New cat 6 wiring in house

A G

A G

A G

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Hello
My builder has run a number of cat 6 cables from my rooms to the router, but he has now just told me he wont be doing anything at the router end to the cables.
He also claimed from the 10 or so wires a cat6 has you only need to use a few.

He has said I will need to get someone out to do the connection but wasn't more specific, I'm curious what I need to do, I would expect with some guidance i can do it myself.

Also for each room I have purchased 1 Gang (1G) RJ45 Data Outlet Cat6, and he claimed at that end you only use a few of the 10 or wires, is he right and do i get him to do that connection at that end, and if so, which of the few wires should I be asking him to use... any further advice on this and the above question will be appreciated.

Thanks
 
Cat6 has 4 pairs of two cables (8 wires) and you need to use 2 pairs for a 100Mbps connection and all 4 pairs for a 1Gbps or 10Gbps connection.

So, yes, they need to terminate all the 8 wires for a true CAT6 connection. If the builder has only terminated two pairs at one end then you'll never get faster than a 100Mbps connection.

There are two connection standards - T568A and T568B. It doesn't matter which you use, but you must use the same at both ends of the cable.

https://community.fs.com/blog/introduction-of-the-rj45-interface.html

And you need a punchdown tool to terminate those connectors. A small screwdriver will not do the job properly.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Profession...st+punchdown+tool&qid=1622195719&s=diy&sr=1-5

If you want to terminate the cables yourselves then the easiest option at the 'router' end is a keystone patch panel using tool-free keystones like the ones from CCS Connectix. But tool-free is a bit of a misnomer as you still need a cable-stripper tool to prep the cable.

https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/patch-panel-frames/9504-24-way-unloaded-utp-keystone-patch-panel.html

https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/cat6-modules-outlets/9503-cat6-utp-tool-less-keystone-module.html

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cable-Stripper-Cutter-Stripping-Coaxial/dp/B01LXU5CSW/ref=sr_1_13?crid=2EG340H0F8ZU0&dchild=1&keywords=cable+stripper+tool&qid=1622194873&sprefix=cable+stripper,aps,151&sr=8-13

You will also need something to mount your patch panel into and generally that's a frame or cabinet

For houses I like the open frames but you compromise what can be fitted to 300 or 450mm deep whereas with a full-on cabinet you can get them up to 1m deep so you can put a full-on server in there.

https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/wall-...wall-mounted-data-cabinets-5056045700592.html

https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/brack...top_bottom_cover-without_plates/197-u_size-6u

And not being funny but if the cable is in, don't let the builder **** it up by terminating anything badly. Get a professional in. You can only cut that cable back so much and still have enough left to terminate it, so you really need to be able to do it right first time, or leave a good length of cable at either end to tuck away behind the connector.
 
Thanks for the detailed response.

I have confirmed and he has not and is not doing anything but putting the front plate in the rooms.
I came across this as I assume I need to crimp the cables at the router end, would this pack suffice for all the tools you have mentioned:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stripping-...ds=crimp+tool+for+rj45&qid=1622196128&sr=8-11

The area where I am running Cat 6 to, isn't going to be used for much else, so I wasn't planning on purchasing a rack, although I had not thought that far ahead, it makes it a lot tidier. Not sure how much space i'd left as planning on using under the stairs.

I'll read up more on your links, but do let me know if you think the link i have sent would suffice with all the tools I'd need?
Thanks
 
The challenge with kits is that they always have stuff in them that you don't need.

So, to terminate into the backplate, you just need the cable stripper and the punchdown tool.

If you want to terminate into the suggested RJ45 keystones you just need the wire stripper.

If you want to terminate as RJ45 plugs then you need the cable stripper, a pair of electricians SHARP scissors and a crimping tool with the appropriate RJ45 plugs. I would heartily recommend getting EZ connectors as they really are a lot easier to make up than standard ones, at least in the beginning. You don't need to buy the original Platinum tools EZ crimp tool or jacks, just look for EZ or pass-through connectors.

The cable tester is handy but actually a bit useless because in general if the cable works it will connect at 1Gbe and you know it works, or it connects at 100Mbps and you know you've wired it wrong on some of the pins or it doesn't work at all, in which case, just cut it off and rewire it, paying attention this time :)

Watch this to show you what you need.

Tutorial: Platinum Tools termination class (long version) - YouTube

I have a proper cable tester and it even measures the quality of each of the 8 cores so you know if you've nicked one with the stripping tool or if you've been a big aggressive with the bending somewhere.

Where are you in the UK? There are loads of people on Facebook who do this sort of thing for fun. Literally, they like to do this. And they'll pop round and do it all for something to do of an evening.
 
I was thinking maybe I'm getting more for my money with the kit, but 100% agree, some stuff you never use, esp. someone like.
Video looked very good, something I would attempt, with the right tools.
I'll need to do both i guess, as he has only run the cat 6 to the desired locations (each room and hub), am i right in my understanding of that?
I'm in London - That's interesting, how would I find such people on Facebook, like post an ad?

P.S how do i leave you like thumbs up or similar, you are extremely helpful?
 
A G said:
I was thinking maybe I'm getting more for my money with the kit, but 100% agree, some stuff you never use, esp. someone like.
Video looked very good, something I would attempt, with the right tools.
I'll need to do both i guess, as he has only run the cat 6 to the desired locations (each room and hub), am i right in my understanding of that?
I'm in London - That's interesting, how would I find such people on Facebook, like post an ad?

P.S how do i leave you like thumbs up or similar, you are extremely helpful?
Click to expand...

On Facebook, just post up that you’re looking for help. And someone will offer. 100% take up some kind of reference though.

If you promise to send them back, I’ll happily lend you the tools to do the work.

You can’t leave feedback, but if I’ve helped, that’s all I need to know. I get as much help in other areas from others from the Internet, so if I can help in this, that’s a way of paying the Internet community back.
 
A G said:
. any further advice on this and the above question will be appreciated.
Click to expand...
About two years ago I started wiring up the house with CAT6 cabling/face plates/patch panels etc. I'd not done any kind of structured networking before so had to learn how to crimp cables etc. To be honest, with a willingness to try and be prepared to get it wrong a few times, eventually you can start crimping connectors fairly reliably, albeit not as quickly as someone who does it all the time.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01NCRL5NW - these are the CAT6 RJ45 connectors I use.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XT1Z7CH - this is the cable tester I use. Literally plug each end of the cable into each part of the tester and make sure all the lights light up and in the same order for each end of the cable.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0744HPB43 - punch down impact tool; if you are going to connect cables directly to the back of a face plate/patch panel, you'll need a similar tool.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B076MGPQZQ - Klein cable crimper, works with RJ45 and RJ11. I love this tool, nice bit of kit.

What I'd suggest is getting some CAT6 cable and just practice, until you can do it reliably - you don't want to try for the first time on the cabling your builder has put in! Also, as WJA96 has said, there are the two cabling standards, I started with T568B as that seems to be most widely used nowadays. Stick to the same standard throughout.

T568B layout - https://images.app.goo.gl/zHVnY3itJMY9XqtG9
 
WJA96 said:
On Facebook, just post up that you’re looking for help. And someone will offer. 100% take up some kind of reference though.

If you promise to send them back, I’ll happily lend you the tools to do the work.

You can’t leave feedback, but if I’ve helped, that’s all I need to know. I get as much help in other areas from others from the Internet, so if I can help in this, that’s a way of paying the Internet community back.
Click to expand...

Thanks - sorry havent been on the forum to respond - I wouldnt feel right borrowing your stuff, the help you are providing is more than enough, I will look to purchase the equipment.
 
pp111 said:
Of that Kit I think I use four of the items. The round cable cutter is very useful. The push tool, is essential as is the crimp tool. The tester is also essential. The only part of the kit I might criticise is the crimp tool, which is important that you have one that works well. I use this one...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0000AZK4G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Click to expand...
Oh Thanks
Would you say the crimp tool that comes with that package isn't as effective?
I need to kinda balance things out and not overly spend, realistically I wont be doing this again but I need to crimp around 15+ cables, i have 7 for the CCTV and around 8 around the house for network connectivity
 
TangoEchoAlpha said:
About two years ago I started wiring up the house with CAT6 cabling/face plates/patch panels etc. I'd not done any kind of structured networking before so had to learn how to crimp cables etc. To be honest, with a willingness to try and be prepared to get it wrong a few times, eventually you can start crimping connectors fairly reliably, albeit not as quickly as someone who does it all the time.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01NCRL5NW - these are the CAT6 RJ45 connectors I use.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XT1Z7CH - this is the cable tester I use. Literally plug each end of the cable into each part of the tester and make sure all the lights light up and in the same order for each end of the cable.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0744HPB43 - punch down impact tool; if you are going to connect cables directly to the back of a face plate/patch panel, you'll need a similar tool.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B076MGPQZQ - Klein cable crimper, works with RJ45 and RJ11. I love this tool, nice bit of kit.

What I'd suggest is getting some CAT6 cable and just practice, until you can do it reliably - you don't want to try for the first time on the cabling your builder has put in! Also, as WJA96 has said, there are the two cabling standards, I started with T568B as that seems to be most widely used nowadays. Stick to the same standard throughout.

T568B layout - https://images.app.goo.gl/zHVnY3itJMY9XqtG9
Click to expand...


Thanks

the 4 items is all I'd need you would say based on your experience?
I too havent done this sort of stuff, but more than prepared to try - I've seen many videos on how to crimp the cable which plugs in to a device like a router, but unsure what its called where you have a wall plate and you plug 1 end of a cat5/cat6 cable in to the wall and the other into a laptop/PC... I presume I need to do something different on the wall end of my CAT6 cable to allow me to plug in a Cat5/Cat6 cable into the wall and the other end into the laptop/PC?
 
A G said:
I presume I need to do something different on the wall end of my CAT6 cable to allow me to plug in a Cat5/Cat6 cable into the wall and the other end into the laptop/PC?
Click to expand...

No you have rj45 plugs on either end, at home you should be terminating your cables in wall sockets/faceplates/patch panels so you only need a punch down tool, they sometimes throw a disposable one in for free, just buy patch cables you shouldn't be making them from the same structured cabling that you bury in the walls
 
A G said:
Thanks

the 4 items is all I'd need you would say based on your experience?
I too havent done this sort of stuff, but more than prepared to try - I've seen many videos on how to crimp the cable which plugs in to a device like a router, but unsure what its called where you have a wall plate and you plug 1 end of a cat5/cat6 cable in to the wall and the other into a laptop/PC... I presume I need to do something different on the wall end of my CAT6 cable to allow me to plug in a Cat5/Cat6 cable into the wall and the other end into the laptop/PC?
Click to expand...

As @Dg834man has said, you should be using patch cable to go from the wall face plate to your device. The cabling you put in the wall is made of thicker, singular strands of cable, whereas patch cables are made of many thinner strands. The idea is that the thick, structural cable goes in the wall etc and connects to patch panels/face plates. The patch cables then go from the face plate/patch panel to devices. Patch cables are designed/intended to take a bit of abuse, structured cables intended to be installed and then left in situ.

You can make up patch cables with offcut structural cables (indeed, I did so to make use of offcuts) but that's not the 'proper' way of doing it. But it would be a good way of practicing the crimping etc. HTH.
 
A G said:
Oh Thanks
Would you say the crimp tool that comes with that package isn't as effective?
I need to kinda balance things out and not overly spend, realistically I wont be doing this again but I need to crimp around 15+ cables, i have 7 for the CCTV and around 8 around the house for network connectivity
Click to expand...

I don't know how effective it is, because I stuck with the one that works really well. I guess what I am saying is the tool that is most likely to cause you issues is the crimp tool, and its one thing you really need to get right.
 
TangoEchoAlpha said:
As @Dg834man has said, you should be using patch cable to go from the wall face plate to your device. The cabling you put in the wall is made of thicker, singular strands of cable, whereas patch cables are made of many thinner strands. The idea is that the thick, structural cable goes in the wall etc and connects to patch panels/face plates. The patch cables then go from the face plate/patch panel to devices. Patch cables are designed/intended to take a bit of abuse, structured cables intended to be installed and then left in situ.

You can make up patch cables with offcut structural cables (indeed, I did so to make use of offcuts) but that's not the 'proper' way of doing it. But it would be a good way of practicing the crimping etc. HTH.
Click to expand...

I guess I only need to really understand/see a video of what i need to do to the Cat6 cable at the wall end, as the builder has just put the plate on.
any vids or advise on how i do this would help me understand the full process.
 
How to make CAT5e & CAT6 cables (crimping RJ45 connectors) - it's an old Tek Syndicate video which I found useful when I learned how to crimp cables. He doesn't use the T568B standard, but shows how easy it is to crimp cables.

Skip to 6 minutes for CAT6:

 
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