Started working with cat6 recently, and this stuff is a B...... to get into the rj45 connector....even the rj45s that are supposedly cat6 rated. We're using belden cable, pretty good quality, and the wires are stiffer, harder to straighten, and seem to be just a hair bigger than cat5e, so its almost impossible to force them all the way into the jack....

Anybody run into this? Any recs on a cat6 jack?

Cat6 is a larger gauge wire. Can't remember exactly what it is off the top of my head. We use leviton Cat6 RJ45's and haven't had any problems with them.

Robbie S

Cat 6 is 23 ga - Cat 5 24 ga.

I also have used the Leviton RJ45 CAt 6 jacks.

I have yet to crimp any Cat 6 RJ45 plugs onto a Cat 6 cable though.

Stay away from ICC Cat 6 punch down patch panels - They suck!

I used EZ-45's that is rated for Cat5. Worked on Cat6 without a problem.. It's been a while since I've done it.. if you want I can go out in the warehouse and confirm it..

Cowboy,

It is the connectors you are using that are the problem. We recently terminated hundreds of Cat 6 cables, both solid and stranded. Went like a breeze because we used the EZ connectors Eric refers to above except I recommend you use the ones they make for Cat 6 or why bother using Cat 6? These connectors are a blessing. They are expensive but will more than make up for the cost in saved time and not needing to remake patch cables. DON"T jusy buy the connectors, buy the tool too.

You can find it at many distributors too, not just Liberty. Liberty however stocks the Cat 6 connectors and is great to deal with.

Here's what you want:
[Link: secure.libertycable.com]

p.s. As you will see in the picture the wire on the EZ connector comes out the end so it's easy to see that the cable is "loaded" correctly.

I use those tools with cat5 and love it. Gotta use the crimpers or you will never be able to cut the tips of the wires off close enough to make the connector seat correctly. (ask me how I know).

Are you guys using the true Cat6 wall plate inserts or just terminating the cat6 cable with cat5 inserts?

I was thinking about starting to pull cat6 for structured wire, but dont remember seeing any 2x2 bundled cable with cat6 over cat5.

I haven't found bundled wire with CAT 6, either.

I was told by Leviton that my problems with non-functional RJ-45 connections was due to crimping non-stranded Cat 5. They told me to punch down the solid Cat 5 or 6 and then use premade Ethernet patch cables from there. I'd like to build my own patch cables but none of my suppliers carry stranded Cat 5 if there is such a thing.

I haven't see bundled Cat6 yet either. Liberty would probably have it if anyone would. We are using Cat 6 jacks and patch panels when using Cat 6.

There is a new distribution company in Santa Monica, CA that is going to make a 2+2 with Cat6 & 2 RG6QS 3GhZ in an overall jacket. They are going to make it pretty soon....

http://www.icecompany.net/

These guys are super cool and have a really good shipping policy.

I found this company online that seems to have some really great prices on CAT6 cable, patch panels, and keystone jacks.

www.cyberxlink.com

Has anyone ever bought from them? I'm interested in buying a few thousand feet of bulk cable and I'm look for a reputable company.

Thanks!

How do you know? ;-)

Has anybody had a probem crimping RJ-45 connectors to the solid CAT 5? Is there such a thing as stranded CAT 5 or 6 that can be used to build patch cables, as Leviton tech support advised?

We've used several different brands of cat5e cable....all have been solid...the more expensive brands have stiffer wires, and are harder to get into the plug, but once seated they crimp fine.

I had to shorten a 50 ft Leviton patch cable recently, and I was suprised to find that it used stranded cable. Funny, I had problems with getting good crimp on the replacement plug....and I just chalked it up to it being a stranded cable....:)

In-wall wiring is usually solid cat5.
Patch cables are almost ALWAYS stranded wire.

Stranded wire is much more flexible and is more suited for making patch cables (solid wire, if bent around enough, can create deformities and/or breaks that can cause problems for a patch cable over time). Most of us use soild to make patch cables because that's what we have in stock. You can order spools of stranded cat5 to make patch cables but this would cause extra expense. Most patch cables you'll make are going between equipment in a rack - it's not moving around or being repostioned much (it's installed), so this is usually OK.
I would never recommend you make a solid wire patch cable for regular use - this is what stranded cable was meant for, use the right cable.

Oh, before I forget - You guys DO realize there are plugs for solid wire, plugs for stranded wire, and plugs that do both. It all has to do with the teeth of the plug and how it's configured. Obviously if your putting the wrong plug on the wrong wire, your going to have problems with it holding good or getting a good connection.
Do some research on RJ-45 plugs, will ya!

hi chaps,

with all this talk of cat5 & cat6, made me want to ask a few questions.

when you install a 'cat6' network - do you certify it as cat6? do you use a network analyser to provide a report that the cable you've just installed with comply with the requirements of a cat6 network?

with cat6, the cable acts more like a waveguide. so the installation characteristics are different (dont run them all in parallel lines to each other) etc.

apologies if any of you know this, but with all this talk of using cat5 terminals on the end of cat6 cable, just made me think.

gentlemen, your thoughts and comments please.

kind regards,
Jonathan.