Cable Matters makes many great cables, including Ethernet cables. But you can always make your own if you need a certain length of cable that isn’t included or if you want to save a little money. This article is about how to Make an Ethernet Cable.
An Ethernet cable, which is also sometimes called a network cable, is a cord that connects your computer to a router, modem, or network switch. This gives your computer access to the local area network (LAN), or the internet.
Your internet connection will be faster and more reliable if you wire it into your home. If walls or other things don’t block your Wi-Fi signals, your internet speed won’t drop all of a sudden. To do it, you’ll need a few tools, some time, and a good selection of Ethernet RJ45 (8P8C) plugs, depending on the type of cable you’re trying to connect. We are mentioned some steps to make an Ethernet Cable.
How to Make an Ethernet Cable
- Spool out your length of cable: Pull out enough cable to run the length required for your installation. Be sure to allow enough to trim several inches off each end. It’s always better to go a little longer than to not have enough cable!
- Strip off the outer jacket: Put the wire in the wire stripper. In this example, we’re going to use a round Cat 5 cable. If you use a flat cable, you’ll need a flat cable stripper. Most strippers made to make network cables can work with either type of cable.
- Separate your wire pairs: Untwist all 4 pairs of wires and straighten them out the best you can. If there are any white fibers or a plastic divider in the center you can now trim it off.
- Arrange wires according to diagram: Line up the individual wires in the order shown on your diagram. In our example we used the common Wiring Diagram B layout. Use your thumb and index finger to straighten out all the individual wires, while keeping a good grip to keep them in order.
- Cut the wires: Cut the wires flush about 1/2″ from where the jacket was stripped off the cable. Make sure to leave enough that the ends of the wires are able to reach the pins of the connectors.
- Insert wires into connector: Insert the wires into the connector. Make sure the connector is oriented properly, the release tab should be facing down toward the ground.
- Crimp the connector: Insert your connector with the wire inside the 8P8C slot of your crimp tool. Give the crimp tool a good squeeze to ensure it goes through the full range of motion and creates a proper crimp.
What You Need to Make Custom Ethernet Cables
If you don’t need the fastest network performance possible, Cat 6 or Cat 6a are the best Ethernet cables to make on your own. They have great speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps or 10 Gbps (Cat 6a can do this at longer distances) and are well protected against crosstalk and signal degradation.
Once you know what kind of cable you want to make, you need to buy the right RJ45 modular plugs, like these great Cat 6 and Cat 6a plugs. You’ll also need enough bulk stranded Ethernet cable to make the number and length of cables you want. All of the bulk Ethernet cable from Cable Matters is made of pure copper, not copper-clad aluminum, and it follows all rules for communications cabling.
Even though there are a few options for bulk Ethernet cabling, most of them will work fine for home use. You should choose at least cabling that is rated for in-wall use (CM). There are also riser rated (CMR) and plenum jacket (CMP) cables, which offer better protection against fire, if that’s something you’re worried about. However, they were made with office buildings in mind.
FAQs
Ethernet cables can be quite expensive and pre-made lengths are not always the length you need. Making Ethernet cables is easy with a box of bulk Category 5e Ethernet cables and RJ-45 connectors that are attached to the cut ends of your preferred cable length.
At its most basic, Ethernet cable consists of 4 twisted pairs covered in an outer sheath. Some cables may include a spline or star filler to help keep the cable round. Other options include rip cords (for stripping the sheath) and drain wires.
You can convert your coaxial cable TV wiring in your home to an Ethernet connection, using a small device called a Coax-to-Ethernet Adapter (also called a MoCA Adapter), that will make your Internet and Wi-Fi connection faster and more reliable.
