homemade RJ45 cat5e won't lock into sockets

rangor gubbins · 17 May 2010 at 19:01

Has anyone had any experience with making their own RJ45 cat5e patch cable?
I've bought all the ingredients from a well known high street electronics store. Fitted it all together as per instructions found on web. The connection seems ok, but i can't get the plug to lock into the socket. The RJ45 plug remains loose and could easily fall out if nudged.
Anyone know what i'm doing wrong?

DJMK4 · 17 May 2010 at 19:10

Sometimes brand new RJ45 connectors wont lock in properly, you know the little plastic bit you push in to remove it from the socket? try bending it upwards a little bit (dont snap it off tho), then try putting it back in the socket

d_brennen · 17 May 2010 at 19:12

Squeezed it too tight with the crimps? I've made loads of network cables and they always click into place. That is using plugs and crimps from that place... Try putting an unused one into the port and see if it is a snug fit?

Caged · 17 May 2010 at 19:32

Cheap/broken crimpers push down too much on the clips and cause this problem. You should be able to bend it out (not too much) and it should fit nicely after that.

SupermotoMX · 17 May 2010 at 22:13

dont break the clip off :/ i have too many network cables lieing around because i will think of a fix to get them to stay in... still havnt.

DJMK4 · 17 May 2010 at 22:20

SupermotoMX said:
dont break the clip off :/ i have too many network cables lieing around because i will think of a fix to get them to stay in... still havnt.

Simple solution is dont bend it too hard then

Seriously all the network ends I have had that dont clip in, just lift and bend the clip up a tad and it will clip in every time.

rangor gubbins · 17 May 2010 at 22:38

cheers for the tips guys. You're right, its the clip being pushed down too much by the crimps. i managed to ease the clip up withou breaking it and it is a bit better. not as good as some shop-made cables i have though.

gaara · 20 May 2010 at 13:40

Here is a cable tie solution i came across on lifehacker. though i have not tried this myself it looks plausible

http://lifehacker.com/5414106/repair-a-broken-ethernet-plug-with-zip-ties

Caged · 20 May 2010 at 14:12

It's quicker to just re-crimp to be honest.

Dist · 20 May 2010 at 14:43

These days it's cheaper to just buy pre-made cable than it is to do it yourself. I would only do my own cable if doing long runs of it throughout my house, but for the standard <10m length cables it's easier and cheaper to just buy the ready made ones.