The T568A wiring standard is still commonly encountered in older homes, government buildings, and existing network installations. Terminating an Ethernet cable using T568A is straightforward when you follow the correct color order and carefully prepare the conductors. This guide walks through the complete seven-step process, from stripping the cable jacket to testing the finished Ethernet cable.
Creating a reliable Ethernet cable starts with careful preparation. The individual conductors are small, and their arrangement inside the RJ45 connector determines whether the finished cable will work correctly. Before crimping the connector, take the time to straighten, organize, trim, and inspect all eight conductors.
You can begin by adding an optional strain relief boot to the cable. The boot helps protect the RJ45 connector and provides additional support near the plug, although it is not required.
Next, score and remove approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches of the outer cable jacket. You can use the stripping section of an RJ45 crimping tool or dedicated wire strippers.
Ethernet cable contains four twisted pairs, creating eight individual conductors. Untwist each pair and straighten the wires as much as possible.
Straight conductors make it considerably easier to arrange the wires in the correct T568A sequence and insert them into the individual channels inside the RJ45 plug.
Arrange the eight conductors according to the T568A wiring standard. When viewing the conductors from left to right, use this sequence:
| Pin | T568A Wire Color |
|---|---|
| 1 | White/Green |
| 2 | Green |
| 3 | White/Orange |
| 4 | Blue |
| 5 | White/Blue |
| 6 | Orange |
| 7 | White/Brown |
| 8 | Brown |
Double-check the sequence before continuing. It is much easier to correct the wire order now than after the RJ45 plug has been crimped.
Once the colors are arranged correctly, flatten the conductors and press them tightly together. Using the edge of a table can make it easier to keep all eight wires straight and aligned.
After the conductors are straight and flat, make one clean cut across all eight wires using sharp scissors or an appropriate cable-cutting tool.
The remaining conductor length should be approximately 3/4 inch or slightly less. This allows the outer cable jacket to extend far enough into the RJ45 plug to provide strain relief.
Do not trim the wires excessively short. Each conductor must extend far enough into the plug to reach the contacts at the end of the connector.
Carefully slide all eight conductors into the RJ45 connector. Each conductor should enter its own channel and remain in the correct T568A sequence.
Before crimping, visually inspect the connector again. Look through the plug and confirm that the conductors remain correctly arranged and have reached the end of the connector.
Insert the RJ45 plug completely into a compatible crimping tool. The video demonstrates a Commercial Electric RJ45 crimper designed for standard Cat 5e and Cat 6 connectors.
Push the connector into the crimper as far as it will go. Squeeze the crimper firmly until the plug is crimped. One complete crimp should be sufficient.
The crimping process pushes the contacts in the RJ45 connector into the individual conductors while also securing the cable inside the connector.
Testing is the final step. A cable tester helps verify that the conductors have been terminated properly before you begin using the cable on your network.
The video discusses two types of cable testers:
You do not necessarily need a professional-grade tester for a basic cable termination. The important step is confirming that the completed cable passes a cable test before placing it into service.
Before considering the project complete, review these key points:
Terminating an RJ45 Ethernet cable with the T568A wiring standard becomes much easier when you work methodically. The most important parts of the process are maintaining the correct wire order, avoiding damage to the conductors, making a clean and even cut, inserting the wires completely into the connector, and testing your work afterward.
Once the finished cable passes your cable tester, it is ready to be used as part of your home or business network.
The T568A wiring standard shows up in a lot of older homes and government buildings. In today's video, I'm going to show you how to terminate a cable using the T568A standard in under four minutes. Let's get started.
You can add a strain relief boot if you want. These boot covers help protect the fragile RJ45 connector, but they are not mandatory.
Next, score and strip approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches of the jacket. You can use the RJ45 crimping tool to strip the wires or use dedicated wire strippers.
Whichever method you choose, the most important thing is not to nick the conductors. Always check the wires closely before going any further by pulling down the drawstring. If any of the wires have been nicked, you will need to strip the cable again.
Untwist all eight wires. This easy technique makes it possible to untwist all eight wires quickly.
You also want to straighten the wires as much as possible.
Now we need to arrange the wires in the T568A configuration. Starting from left to right, the order is:
Flatten all the wires and push them closely together. I have found that using the edge of a table makes this process much easier.
After all eight wires are straight and flat, make a clean cut across all eight wires. Make sure you use very sharp scissors. The scissors I am using are from Milwaukee Tools, and I will have links in the video description below.
When cutting the wires, the remaining length should be around 3/4 inch or slightly less. This will allow the outer cable jacket to extend farther into the connector.
However, if the wires are too short, they will not make contact with the pins at the end of the connector.
Insert the wires into the plug. Make sure each conductor goes completely into its channel and that none of the wires become kinked or move into a different position.
The cable jacket should also slide far enough into the plug to provide strain relief.
Now it is time to crimp the plug. The RJ45 crimper I am using is from a company called Commercial Electric. This crimper is designed for standard Cat 5e and Cat 6 plugs. I think this crimper is outstanding, and I will have links in the description below.
Insert the plug into the crimper as far as it will go. Then squeeze down on the crimper until you hear a snap. One crimp is all you need.
The last step is to test the cable. Any suitable cable tester will work.
I have two cable testers. One is a professional tester, and the other is a more budget-friendly tester.
The professional tester is from a company called NetAlly. This is the LinkRunner AT 3000. This tester is designed for IT and networking professionals and includes a large number of features, including cable testing. If you are interested in this tester, I will have links in the description below.
My second tester is a budget tester from Klein Tools. This is the VDV Scout Pro 2, and it is a fantastic, reliable budget tester.
However, Klein Tools has discontinued this model. The newer model is the VDV Scout Pro 3. This model is a little more expensive, but it also has more features. If you are interested in the Scout Pro 3, links will be in the description below.
If your new cable passes the test, it can now be used in your home or business network.
All right, guys and gals, make sure to watch the next video. You're going to love it. Also, make sure to like, share, subscribe, and comment.
I'm Michael Scott. Thanks for watching, and happy networking.
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