Welcome to the D-Lay Cable official blog. With over 15 years of experience in manufacturing high-performance network cables and accessories, we’re not just a supplier; we’re your partner in building reliable network infrastructures. Whether you’re a professional installer, an IT manager, or a dedicated DIY enthusiast, understanding how to create your own ethernet cables is an invaluable skill. It allows for custom lengths, cleaner installations, and significant cost savings on large projects.
dlaycable will walk you through the professional, step-by-step process of terminating a Cat5e ethernet cable. We’ll focus on using quality materials and proper techniques to ensure your custom cable performs flawlessly, meeting the high standards we uphold for all D-Lay Cable products.
Essential Tools and Materials (The D-Lay Cable Toolkit)
Starting with the right equipment is the first step to a professional result. A poor-quality crimper or connector can compromise the entire cable. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bulk Cat5e Cable: This is the foundation. For superior performance and reliability, we strongly recommend using a 100% pure copper UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Cat5e cable. D-Lay Cable offers UL-certified, Fluke-tested bulk cable designed for maximum signal integrity.
- RJ45 Connectors: These are the plastic plugs at each end. There are standard and pass-through types. Pass-through connectors, which allow the wires to slide all the way through the plug, are highly recommended for beginners as they make it easier to verify the wire order.
- Ethernet Crimping Tool: This tool is essential. It securely fastens the RJ45 connector to the cable and presses the pins into the wires. A good crimper will also have a built-in cable cutter and jacket stripper.
- Cable Stripper: While many crimpers have a stripper, a dedicated tool can offer more precise control to avoid nicking the inner wires.
- Scissors or Flush Cutters: You’ll need these for a clean, straight cut of the inner wires.
- Network Cable Tester: This is not optional. A tester is the only way to be 100% certain your cable is wired correctly and has good continuity on all 8 pins. It’s the final step in quality assurance.
- (Optional) Strain Relief Boots: These rubber or plastic boots slide over the cable before you crimp the connector. They provide a more professional look and protect the connector’s locking tab from snagging or breaking.
Understanding the T568B and T568A Wiring Standards
Inside an ethernet cable are 8 wires, organized into 4 twisted pairs. To make a functional cable, these wires must be arranged in a specific order. There are two industry-standard color code schemes: T568A and T568B.
- T568B: This is the most common standard used today for new networks. We will be using T568B in this guide.
- T568A: This standard is often seen in older government or residential installations.
For a standard “straight-through” cable (used to connect a computer to a switch, router, or wall jack), you must use the same standard on both ends. Using T568B on one end and T568A on the other creates a “crossover” cable, which is rarely needed with modern networking equipment.
Our recommendation: Stick with T568B for all your cables to maintain consistency.
T568B Wire Order (from left to right, with the connector tab facing down):
- Orange-White
- Orange
- Green-White
- Blue
- Blue-White
- Green
- Brown-White
- Brown
Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Cat5e Cable
With your tools and materials ready, let’s build your cable. Take your time on each step.
Step 1: Measure and Strip the Cable
First, cut your bulk cable to the desired length, adding a few extra inches to account for any mistakes. Using your cable stripper or the stripper on your crimping tool, carefully score and remove about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the outer PVC jacket from one end of the cable. Be careful not to cut into the twisted pairs inside.
Step 2: Prepare and Untwist the Wires
Once the jacket is removed, you will see the 4 twisted pairs of wires. Some cables may also have a plastic spline or a nylon string (rip cord); you can trim these flush with the jacket. Carefully untwist each pair and straighten the 8 individual wires as much as possible. The straighter they are, the easier they will be to manage.
Step 3: Arrange the Wires (T568B Standard)
This is the most critical step. Arrange the 8 wires flat and parallel to each other, in the exact T568B order. Again, that order is:
Orange-White, Orange, Green-White, Blue, Blue-White, Green, Brown-White, Brown.
Pinch the wires tightly together to keep them in order. Double-check the color sequence.
Step 4: Trim the Wires and Insert into the Connector
While holding the wires firmly in order, use your flush cutters or scissors to trim them to about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) long from the edge of the jacket. The cut must be perfectly straight and clean. Now, take an RJ45 connector with the locking tab facing down. Carefully slide the aligned wires into the connector until they hit the end. If you are using pass-through connectors, the wires will come out the front, making it easy to visually confirm the order one last time. The outer jacket should be pushed inside the connector by about 1/4 inch to ensure it gets properly secured by the crimper.
Step 5: Crimp the Connector
Insert the RJ45 connector into the appropriate slot on your crimping tool. Squeeze the handles of the tool firmly and completely. You should hear and feel a “click.” This action does two things: it pushes the gold-plated pins down to pierce the wire insulation and make contact, and it secures the cable jacket to the connector for strain relief. Remove the connector and give it a gentle tug to ensure it’s secure.
Step 6: Repeat for the Other End
Now, simply repeat steps 1 through 5 on the other end of the cable. Remember to use the same T568B wiring standard to create a straight-through cable.
Testing Your Cable: The Final Quality Check
Never skip this step. A cable that looks perfect can still have a fatal flaw. Plug both ends of your newly made cable into a network cable tester. A good tester will have a series of lights (1 through 8) that correspond to each wire. As it tests, the lights on both the main and remote units should light up sequentially in the same order. If they do, congratulations! You have a perfectly working cable. If lights are out of order, dim, or don’t light up at all, you have a problem like a short, open, or crossed pair. In this case, you’ll need to cut off the connector and try again.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Incorrect Wire Order: The #1 mistake. Always double-check the T568B sequence before crimping.
- Jacket Not Secured: If the outer jacket isn’t inside the connector when crimped, the cable will lack strain relief and can fail easily.
- Wires Not Fully Seated: Ensure every wire is pushed all the way to the end of the connector before crimping.
- Nicked Inner Wires: Be gentle when stripping the outer jacket. A nick in a wire’s insulation can lead to performance issues.
D-Lay Cable: Your Partner for Professional Networking
At D-Lay Cable, we believe that a network is only as strong as its weakest link. That’s why we are committed to providing professional-grade, certified products that you can trust—from our bulk cables and patch cords to our connectors and tools. For large-scale projects, our OEM/ODM services allow you to get custom-branded, pre-terminated cables built to your exact specifications, saving you time and ensuring consistent quality across your entire installation.
Thank you for trusting D-Lay Cable. Explore our full range of high-quality networking products or contact our team for your next project. Happy networking!