"RJ45" crimp connector flavors

Don Y · 2013-12-09T10:52:38+00:00

Hi, I've asked this in several places (possibly even here, previously) and still haven't received a good answer... RJ45 (8P8C) connectors come in a variety of styles, chiefly cable type (flat vs round) and conductor type (solid vs stranded). The former distinction is relatively easy to recognize. But, the latter doesn't seem to be consistently recognizable! (yes, I've seen the Wikipedia page). Almost all of the connectors that I have *appear* (see above) to be for stranded wire -- despite coming out of bags marked "for solid wire"! OK, it's possible that the bags got mismarked at the factory (though I have examples of such from different vendors!). But, I wonder if it isn't just a "manufacturing economy"? I.e., if one type (e.g., stranded) worked equally well for the *other* type (e.g., solid), then I could see manufacturers making a single product (perhaps a *hybrid*) and packaging it as *both*! At least, that's the only reasonable explanation I can find for these observations... Can anyone shed any light on this? Or, *definitive* criteria that I can use to examine the IDC contacts of each connector for some subtle clues?? (I imagine I can dissolve the plastic body if necessary to ensure full access to an unmolested "pin") Thx, --don

Dec 09, 2013 41 Replies

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DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno 12 years ago

On Wed, 18 Dec 2013 21:23:31 -0700, Don Y Gave us:

So, you make a determination with the tests, and use the resultant data as information to examine the rest of the lot and segregate them from each other.

OR segregate them first, then find out which is which.

OR just buy a bag of what you need, and put the entire task aside.

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josephkk 12 years ago

off,

TIA-568 supports 22 through 28 AWG wire with 24 and 26 AWG being preferred. An awful lot of flexible cables are 26 AWG. Most connectors support only 24 AWG and 26 AWG. Some only one or t'other. Very few are labeled correctly.

?-)

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