Solid Vs. Stranded RJ45 Modular Crimp Connectors
So you have a piece of network cable and it is time to put a modular connector on the end. Do you know which type of modular crimp connectors you need? Do you know what a modular crimp connector is? It is a RJ45 connector that is mostly seen terminated at the end of a network cable to use in connecting that cable to a network or other network devices. You see this type of connector at the end of every network patch cable or network cable.
These connector types are relatively inexpensive but they do play a vital role in connecting network equipment together. A modular connector typically has a clear, plastic body, with a tab that locks the plug and jack into place when connected. When you start doing your research you will notice a few options when it comes to choosing these connector types. You will notice that there are numerous types to support the connection of different cable types. But the two main options when it comes to modular crimp plugs are stranded and solid types.
Solid Cable?
Solid refers to a cable that is made up of solid metal conductors. Usually the metal of choice is copper. Because these conductors are made up of solid copper pieces you will notice that this cable type is less flexible and more difficult to bend and dress into a network rack. Usually solid cable is used for copper backbone or longer cable runs through the wall or in conduit. It is the perfect cable for applications where cable flexibility is not important.
Stranded Cable?
Stranded cable is a cable type where the conductors are made of several small strands of copper. These small strands are bundled together to create a particular gauge of conductor. Because this cable is essentially made of numerous small strands it is much more flexible and easier to work with than the solid cable. Because of this most patch cables are cable runs that call for short cables that are dressed in a rack are made with stranded cable.
Choosing the right RJ45 connector:
Before you choose any crimp connector you need to understand which cable type you are using. Then you need to match that cable type with the modular connector type. Modular connectors are designed to be cable specific so if they don't match it will either not work or the end result will be poor performance. The reason they are not universal is because each modular connector is made to fit a special gauge of cable along with having built in contacts that are made to connect to a particular cable format.
In the end save yourself time and money and carefully match the cable type to the modular connector types you use. There is no reason to allow such a small and inexpensive piece of the puzzle negatively affect your networks performance. Your end-users will thank you for it!
These connector types are relatively inexpensive but they do play a vital role in connecting network equipment together. A modular connector typically has a clear, plastic body, with a tab that locks the plug and jack into place when connected. When you start doing your research you will notice a few options when it comes to choosing these connector types. You will notice that there are numerous types to support the connection of different cable types. But the two main options when it comes to modular crimp plugs are stranded and solid types.
Solid Cable?
Solid refers to a cable that is made up of solid metal conductors. Usually the metal of choice is copper. Because these conductors are made up of solid copper pieces you will notice that this cable type is less flexible and more difficult to bend and dress into a network rack. Usually solid cable is used for copper backbone or longer cable runs through the wall or in conduit. It is the perfect cable for applications where cable flexibility is not important.
Stranded Cable?
Stranded cable is a cable type where the conductors are made of several small strands of copper. These small strands are bundled together to create a particular gauge of conductor. Because this cable is essentially made of numerous small strands it is much more flexible and easier to work with than the solid cable. Because of this most patch cables are cable runs that call for short cables that are dressed in a rack are made with stranded cable.
Choosing the right RJ45 connector:
Before you choose any crimp connector you need to understand which cable type you are using. Then you need to match that cable type with the modular connector type. Modular connectors are designed to be cable specific so if they don't match it will either not work or the end result will be poor performance. The reason they are not universal is because each modular connector is made to fit a special gauge of cable along with having built in contacts that are made to connect to a particular cable format.
In the end save yourself time and money and carefully match the cable type to the modular connector types you use. There is no reason to allow such a small and inexpensive piece of the puzzle negatively affect your networks performance. Your end-users will thank you for it!
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