CAT 6 modules

thezappa · 9 Mar 2017 at 19:19

Hopefully some easy answers for these questions.

Is there a way of identifying CAT 6 modules against a CAT 5/e module (the kind you get in media plates in new build houses these days) if you have one in your hand in front of you?

Also I have seen that CAT6 cable is thicker due to it having extra shielding to prevent cross talk but is there a difference between RJ45 connectors you terminate it with? I asked our IT guy at work and he showed me a CAT 6 cable with a 'regular' RJ45 connector on it. I thought they had different connectors. Do they or does it not matter?

Thanks

neodude · 9 Mar 2017 at 19:51

There is no real difference tbh. CAT6 Connectors have a smidge extra room for the slightly larger wires but CAT5 ones fit fine.

Hyburnate · 9 Mar 2017 at 19:59

Cat6 cable has a larger core size, it varies per vendor but it's usually either 24 or 23AWG off the top of my head. For this reason as said above the IDC punchdown is a little larger. Most new build homes are installed on a budget and thus I'd hazard a guess it's like C5E.

I think the IT guy probably shown you a passthrough keystone style jack. If you take a photo I might be able to tell you just make sure there's a banana for scale

e; Just seen your other question - Terminate Cat6 on to Cat6 modules and panels, nothing less. There is obviously the difference in IDC as said above but I'd also say the quality in the copper is likely different, I couldn't say as at work I would only ever allow to install an entire Cat6 system due to vendor warranties

bledd · 9 Mar 2017 at 20:35

Module = euro mod wall port
Jack = the plastic end of a cable

They make cat6 specific modules and jack's.

Strictly speaking, cat 6 should never have a user fitted jack on it, modules only and then moulded cat6 patch leads.