--I don't bother. The background color is always specified first.
Now, all you need to remember, to properly configure the cables, are the diagrams for
the two cable ends and the following rules:
A straight-thru cable has identical ends.
A crossover cable has different ends.
It makes no functional difference which standard you use for a straight-thru cable. You can
start a crossover cable with either standard as long as the other end is the other standard. It
makes no functional difference which end is which. Despite what you may have read
elsewhere, a 568A patch cable will work in a network with 568B wiring and 568B patch cable
will work in a 568A network. The electrons couldn't care less.
CABLING RULES
1. Try to avoid running cables parallel to power cables.
2. Do not bend cables to less than four times the diameter of the cable.
3. If you bundle a group of cables together with cable ties (zip ties), do not over-cinch
them. It's okay to snug them together firmly; but don't tighten them so much that you
deform the cables.
4. Keep cables away from devices which can introduce noise into them. Here's a short
list: copy machines, electric heaters, speakers, printers, TV sets, fluorescent lights,
copiers, welding machines, microwave ovens, telephones, fans, elevators, motors,
electric ovens, dryers, washing machines, and shop equipment.
5. Avoid stretching UTP cables (tension when pulling cables should not exceed 25
LBS).
6. Do not run UTP cable outside of a building. It presents a very dangerous
lightning hazard!
7. Do not use a stapler to secure UTP cables. Use telephone wire/RG-6 coaxial wire
hangers which are available at most hardware stores.
