how to repair a RJ45 cable? (lemmy.world)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by kapx132@lemmy.world to c/selfhosted@lemmy.world

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My RJ45 standard a cable broke. I tried fixing it in but i cant align the clolored wires properly , because they all turn and twist when i try to put them into the clear plastic thing.

do you have any advice of how to do this?

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[-] carl_dungeon@lemmy.world 58 points 10 months ago

You cant re-use an old connector, you’ll have to crimp on a new one. It may or may not be worth buying the tool/ends depending on the length of the cable.

You can buy a cable crimper and a bag of the ends on Amazon, prob for $20-$40, but if it’s just one small patch cable you’re trying to fix, you can probably buy that for $5.

I ran Ethernet through my whole house and outside for cameras, so it was worth it to me to buy the tools and spools of cable.

[-] kapx132@lemmy.world 11 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I have the tools and a fresh connector but my problem is that i cant align the wires proprerly, they end up in the wrong slots.

[-] Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 41 points 10 months ago

Honestly, it's just practice really.

Hit up some YouTube videos, watching someone else do it will probably help more than hearing it described.

[-] TheButtonJustSpins@infosec.pub 22 points 10 months ago

Straighten the wires by pulling them against a pencil or pen.

Line them up in the correct order and hold them close between thumb and forefinger.

Cut the ends to be the same length.

Then attach the connector carefully. Pushing the cables against the top or bottom a bit as you insert them should help keep them straight.

[-] Siegfried@lemmy.world 14 points 10 months ago

It's a skill you develop with time.... I guess, cause I haven't developed it yet.

Things that usually help me with this: Straighten the wires while putting them in order

If cables are too stiff, you can always either cut their tips or use a plier

Pressing with a finger can help you hold the wires in order

While ordering them, you can try the wires on the rj45. It has little guides that help you straighten the wires.

[-] med@sh.itjust.works 8 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Lining up the wires, ensuring they’re straight and making sure they’re trimmed to the same length will help avoid crossover too.

You can help straighten them on the square edge of a table, just press them between your finger and the table at the part that’s stripped from the insulation, then pull them over the edge applying pressure the whole time.

You can also look for the newer cat 6 connectors. Lots of brands have an insert that you can slot the wires in to before putting them in the housing, which helps a lot.

Example here: https://www.amazon.com/W-NECTOUN-100-PACK-Connectors-Ethernet-Connector/dp/B0B1DHQCP7/

[-] glimse@lemmy.world 6 points 10 months ago

If it's a premade patch cable....good fuckin luck. It's possible but they're usually too thin and flexible to recrimp without a bunch of attempts. Bulk wire is a lot stiffer and maintains its shape.

Are you using pass through (EZ) connectors? That makes it a ton easier.

[-] klangcola@reddthat.com 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Like others said it's mostly just practice.

What helps is to align the (short) ends and hold them flat between your index finger and thumb. Use your free hand to get them in order. Once they're in order, keep holding them still between your index finger and thumb using one hand, then use your free hand to slot on the connector

Edit: also bending them back and forth a bit will soften them up and reduce them curling in all sorts of directions. It also weakens them, so don't overdo it (mostly only works for solid cable, the type meant for permanent installations like inside walls)

[-] PoopMonster@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

Make sure you're straighting them out before hand with the tip of a screwdriver makes it easier. Also look for rj45 connectors with a load bar, makes it a lot easier since you can feed them one at a time and make sure they are aligned properly, often they also come with pass through connectors and you should be able to do that in no time.

[-] Case@lemmynsfw.com 1 points 10 months ago

Personally I prefer simple connectors, but I've been making cables for 20+ years.

I understand OPs frustration though.

Then again, I'm the type to put in my own drops at home, and include a service loop so I can repunch/crimp whatever I need to without yanking the cable from upstairs to down lol.

[-] billwashere@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

My trick is to wiggle them back and forth a few times between your thumb and index finger while pulling on them just a bit. This warms them a bit from your hand and the bending. And the push through connectors are a godsend since you can strip them a little long.

[-] tun@lemm.ee 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

There are more expensive but easier RJ45 head (like 3 pieces design). Some design requires tailored made crimper and such crimpers are more expensive.

Edit: for example https://www.amazon.com/3-Piece-Shielded-Connector-Modular-Network/dp/B071GXNGD3

[-] kapx132@lemmy.world 13 points 10 months ago

I have managed to fix it, thanks for the tips!

[-] sir_pronoun@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago

Weeping helps.

[-] keisatsu@infosec.pub 7 points 10 months ago

I had issues until I got connectors that come with a little sleeve that you thread the wires through before putting them into the part you clamp them in. Get those if you if you haven't already. Also get a cable tester, they are pretty cheap

[-] IlIllIIIllIlIlIIlI@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Or get pass throw rj45 connectors and crim tool for them.

[-] GroteStreet@aussie.zone 6 points 10 months ago

The way I normally do it is the following. Strip the sleeve further back than you need (say, an inch). Untwist the 8 cores and separate them.

Arrange them in the right order (the extra length makes this easy) Flatten, pack them together, and pinch with your thumb and forefinger near the base.

Without letting go of the pinch, use your free hand to cut them to the correct length. Now that you have them flat between your fingers in the right order, it should be pretty straightforward to slide them into the connector.

[-] krellor@kbin.social 3 points 10 months ago

One thing I'll add is I often found it helpful to glide them in which helps straighten the wires, then pull them out and trim the ends to be even. Then put back in connector, and make sure all pins touch all wire ends.

[-] dogma11@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

Make your stranded end nice and long and easy to "comb" and flatten out. Get all your pairs lined up and in order and flatten the wires together on a table or other work surface.

I usually cut about 3 or so inches of sleeve off the cable to expose the strands. But same thing applies if you can only cut an inch off, just a little more difficult.

Assuming you have passthrough rj45 ends or whatever they're called, you can just slip on your end and crimp and let the tool trim the excess wire.

If you don't you get to go through the process of trimming down and getting the tiny stubs to stay together enough to slide into the connector.

Example from eBay listing

[-] DaGeek247@kbin.social 3 points 10 months ago

There are also connectors that let the cable through the holes in the end, completely removing the need to try and get the strip length exactly right. It's worth looking into if you have to do this more than a once or twice. As a quick example; https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-80024-Racheting-Installation/dp/B09FWH5RFF/

[-] kapx132@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

I have managed to fix it, thanks for the tips!

[-] happy_saw@lemmy.world -1 points 10 months ago

Solder it mate.

[-] lnxtx@feddit.nl -2 points 10 months ago

Does it have solid copper cores? If not, I will discard that cable and use new/another one.

this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2023

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