STEP 1: Stripping

To make the task easier, pull out approximately 12 feet of bulk network cables. Remove the outer jacket from the cable, exposing approximately 1 1/4 inches of the twisted pairs. You must be careful not to nick or cut any internal wiring while stripping the jacket. You will see 8 wires in pairs after removing the outer jacket. There is also a rip cord (white string).

STEP 2: Inspect

Examine the exposed wires carefully for any cuts or scrapes which may expose copper wires. You will need to remove the entire section of wires that have been exposed from the protective sheath. Exposed copper wire can cause cross-talk, poor performance, or even no connectivity. It is vital that all network cables have a jacket intact.


STEP 3: Preparation

You can prepare the wires by untwisting the pairs. They will then lay flat between your fingers. You can also cut the white thread and dispose of it.


STEP 4: Layout

Based on the wiring instructions you have followed, you will need to arrange the wires in a specific pattern. The TIA has two ways to arrange wires: 568A or 568B. The most widely used network cables for digital phone systems, 568B, are the 568A and 568B. This is the cable we'll use for our demonstration. The wiring should start from the top of the RJ45 plug.


STEP 5 - Jack Preparation

As in step three, again press the wires flat with your thumb and forefinger. Verify that the colors are in the right order. Use a pair scissors to cut the wires so they are approximately 1/2" long at the jacket's base. You must ensure that the wires are clean and even. Failure to do this could result in the wire not making contact with the jack.


STEP 6 - Wire Insertion

Push the wires into the RJ45 plug, ensuring that they are in the correct order. Looking down at the Jack, the orange or white wire should be on your left. By looking at the plug head-on, you can see if all of the wires have made it to the jack. As you can see at the bottom right, there should be one wire in each hole. It may take some effort to get the pairs into the plug. To help secure the cable after it is crimped, the cabling jacket should be inserted into the rear of jack approximately 3/16".


STEP 7: Crimping

Place the wired plug in the crimping device. You should feel the handle give it a good squeeze. As you continue, you will hear a ratcheting sound. After you've completed the crimp the handle will return to its open position.


STEP 8: Testing

It is a good idea to test your cable after it has been completed. This will ensure that it works in the field. It is crucial that each of the eight wires has proper order and connectivity. Miswired network cables can cause headaches later on. Crossed wire pairs can cause physical damage to computers and phone equipment, making power-over Ethernet an increasingly popular option. You can quickly check this information with a simple cable tester.