How To: Terminate an Unshielded Cat6/6A RJ45 Plug

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Terminate an Unshielded Cat6/6A RJ45 Plug

Materials Needed:

• Cat6/6A cable
• Strip tool
• Gloves
• Metal dowel or screwdriver
• RJ45 plug (pass-through kind)
• Electrician's pliers
• Flush cutter

Step 1: Cut the Cable

1. Measure and cut your Cat6/6A cable to the desired length if you haven't already done so.
2. Ensure a nice flush cut at the end of the cable.

Step 2: Strip the Cable

1. Use the strip tool to raise the blade all the way up.
2. Insert about two and a half inches of the cable through the tool and lower the blade to make firm contact with the cable jacket.
3. Turn the tool twice to score the jacket without cutting through it.
4. If you accidentally cut through, remove the damaged portion and start again.
5. Pop off the cable jacket to expose the conductors.

Step 3: Prep the Cable

1. Flush cut off the rip cord (if present).
2. Arrange the conductors in a flared-out or star pattern to remove the spline.
3. Make four snips at a downward angle close to the edge of the cable jacket to cut the spline.
4. Untwist the conductors using a twisting motion.

Step 4: Straighten the Conductors

1. Use a glove and a metal dowel or screwdriver to straighten the conductors.
2. Make two to three passes upwards with moderate pressure to straighten each conductor.

Step 5: Arrange the Conductors

1. Arrange the conductors in the T568B sequence: white orange, orange, white green, blue, white blue, green, white brown, brown.
2. Ensure the conductors are in the correct sequence and keep them in order.

Step 6: Terminate the Plug

1. Cut the conductors to a flush length that allows them to fit evenly into the plug.
2. Insert the conductors into the pass-through RJ45 plug in the correct sequence.
3. Use electrician's pliers to ovalize the end of the cable to fit into the plug.
4. Push the cable jacket as far up into the plug as possible.

Step 7: Crimp the Plug

1. Use the crimping tool to secure the plug onto the cable. Ensure the conductors clear the plug.
2. Press the strain latch presser bar to crimp the cable jacket securely.
3. Check that none of the golden contacts have popped up.

Step 8: Final Check

1. Inspect the termination to ensure it's secure and properly crimped.
2. Trim any excess cable jacket with a flush cutter.
3. Verify that the termination is tight and neat, ready for networking use.

Congratulations! You have successfully terminated an unshielded Cat6/6A RJ45 plug. Enjoy your networking!