Charlotte Data Solutions gets asked a lot about “what the correct wiring method (or pinout) is for Cat 5e or Cat 6.” Related to this is a question we get often as well. “Does it matter which color goes where, or does it just have to be the same at both ends?”
Sometimes you have to make a repair to a cable on your own. this will help you do that.
Correct Wiring Pin Out for Ethernet Cables
Before you begin, you will need the correct connector for the type and size ethernet cabling you are using. For example, you will need CAT 6 connectors for CAT 6 Cable. Also pay attention to the wire Gauge. Most quality installation of CAT 6 have a thicker gauge wire than was used with Cat 5 cables. If you attempt to use a Cat 5 connector on a Cat 6 cable, you will not be able to properly terminate the cable.
In most cases, connectors for Cat 6 cable will be for 23 AWG wire, and will have a “loader” that must be feed into the cable before inserting the wires into the module. If you use an RJ45 for 25 AWG or Cat 5 RJ-45 Connectors on a 23 AWG cable, it will not terminate properly.
We always suggest using T-568B for wiring. This is the current industry standard. I can’t remember when the last time someone asked us to use T-568A.
With your RJ-45 connector facing so the cable opening is toward you, and the tab is down, the wiring would start with Orange Stripe and end with Brown solid. if you look at the pattern on the left, you will see the following.
Orange Stripe, Orange Solid, Green Stripe, Blue Solid, Blue Stripe, Green Solid, Brown Stripe, Brown Solid. Notice too as a double check that every other wire is stripe – solid – stripe -solid.
The only difference between A and B is the placement of the green and orange wires, otherwise it is the same thing. Both A and B wiring will provide a good connection, and will pass all tests. There is no real functional difference between A and B.
Contrary to popular belief, all the wires are required for 1Gbps (Gigabit Ethernet) and for VoIP / POE. This means that if you were to omit one of the wires in one of the pairs, the cable may not work, or if it did work you might only get 10/100 Mbps.
Technically it could work with just Orange and Green, however that is not the best practice, and it will only be a 10/100 connection that would certainly not support Power Over Ethernet (POE) which most IP phones or Access Points (AP’s) will require.
In Short, the order does matter. The pairs are designed to twist around each other to create a field of energy that prevents the signals passing through your cables from jumping from one pair to the next. If you mix up that pattern, you might possibly pass a continuity test, but it would never pass a certification, and likely would not even give you a Link Light when you plug in your device to that cable.
How do you wire up a Keystone or Ortronics Connector for a wall jack?
This is a little more complicated of a question. The pattern for this has to do with the particular brand. The pins will line up exactly as you see here, but the termination will vary from brand to brand. The brands we use, have a pattern that makes sense. You will have to look really close at the part you purchase for its pattern chart and follow the T-568B pattern.
For this termination you will need a 110 Style “punch down” tool. Typically, these will cost you about $50 for a cheaper one and could be much more depending on the brand and features. Notice in this picture how the Keystone gives a color chart for the placement of the wires, depend on if you are useing A or B. Again, we typically always use the B Pattern.
A third question we get often is: ” can i use a T-568A cable in wiring that was done for T-568B” The answer is yes you can. As long as each cable has either A or B on both sides. It wont matter if you terminate a cable with A on both sides and plug into a building wiring which was done on B pattern. However, If you terminate a cable with A on one side and B on the other side, this is what is known as a Cross Over Cable.
Back in the day we did use these for LAN Parties. (ask your grandfather what those are) With a Cross over cable, you can connect to computers directly together, without the need for a switch, or router. The Transmit wires cross over to the Receive location on the other end of the cable, allowing for the signal to “Cross over”.
I hope this has helped you with your repair.
If you need further assistance, we would be happy to have one of our Network Cable Techs come and fix whatever your building wiring needs are. Fill out our form on our contact us page