RJ45 Connector

RJ45 connector is one essential part in this information age. Excellent RJ 45 connectors tip for you to identify the quality partner to Ethernet cable.

I can bet that an RJ45 connector is the thing you must be very familiar about. In this information era, the computer and network are those two essential companions you just can’t live without them now. Equally, the smooth operation of computer and network can not be fulfilled if lacking of the help of this small linkage – RJ 45 connectors.

Although you are so familiar with RJ 45 connector, I don’t think you know it very well as it is too humble to deserve your interest to give it a close look. Of course if you don’t need to wire Ethernet cables like cat6 or cat5 cable to RJ45 connectors yourself, it is all right and you can have someone do it for you. But if you would like do it yourself instead of asking help from others, it is a pretty good idea to know as much knowledge as you could about RJ45 connector pinout, RJ45 connector wiring, RJ45 coupler, RJ45 crimper and RJ45 cable tester.

What is RJ-45?

Registered Jack 45 is called RJ-45 for short, which refers to RJ45 modular connector in narrow meaning but the combination of RJ45 plug, RJ45 coupler and RJ45 cable in a broader sense. Now as you know that, an RJ-45 cable connector, or more often being called RJ45 Ethernet connector, is a standard kind of 8P8C plug that is designed for telephony applications in the past and now exclusively for connecting LAN or WAN between different individual computer.

Differences between RJ45 Ethernet connector and telephone connector

In the beginning, RJ45 jack was not exclusively designed for 10Base-T and 100Base-TX Ethernet cable connections just like the fact you already know now, instead it was invented to cater for the booming of telecommunications. And then the older RJ45 cable connectors were 8P2C, namely 8 position 2 contacts or conductor, which is very different from its current Ethernet connector configuration – 8P8C, namely 8 positions 8 contact or conductor.

Ethernet connector and telephone connector has the same look but the former one is bigger. If you would like to do a comparison, the telephone cable connectors like RJ11 connector is a very good example. And the connector pinout is quite different too. A typical RJ45 Ethernet connector normally uses 4 of the 8 wires. Among them, the first pin and second pin are used for emission and the third pin and sixth pin are used for receipt separately. In the case of real telephone RJ 45 connectors, it is a special type of 8P2C, among which just the centre two have conductors. What’s more, the seventh and eighth pins are shorting a programming resistor.

Regular RJ45 connector kit

In your local or online electronics stores, regular RJ 45 connectors can be found very easily. They are usually sold in packs. RJ45 connector price (Each bag of 100 pieces) is from US$5 to US$10. For the optimum data transmission performance, usually this male or female RJ45 connector is plated with gold.

Where and what brands to buy RJ45 Ethernet connectors

There are too many options available out there to make the right decision, which is the usual dilemma you have to face being a customer nowadays. There is no exception when it comes to buying a RJ45 modular connector. However, basically the popular brands are as follows: Belkin, Panduit, Tyco Electronics, Cables To Go and Molex. As for where to buy, the trustworthy list is as follows: RadioShack, Tiger Direct, CDW, Amazon and Home Depot. Actually as long as you buy it from any of the above-mentioned brands and stores, in most cases the RJ 45 connector will work for you just fine.

One more thing, RJ45 wiring diagram based on TIA/EIA-569-B is an important part if you want a successful installation. If you have no one at hand, you can do a search and some sites offer RJ45 connector wiring diagram download for free.