Make Your own Patch (Or crossover lead)

KB ID 0000084 

Problem

You want to make your own Patch, (Or crossover lead).

Solution

You want to make your own Patch, (Or crossover lead).

1. First Get the right Tools! You will need:

a. Some Cable b. A set of RJ45 Crimpers c. Crimp on RJ45 connectors (Plugs) – You might want to fit some stress boots also. d. Cable Stripper e. Wire Cutters f. Cable Tester (Not essential)

2. If you are fitting stess boots put them on First!

3. Using your cable strippers , strip the insulation back to about two and a half inches from the end of the cable.

4. Remove the insulation, Note Some cables have a nylon cord running through them (to aid stripping – cut it off flush with insulation, because it will annoy the hell out of you).

5. The Wires will be in twisted pairs, seperate them and put them in the correct order, (From Left to right) see below.

There are two standards of Cat5 Wiring (568A and 568B) Most cat5 cables are wired 568B at both ends (cables from your PC to the wall, and from patch panels to switches etc). You will only need to wire one end 568A if you need a “crossover cable”. This is used between hubs,switches and routers (comms equipment.) But IS NEEDED if you are wiring one PC directly to another PC.

568B (From left to right)

1. White/Orange 2. Orange 3. White/Green 4. Blue 5. White/Blue 6. Green 7. White/Brown 8. Brown

568A (From left to right)

1. White/Green 2. Green 3. White/Orange 4. Blue 5. White/Blue 6. Orange 7. White/Brown 8. Brown

NOTE: You only use four of the eight wires (White/Orange, Orange, White/Green and Green)

6. Now with the wires in the right order ply them with your fingers to get them all laying straight (and in the right order) a couple of minutes spent doing this will save you cutting the plug off later :0)

7. Now leave (EXACTLY) one and a half centimeters of wire showing and snip the cores off (STRAIGHT) if using nippers – as shown – they cut on an angle so be careful.

8. Now slide on the plug, ensure none of the wires have “jumped” out of sequence and all the wires should come to the front end of the plug, if you have done this correctly, you should see eight bright copper cores on the end on the plug.

9. Now place the plug in the crimpers and “crimp away”.

10. If you fitted a stress boot earlier, you can now slide it up, and over the plug.

11. Tip Top! You’re halfway there!! Now repeat at the other end of the cable.

12. If you have a cable tester you can now test the cable, If not, put the cable in a “Working Link” to ensure it is trouble free.

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

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Author: Migrated

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