Help with Ethenet cable.

[MoonPig]

Hey,

Basically i need to thread an ethernet cable through two holes and to a computer. Now, the holes aren't big enough for the head of the ethernet, but the wire will fit through fine. I can't make the holes bigger as they need to stay hidden / i don't have the tools.

Is it possible for my to either:

Remove the head, thread the cable and replace the head.
or
Cut the cable about an inch from the head, thread it, then connect each wire back, use some tape to cover.

Thanks

[Meow9000]

I belive theres a special tool you can buy to reconnect the pins, i remember selling them when i worked in maplins as tech sales, though im not sure what they are called, tis a very fussy job though.

~meow

[MoonPig]

Don't want to be buying tools i'll only use once....

Can i re-connect it?

[Mussels]

you need an RJ45 crimper and new heads for the cable to do what you ask.

its not possible to re-use the heads on the end of the cable.


By cutting the cable and reattaching the wires, you're ruining the 'shielding' provided by twisting the cables and letting EMI in - you'd have an unreliable connection at best.

[Frick]

You need a crimp tool and some connectors:

[MoonPig]

Edit,

Damn.

Hmmm... not sure what to do then.

[Frick]

That is fully possible, but not very recommenden. I used a cable for that like some time and it worked just fine.

[MoonPig]

Well, i could do it as a quick fix...

Then abit down the line do it properly.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by MoonPig

Well, i could do it as a quick fix...

Then abit down the line do it properly.

cut the end off, thread it through - then leave it be til you get the tool and new heads and do it properly.

[Frick]

Originally Posted by Mussels

cut the end off, thread it through - then leave it be til you get the tool and new heads and do it properly.

Out of curiosity: What will the effect be of it's only a single cable to a computer that's not running anything important ie random browsing, mailing etc?

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Frick

Out of curiosity: What will the effect be of it's only a single cable to a computer that's not running anything important ie random browsing, mailing etc?

the effect would range from a working network, to a fried network card if the wires touched.

its not an acceptable risk - dont try it.

[MoonPig]

Grrr... It's like £10 + postage for something i'll use for 2mins. Then most likely never again....

WTBORROW time...

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by MoonPig

Grrr... It's like £10 + postage for something i'll use for 2mins. Then most likely never again....

WTBORROW time...

you'll likely use it more than once - i use mine to replace the heads on my cables everytime some douche breaks the clips off my cables.

[Frick]

Originally Posted by Mussels

the effect would range from a working network, to a fried network card if the wires touched.

its not an acceptable risk - dont try it.

That's why we use electrical tape.

I'm not saying he shouldn't do it the bad way, just that it is possible to do it safe.

Also, +1 on Mussels latest post. Once you get used to do it, you can't imagine a life with out a crimper.

[DR.Death]

u can do it that way and it will work fine i have one that i made and its cut in the center and on both ends and it works fine

[DanTheBanjoman]

Originally Posted by Mussels

By cutting the cable and reattaching the wires, you're ruining the 'shielding' provided by twisting the cables and letting EMI in - you'd have an unreliable connection at best.

The "shielding" on an unshielded twisted pair cable, ehm? I highly doubt the cable will work that bad when reconnecting the actual wires, though I would recommend against it. Crimpers cost < $10 and heads cost a few cents each.


I recommend looking for connectors that have a separate plastic thingy where you can put the wires through before you put it in the actual connector. They work a lot easier, specially if you've never done it before.

[Mussels]

i said it with 'thingies' for a reason

the twisting prevents EMI interference by countering each other out. if he patches them together after cutting them, he's leaving a straight patch without any twisted wire to reduce/counter the EMI

i cant remember the exact length of untwisted cable mentioned in my course i did years ago, but it wasnt very long - an inch or two of untwisted cable could cause the cable to stop working

[3870x2]

Originally Posted by Mussels

you need an RJ45 crimper and new heads for the cable to do what you ask.

its not possible to re-use the heads on the end of the cable.


By cutting the cable and reattaching the wires, you're ruining the 'shielding' provided by twisting the cables and letting EMI in - you'd have an unreliable connection at best.

I make ethernet cables on a daily basis. EMI is a joke, unless you are in a workplace that has loads of equipment that produce EMI, in which case you would us STP. In my 10 years of working with cable, never have I once had unreliable cable due to EMI, but again, it depends on where you are. At home? no big deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...t+5+crimp+tool

Unfortunately, these can be a bit expensive, but im willing to bet your local computer store would be more than happy to let you borrow a set.
When you go to wire, to avoid confusion, use this wiring scheme:
O
WO
WG
B
WB
G
WB
B
This is called the "B" Standard. To make a crossover, you would wire the other end using the "A" standard.
Also, this may sound silly, but if it ALMOST fits, you can sand down the RJ-45 edges, it will still fit snugly in its destination host.

Also, I should note that im certified, and have wired several buildings, offices, etc... and still do.

[Mussels]

EMI was the reason we were given, but we had it demonstrated pretty clearly that leaving a straight patch at the end made a 100Mb network card sync at 10Mb, and unreliably at that.

[MoonPig]

Maybe if i worked in a shop... but this is just at home. 3 computers, all wired and im the youngest at 17. The other don't touch anything computer related, so it's not going to get broken.

Atm, i'm dilling the holes bigger. I can always just cover them with some plaster.

[twicksisted]

why not just get a drill and make the hole bigger? that seems the easiest solution and it wouldnt be that big

[MoonPig]

It's just hard making it as big as i need... lol.

I don't have a great selection of masonry bits... i tend to use Wood..

[W1zzard]

borrow a big drill bit .. enlarging the hole will make your life a lot easier

[oily_17]

I would go with buying a bigger masonry bit as opposed to the crimper etc., it will probably work out cheaper and you can use it any time you want to thread a new cable.

EDIT: Something like this -

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/12338/...rill-20x-400mm

The 20mm dia should be more than large enough and the 400mm length will reach through most walls.

[newtekie1]

Cut one end of. Thread it through the wall, then buy a toolless wall jack, and put it ont he cut end on the other side. Then use a short network cable to go between the computer and the end of the other cable. Toolless wall jacks should be extremely cheap, they go for under $5 here in the states, they are sold in most electric supplies stores or radioshacks.

Edit: This is a toolless wall jack.

http://www.optimization-world.com/de....html?_g=G-230


Edit2: The cat5 version is only $2, so it should be to expensive in the UK

http://www.optimization-world.com/de...rodid/228.html