
Multi-gig Ethernet ports (2.5Gbps and faster) have become more common in recent years thanks to Wi-Fi 5, but Gigabit Ethernet is generally the most used wired connection in today’s devices. You may see Fast Ethernet ports (100Mbps) on some budget devices to keep the cost low. Mainstream desktops, laptops, modems, routers, set-top-boxes, smart TVs, and game consoles generally include at least one Gigabit Ethernet (1,000Mbps or 1Gbps) port. Your Ethernet ports probably don’t support those maximum speeds. Otherwise, the connector uses the eight standard contacts for backward compatibility.ĬAT 8a and CAT 8b use the standard RJ45 jack. A switch on the connector is activated by a compatible port that enables the cable to use its new contacts. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standardized this connector for CAT 7 and CAT 7a (along with the non-RJ TERA connector ).Īlso known as Augmented RJ45 (ARJ45), this design moves two of the four twisted pairs to the other side of the connector, providing 12 contacts combined.
CAT5E ETHERNET CONNECTOR PRO
It’s designed for network-enabled stage lighting, pro video, and pro audio devices. This is a ruggedized and lockable version of the RJ45 connector developed by Neutrik. The latter is typically used for new networks while the government requires the former T-568A wiring scheme. There are two wiring standards for the RJ45 connector: T-568A and T-568B. This connector is most commonly used on computers, routers, modems, game consoles, and other devices that support Ethernet connections. The “45” aspect simply means there were 44 registered devices before the Ethernet connector. Here are the three types of connectors:Ī registered jack is an interface connecting equipment to a networked device. Each wire inside the Ethernet cable (remember, four twisted pairs) slips into each position in the connector. A braided shield wraps around all twisted pairs and the divider.Įthernet cable connectors feature an 8-position 8-contact (8P8C) modular plug design. Outer Braided Shield/Foiled Twisted Pair (S/FTP) - Foil wraps around each twisted pair, which are separated by a cross divider.Outer Braided Shield/Unshielded Twisted Pair (S/UTP) - The individual twisted pairs are bare, but a braided shield wraps around all twisted pairs.Outer Foil Shielded/Unshielded Twisted Pair (F/UTP) - The individual twisted pairs are bare, but a foil shield wraps around all twisted pairs.Foiled Twisted Pair (FTP) - The twisted pairs are covered in foil inside the cable jacket.Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) - The twisted pairs are covered in a braided shield inside the cable jacket.Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) - The twisted pairs are bare inside the cable jacket.Here are the different forms of shielded and unshielded cables: They’re also typically more expensive due to the added materials. Shielded cables are thicker and less flexible than unshielded cables. Shielded cables also typically have a “drain” wire used for grounding to protect the cable against electrical surges. Cables based on CAT 6 and newer standards include shielding for better performance over older generations.
CAT5E ETHERNET CONNECTOR INSTALL

Shielded (External Ground) construction.Ensuring the best cable to plug combination, pass through plugs allow a push-pull method to seat the cable jacket as far into the plug as possible, minimizing crosstalk.


The ability to see the conductors come through the front of the plug allows you to verify the correct TIA 568A or 568B color sequence which minimizes bad terminations.
