New network cables from an unused spare Cat6 cable

After stripping down a couple of rooms in a client’s place, I came across a long, unused network cable coiled under the raised floor in one of the rooms. What I did was to take it back home and cut it into lengths of about a metre and made 4 patch cables. The RJ-45 connectors were inexpensive and I buy these in bulk always. Now I have 4 good network cables made from recycled cable. Remember always…reduce, reuse, recycle.

Cat6 connectors

I have a project going on now where we need to lay lots of Cat6 cables all over the place. We bought some great Cat6 cables made by Draka a few weeks back. When it comes to Cat6 cable, I have a supplier who sells me the Cat6 connectors for a very good price. I bought these a week back for the project. I have tested these connectors for my home network and I find them to be very good. They only cost about $15 for a bag of 50 so that makes it a few cents per connector. I also bought some connector “boots” for them as well.

Many are probably wondering why I chose Cat6 instead of Cat6A. Well, Cat6 is cheaper for this project with lots of runs. Also the connectors were cheaper. Cat6 cables are more than sufficient for this project and those Draka cables will do the job well.

Draka Cat6 network cable

A few days back, I was laying some new network cable for a project that I am currently in the midst of. This network cable was Cat6 cable manufactured by Draka. I am quite amazed by this cable as it is relatively inexpensive and works very well. Plus, the exterior shield was pretty tough. Looks like I will be using this cable for future projects from now on.

Berlite Cat6 UTP cable

These past few weeks, I have been attached to a project where we are installing a whole new audio system. Now, audio systems of today are mostly digital and so as a result we have to use good quality “interconnects”. Some of these are network cables. This is the first time I am using this Berlite brand of Cat6 UTP cable and I must say that it feels pretty good. I have been so used to buying Belden Cat6 cable and working with it that I kinda forget sometimes that there are alternatives in the market…good alternatives. In any case, it is great to use and I had no issues crimping it and using it. I must look out for this cable and probably get a box of it.

Cat6 Shielded Twisted Pair cable

While I was at a client’s place yesterday, I saw some spare Cat6 STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cable and I decided to myself…what the hell…let me make myself a totally shielded cable for the uplink from my cable modem to my router. Using the excellent Kramer RJ45s, I crimped a short cable and replaced the old uplink cable. Truth be told, I cannot tell if there is a difference or not but every little bit helps. I think that is what I am going to do from now on. Mission-critical stuff gets Cat6 STP, especially if they have to co-exist with a lot of cables carrying electricity. RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) is not to be sneezed at

Kramer Cat6 RJ-45 connectors

Just a few days back, I was at work crimping shielded-twisted-pair network cables. The project manager gave me a box of these Kramer RJ-45 connectors and I must say that using these Kramers to terminate the network cables was simply a joy to do, and so easy to do so too. After that, you just crimped the plug and fastened it with the collar to pinch the cable and you were done. I take back everything I say about crimping Cat6 shielded twisted pair network cables. I gotta get myself some of these Kramer connectors next time. They simply rock!

Cat6 RJ45 plugs

There is a difference between Cat6 and Cat5e RJ45 jacks, as can be seen in this picture from Widercable.com. The Cat6 RJ45 plugs have staggered inputs on the pins, vs the straight-line ones on the Cat5e on the right. The reason is because Cat6 cables use thicker copper, a smaller number AWG (American Wire Gauge) vs the Cat5e cable with a higher AWG. I have tried, albeit rather unsuccessfully, to crimp a Cat5e RJ45 on Cat6 cable. I managed to do it in the end after a lot of huffing and puffing literally. I am doing an install this week with Cat6 cable so I had to buy Cat6 RJ45 plugs. Using great quality Belden cable. Looking good!