The Ultimate Guide to Terminating Cat6 Cable: RJ45 & Keystone Jack

At D-Lay Cable, we don’t just supply premium-grade networking components; we empower professionals and enthusiasts to build robust, high-performance networks. A network’s strength is only as great as its weakest link, and improper cable termination is a common point of failure. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the precise steps for terminating Cat6 cable for both RJ45 plugs and keystone jacks, ensuring you get the full speed and reliability you paid for.

Why Proper Termination is Non-Negotiable

Terminating a Cat6 cable might seem like a simple task, but doing it correctly is critical for network performance. A sloppy termination can lead to:

• Reduced Speeds: Fails to meet the 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps speeds Cat6 is designed for.
• Signal Loss & Crosstalk: Poorly managed wire pairs can cause data packets to interfere with each other, leading to errors and re-transmissions.
• Intermittent Connectivity: The connection may work one minute and fail the next, making troubleshooting a nightmare.
• Failed Certifications: Professional installations must pass certification tests, which an improper termination will instantly fail.

Using high-quality, certified materials like our D-Lay Cable Cat6 bulk cable is the first step. The second is mastering the termination process.

Your Toolkit: Essential Tools and Materials

Before you begin, gather the right tools. Investing in quality tools will save you time and prevent frustration. At D-Lay Cable, we believe in using the right equipment for a professional result.

• High-Quality Cat6 Bulk Cable: We recommend our solid conductor Cat6 cable for structured cabling runs that end in keystone jacks or patch panels.
• Cat6 Connectors:
  • RJ45 Plugs: Ensure they are specifically rated for Cat6. The internal channels are designed to accommodate the thicker 23 AWG wires of Cat6 cable. Standard or pass-through types are available.
  • Keystone Jacks: Choose jacks that match your cable rating (Cat6) for wall plates and patch panels.
• Crimping Tool: A quality crimper is essential for securing an RJ45 plug to the cable. Many modern crimpers support both standard and pass-through plugs.
• Cable Stripper: A dedicated UTP/STP cable stripper will remove the outer jacket without damaging the inner wire pairs.
• Flush Cutters / Wire Snips: For a clean, straight cut of the wires.
• Punch-Down Tool: This is required for terminating wires into a keystone jack. A 110-style blade is the standard.
• Cable Tester: This is the most important final step. A simple continuity tester can confirm a correct pinout, while more advanced certifiers will test for speed and performance metrics.

The Golden Rule: Understanding T568A vs. T568B

There are two recognized wiring standards for terminating Ethernet cables: T568A and T568B. While functionally identical, T568B is the most common standard used in commercial and residential networking today. The most important rule is consistency. Use the same standard on both ends of a single cable run to create a “straight-through” cable.

Here are the color codes, looking at the RJ45 plug with the tab facing down:

How to Terminate a Cat6 Cable with an RJ45 Connector (T568B)

This is for creating patch cables or connecting a device directly to a cable end.

1. Step 1: Strip the Cable Jacket. Using your cable stripper, carefully score and remove about 1-1.5 inches (3-4 cm) of the outer jacket. Be careful not to nick the insulation of the twisted pairs inside.
2. Step 2: Prepare the Wires. You will see four twisted pairs and likely a plastic spline (pair separator). Cut and remove the spline and any rip cord flush with the jacket.
3. Step 3: Untwist and Straighten. Untwist the four pairs back to about half an inch (1.25 cm) from the jacket. The less you untwist, the better your signal quality will be. Straighten each of the eight individual wires as much as possible.
4. Step 4: Arrange the Wires. Align the eight wires in the T568B color order (White/Orange, Orange, White/Green, Blue, White/Blue, Green, White/Brown, Brown). Double-check the order.
5. Step 5: Flatten and Trim. Pinch the aligned wires together to flatten them into a neat, flat ribbon. Use your flush cutters to trim the ends perfectly straight, leaving about a half-inch of wire exposed from the jacket.
6. Step 6: Insert into RJ45 Plug. With the plug’s locking tab facing down, carefully slide the aligned wires into the plug. Push firmly until all wires reach the very end of the plug. Visually inspect from the top and end of the plug to ensure every wire is fully seated and in the correct channel. The cable jacket should be pushed inside the plug for proper strain relief.
7. Step 7: Crimp. Insert the plug into the appropriate slot on your crimping tool. Squeeze the handles firmly and evenly. You should hear a click as the pins are driven into the wires and the strain relief clamp secures the cable jacket.

How to Terminate a Cat6 Cable into a Keystone Jack

This is for creating network connections in wall plates and patch panels.

1. Step 1: Strip the Jacket. As before, strip about 1-1.5 inches of the outer jacket from the end of the cable.
2. Step 2: Prepare the Wires. Cut the spline and rip cord. You do not need to untwist the pairs as much for a keystone jack.
3. Step 3: Align with the Color Code. Your keystone jack will have a color code diagram printed on its sides, showing both ‘A’ (T568A) and ‘B’ (T568B) schemes. Choose the ‘B’ scheme.
4. Step 4: Seat the Wires. Place each wire into its corresponding color-coded slot on the jack. Do not untwist the pairs more than necessary to seat them. The wire should rest over the small metal blades inside the slot.
5. Step 5: Punch Down the Wires. Take your 110-style punch-down tool. Place the blade over a wire and press down firmly until you hear a loud “thwack.” The tool will simultaneously seat the wire, pierce the insulation to make a connection, and trim the excess wire. Repeat for all eight wires.
6. Step 6: Final Assembly. Inspect your work to ensure all wires are fully seated. Attach the jack’s dust cap, which often helps with strain relief. The keystone jack is now ready to be snapped into a wall plate or patch panel.

The Final, Crucial Step: Testing Your Connection

Never skip testing. A simple cable tester will send a signal down each of the 8 pins, confirming continuity and the correct pinout. Plug one end of your cable into the main tester unit and the other end into the remote unit. A successful test will show a 1-to-1 pinout (1-1, 2-2, 3-3, etc.). If you see a miswire, cross, or no connection, you’ll need to re-terminate the end(s). For professional jobs, a full certification test is required.

Pro Tips from D-Lay Cable

• Maintain the Twist: The twist in the wire pairs is essential for preventing crosstalk. Do not untwist the wires more than 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) from the point of termination.
• Proper Strain Relief: Always ensure the cable’s outer jacket is securely clamped inside the RJ45 plug or keystone jack. This protects the delicate wires from being pulled or bent.
• Use a Pass-Through Connector: If you are new to terminating, pass-through RJ45 plugs allow the wires to poke out the front, letting you visually confirm the wire order before you crimp. A special pass-through crimper trims the excess wires automatically.
• Quality Matters: The difference between a cheap connector and a quality, certified one is immense. High-grade components, like those we offer at D-Lay Cable, ensure a solid, long-lasting physical connection that can handle high speeds.

Conclusion: Building Networks That Last

Properly terminating your Cat6 cable is a skill that turns a box of components into a high-performance digital highway. By following these steps, using the correct tools, and starting with superior materials from a trusted supplier like D-Lay Cable, you are building a reliable network foundation. You’re not just connecting wires; you’re ensuring the integrity and speed of the data that flows through them for years to come.