Black Box BLACK BOX CAT5/5e/6 LAN Performance Verifier Appendix D: Making a Correct UTP Cable

Appendix D: Making a Correct UTP Cable

Appendix D. Making a Correct UTP Cable

Twisted-Pair Cables: Unshielded twisted-pair cable is used for BASE-T applications because it is inexpensive, easy to use, and has excellent noise-canceling capabilities. A minimum of two pairs of twisted-pair wire are required for each computer that connects to the local area network:

•One pair of twisted-pair wire to transmit data.

•One pair of twisted-pair wire to receive data.

There are exceptions. 100BASE-T devices (called “T4”) require four pairs of wires. Also, Gigabit devices (1000 Mbps) require four pairs. In both cases, two pairs are used for transmit and two for receive.

As mentioned above, twisted-pair cable has separate pairs of wires twisted together to minimize crosstalk. If a wiring error is made and one pair of wire is “split” with another (“split pairs”), the excess crosstalk will most likely keep the link from operating properly.

To make a proper cable, first choose a twisted-pair cable that is adequate for your application. For instance, CAT5e cable for 100-Mbps and 1000-Mbps applications. Use solid-core wire when pulling inside a wall. Use stranded cable (“patch cable”) for jumpers.

•Remove the outer jacket of the twisted-pair cable, exposing about a 6 feet of wire on each end of the cable.

•Each pair of wire must be twisted together (after crimping, the wire should be twisted right up to the connector).

•Do not make the number one wiring mistake: “Split pairs” (a wire from one pair is swapped with a wire from another pair).

•To minimize mistakes, use a standard color code throughout your project. See the following page for the correct connector pin numbers associated with each BASE-T pair.

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