How to Terminate and Install Cat5e, Cat6 Keystone Jacks

You have already run telecom network’s cross-connect cabling at home or office. Now, the last thing you would do is terminating and installing the Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a jacks. In order to meet customers numerous requests for wiring diagrams or general information on keystone jack installation. Fiber-MART has created this guide including the related materials, tools, premise wiring diagrams and technical information, and instruction steps on how to terminate and install keystone Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a keystone jacks.

 

Solid Cat5/Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6a cable (which you can get at Fiber-MART Ethernet Network Cable page)

Cable Stripper

110 Punchdown Tool

Conductor Clipping Tool

Network cable tester

 

Keystone Jackets are available for RJ-45 (Network), RJ-12 (Telephone), F (Cable TV COAX), BNC (Video Coax), RCA (Audio and Video), SVHS (Video), Banana Binding Posts (Speakers), ST ( Fiber Optic), and Blank to cover unused positions in Wall Plates or to make your own custom insert. RJ45 modular jack provides an excellent method of bringing network connections into any room. They fit into any standard keystone jack wall plate.

 

About T568A and T568B Wiring:

T568A and T568B are the two wiring standards for an 8-position modular connector, permitted under the TIA/EIA-568-A wiring standards document. The only difference between T568A and T568B (also known as Weco, AT&T 258A) is that the orange and green wire pairs (pairs two and three) are interchanged. T568B is very common in the USA. In the keystone keys, both T568A and T568B wiring schemes are labeled. 

 

The wires with corresponding colors are twisted in the network cabling and should remain twisted as much as possible when terminating them at a jack.

 

Each keystone jack is slightly different in how they are labeled and how the colors are arranged. The 568B standard is most commonly used and ends of the cable must have the same standards to communicate. There are three most common keystone jack styles as showed in the following pictures:
 

This jack style has 2 standard pairs on the right, and the 2 variable pairs on the left. The A standard is the center column and the B standard is on the left. Both A and B standard applies to the right side of the jack. The solid color box with the lower right corner missing represents the solid color wire with the white stripe. The white box with the colored tip represents the white wire with the colored stripe.

 

This jack style has both A and B standards on both sides of the jack, with the color code running down the center. The solid color rectangle represents the solid color wire with the white stripe, wile the half white half color rectangle represents the white wire with the colored stripe.

 

This jack style has the A and B standard codes labeled on the outside of the jack. With the A standard on top and the B standard on the bottom. The solid box represents the solid wire with the white stripe Wile the box with the white diagonal stripe going throught the middle, represents the white wire with the colored stripe.

 

Step 1. Cut a Cat5/5e/6/6a cable using a cable stripper. Trim the jacket of the cable about around 3/4" to 1" and rotate the stripper around the cable clockwise until the jacket is fully cut. Remove the jacket by simply pulling it off.

 

Note: Avoid damaging the conductors in the wire. If so, you need to cut the cable off and start again. 

 

Step 2. Separate the twisted wire pairs from each other; Untangle the scrap piece of jacket downwards on each pair of wires and then fan out all four twisted pairs.

 

Step 3. Remove the jack’s protective cap. You will see there are wire configurations printed near the termination slots. If you are given a choice between “A” and “B” configurations, choose whichever one you’d like. 
 

Note: Make sure to remember which one you’re using when it comes time to terminate the cable’s other end with a jack! Configurations must be the same at both ends of the network cabling..

 

Step 4. Match up the colored wires with the corresponding color codes on the keystone jack by placing all 8 wires into the center of the jack 8 wires into the center of the jack..

 

Step 5. Use a punch down tool to punch the wires down into the blades of the keystone jack which are designed to work with solid cable, and may not work with the stranded cable. To punch down each wire, press down on the punch down tool until you here a loud click and simultaneous, metallic-sounding “ping”. These noises are indicators that the punch-down has been done correctly. It is essential to make sure the blade is facing the outside of the keystone jack. If you reverse it, it will otherwise cut the wires inside. Sometimes, you may need to punch them down a second time and wiggle the wire to breaks clean off. 

 

Step 6. Check the quality of the punches. Inspect each termination slot along the outer edge of the jack; each wire should be firmly anchored at the bottom of its slot, and the wires’ copper conductors will be visible.

 

Step 7. Snap the header cover down over the connector. Press down over the wires until the header bottoms out on the top of the terminal.  On some jacks, the header is hinged on the back of the insert and others are actual separate plastic parts.  

 

Step 8. To insure a proper connection, you are suggested to test the network connection using a network cable tester. The steps on how to use a cable tester would be shown in the future article.

 

Step9. Carefully install the Insert into the wall plate hooking the bottom latch first and then pushing up on the Insert, engaging the upper latch. Screw the completed jack / faceplate assembly into the wall.