Both home masters and professional civil engineers are interested in the correct algorithm for connecting the outlet for accessing the Internet. After all, functionality and speed of work depend on this. In this article, we will step by step how to connect a twisted pair cable to a power outlet. We also present the advice of specialists in this field.
Internet cable
How to connect a twisted pair to a power outlet? A step-by-step algorithm for solving the problem begins with the following:
- Install a router in a low-current shield. It plugs into a standard 220 V power outlet .
- Then it is necessary to lay a four-pair UTP cable of the 5E series in a separate strobe or cable channel (naturally, not connected with power lines). Another name is twisted pair. It is explained simply: the wires inside the cable are twisted into peculiar pigtails in two. This is done by the manufacturer for a reason: it was created to reduce the influence of interference.
- What about the choice of twisted pair for the Internet? Specified by us, for example, allows connection speeds of up to 1 Gb / s at intervals of up to 100 m. You can obtain more detailed technical specifications of the products from the seller, on the manufacturer’s official website.
- It is important to determine the types of twisted pairs - the screen version and the screen version. The screen is foil. This is applicable for networks where there is normal grounding.
- Note that only two Internet sockets are connected to a type 5E cable (four pairs of wires). Two pairs here will be involved separately.
- How to connect a twisted pair to a power outlet? The next step is to install the cable from the shield with the router to the socket. It is necessary to use a single piece of twisted pair.
- In conclusion, the cable is inserted into the installation box. The master necessarily leaves the necessary margin - from 15 cm and longer.
Socket Installation
We proceed now to the installation of an Internet outlet:
- First of all, the overlay is removed from the outlet. For ease of installation, the easiest way to get the caliper.
- If the design of the outlet allows, then you can first install the frame on the socket. Thanks to the grooves in it (standard frame), the horizontal position is easily adjustable.
- Screw the construction with 3 * 25 mm screws.
- It is recommended to check the strictly horizontal position of the structure with a special level of Pocket Electric electrician. If the compliance is strict, then you can tighten the screws. Note that if the frame is made of aluminum alloy (which is stronger than the previous ones in design), then it will magnetize to the level (the last master will have to keep his hand in weight).
- How are twisted pair sockets installed for the Internet? The next stage of actions is to “bite off” and leave a supply of wire with a length of at least 15 cm in the socket.
- Now carefully peel the top layer of insulation off the twisted pair. In order not to damage the cable conductors, we advise you to carry out the procedure with a special tool - a stripper. If you are not new to this business, then you can accurately cope with the task with an ordinary stationery knife.
- What is the maximum length of the cleaned surface? About 2.5 cm. Do not forget to carefully cut off the extra piece of thread between the wires with scissors. Why is it needed here? The thread is used to facilitate the opening of the outer sheaths of the cable over a long length. Hence its name - breaking thread. For example, in telephone cables, she will separate the voids and bundles.
- Next, you should carefully weave separately the conductors.
- Remove the inside of the outlet — the one that has the pins.
- To connect twisted pair should be armed with instructions for the outlet. It is either bundled or available on the device manufacturer’s website.
Connection Standards
How to connect a twisted pair to a power outlet? The next step is to open the cover of the (socket) of the contact part and carefully examine the marking. Remember that each socket of the RJ45 type can be connected in two ways:
- Type A. Arrangement of colors: white-orange, bright orange, white-green, blue, white-blue, green, white-brown, saturated brown.
- Type B. Arrangement of colors: white-green, green, white-orange, blue, white-blue, orange, white-brown, saturated brown.
Wiring diagram
How to connect the twisted pair with the contacts of the outlet? In most cases, wizards choose the second option - B. To figure out where to connect the wires is simple - you need to carefully inspect the socket. There, the manufacturer indicates which standard corresponds to which specific contact.
Let's take Unica as an example:
- Type A protocol here will relate to the top color coding. Accordingly, when connecting, you need to focus on these shades.
- Type B protocol, logically, is the bottom color coding.
If you figured out the standards and types of connections, then you actually overcame the most difficult stage of work. Further connection of the twisted pair will no longer cause difficulties.
The protocol B that we have chosen corresponds to the color scheme of the EIA / TIA-568B standard. On one side of the clip you will see the colors:
- White-orange.
- Bright orange.
- White-green.
- Bright green.
On the other side are the following colors:
- Bright blue.
- White and blue.
- White-brown.
- Saturated brown.
The twisted pair cable was laid by us in advance. At this stage of the work, you are undertaking the following:
- Pass the wire through the cover. Recall that its insulation layer should already be removed by 2.5 cm. In this case, it is not necessary to peel under the wall of the socket box! A piece with a lack of insulation should be of the smallest length. And it is not just words. The number of threads per 1 m of cable is strictly calculated and regulated.
- Now it remains to insert all the braided wires along the contact slots of the outlet.
- Then snap the cover. It is at this stage that it is recommended to cut off the protruding ends of the wire-cores.
- Let us dwell on the main advantage of Internet outlets. It is not necessary to remove insulation from the cores themselves, as well as to “bury” them to the copper wire! If you look closely, then knives are already installed inside such an outlet. What is their purpose? After you close the lid, these tools automatically cut the insulation, resulting in a contact connection. That is why in some instructions the manufacturer indicates that the use of crimps is prohibited. The fact is that the crossover is already included in the design: the lid closes, the knives cut the wires, laying them at the desired depth of the connector. So everything is simple and functional.
- In fact, the outlet is already connected. It remains to insert it into the caliper, a connector for a twisted pair.
- Now it’s small: install the front panel and (if available) a decorative frame.
Connecting to a router, crimping a connector
In general, we figured out how to work with an internal twisted pair when connecting the outlet. We pass to the next stage of work. After installing the Internet outlet, the master turns to connecting the twisted pair cable to the router located in the switchboard.
This is the following algorithm of actions:
- From the opposite end of the cable, a small section of insulation is removed - no more than 2-3 cm.
- Next, straighten, "fluff" the veins.
- We will insert them according to the above standard B.
- Be careful, the arrangement of colors should be considered from left to right: white-orange, bright orange, white-green, blue (blue), white-blue, bright green, white-brown, saturated brown.
- When does standard A apply? As a twisted pair tool, it is only needed to connect two computers to each other. The algorithm of actions here is somewhat different: one end of the cable is crimped in type B, the other in type A.
- By the way, we give professional wording. How to crimp an 8-core twisted-pair Internet connection? A patch cord is the compression of both ends of a cable according to the same standard - AA or BB. Cross is the case when they are interchanged (AB or VA).
- We draw your attention to the fact that when connecting to a router, you should not strip the cable wiring again. You just need to insert them all the way into the connector.
- Move on. The connector with the wiring is compressed by a special device - a crimper. However, many masters replace it with the tip of a knife or a thin screwdriver. When using improvised tools, be careful: the connector is easily damaged.
- Note that the twisted pairs 5E and cat6 in the RJ45 type connector are crimped according to a single principle. You will not need any other “plug” here. What is the difference? This is the data rate. Accordingly, in cat6 this characteristic will be higher.
Connection check
On one side of the cable, we completed the installation of an Internet outlet, on the other, crimped the connector. Further, it is desirable to check both the connection itself and the integrity of the connections. Here you can restrict yourself even to an inexpensive Chinese-made device.
The device consists of two parts. The first is a signal generator, which produces a pulse according to certain codes. The second is the receiver of these pulses.
The generator is connected by the master at the installation site of the router, and the receiver is connected directly to the Internet outlet itself. The next step is pulses. The master compares them:
- Alternately, the green lights on the instrument body light up. The system is working properly.
- One or more lights are off. Somewhere in the system there is a short circuit or break. First of all, a bad contact in the connector is "accused" of malfunctions. In most cases, it is there that the insulation from one of the conductors is not completely cut off, as a result of which the connection is not established.
After you have checked the work done, just insert the connector into the router, connect the computer to the network, and then test the Internet.
Connecting a four-wire telephone cable
Often this situation also arises: the socket is created under the standard "8 cores", and in your home for the Internet only a four-wire telephone cable is used. How to be in this case?
If you just start connecting the contacts to the wires by color, this will not lead to anything. The signal simply will not pass, even if you carefully combine the color wiring with the corresponding shade of the connectors. The masters will explain this by the fact that the use of contacts 1-2-3-6 is necessary for effective signal transmission.
Let’s explain how to do this in practice:
- Insert two core wires to pins 1-2. This is done as follows: a white-orange wire to a white-orange contact, an orange wire to an orange contact.
- On the other hand, we will start the wires for the remaining contacts 3-6. This is done as follows: white-blue postings to the white-green contact, blue (blue) postings to the green contact.
Only in this case the problem-free operation of the system is possible. Here, not the colors, but the positions will be important. Different shades are used by the manufacturer so that it is visually easier for you to distinguish the location of the same core at opposite ends of the twisted pair.
It is important to keep in mind another feature. The use of four wires (two pairs in the cable) makes possible a maximum data transfer rate of 100 Mbps. But if you need a connection to a gigabit network (up to 1 Gbit / s), then you need an eight-core cable.
In conclusion, I would like to parse the three most common mistakes that both beginners and experienced masters make when installing an Internet outlet.
Error No. 1
The most common mistake is the wrong position of the wires according to the protocol in the connector and the outlet itself. What does it look like? The master could turn them 180 °.
Error checking can be performed by a more careful study of the information on the body of the Internet outlet, familiarity with the color of the cores themselves.
The easiest way to identify inaccuracy is using a special tester with a receiver and generator. It will show an error like this: the bulbs will not light up alternately (from 1-8), which is typical for normal operation, but in an arbitrary, random order.
Mistake number 2
The second most popular mistake at first glance is insignificant. As you remember, we recommended that when installing an Internet outlet, cut off the wiring after closing the cover. Some craftsmen are in a hurry and shorten the cores to this point - immediately after laying the wires in the appropriate slots.
In this case, the core may accidentally fall out of the connector before slamming. Paste it cropped back will already be problematic. Often the way out of the problem is to conduct a new sweep and repeat the connection cycle in a new circle.
Big problems are encountered by those craftsmen who left the supply of twisted-pair cable in the mounting box too small - less than 15 cm.
Error No. 3
The last example of poor-quality work is the stripping of the outer insulation of a cable at a distance greater than 2.5 cm. That is, almost to the walls of the socket. Experienced masters sometimes make such a mistake even automatically, since in 220 V networks it is necessary to clean the insulation in this way.
The result will be a noticeable deterioration in signal quality and data rate. You can solve the problem only by redoing all the work again.
Hence the advice of experienced craftsmen: do not untangle the "pigtails" lived right up to the place where the isoslayer was cut. You do not need to use for this and such a rough tool, like a screwdriver. It is best to gently push the cores with your fingers to such a length that would allow the wires to go into the slots.
You and I’ve examined how to connect a twisted-pair cable to a power outlet and connector to create an Internet connection between the router and the computer. As you have seen, the process is simple. The most difficult stage: to figure out which core is connected to which pin in the socket itself according to existing standards. We also ask you to pay attention to the common mistakes of the masters.