is it ok to use cat 6 plugs for cat 5 cable

[mquinn0908]

I have run accross a couple of cat5 cables that were run a while ago but have no ends on them. Right now I only have cat6 modular plugs to terminate the cable and I was wondering if the cat6 plugs will work on the cat5 cable? Right now it is not possible to run new cable but I can get new plugs if necessary. Thanks.

 

[skip555]

if by plugs you are refering to a crimp connector then my advice would be not to crimp cat 6 or cat 5 plugs on the cable end but to terminate properly to a jack.

as to using a cat 6 jack on a cat 5 cable I wouldnt unless I really had no choice for maximum preformance use the jack that was enginerred for the cable

 

[mquinn0908]

if I have no choice but to put ends on the cable and not use a jack will the cat6 ends work on the cat5 cable? I agree about using what was enginerred for the cable but since this is what I have right now I just needed to know if it would work or not. Thank you.

 

[wires]

My concern is that cat6 is 23awg and cat5 is 24awg. It is possible that the connector would not make good contact with the slightly larger conductor.

I would go ahead and try it and see if it works. This is one place where a certification tester is nice... You might want to wiggle the connector around before and after testing and see if anything changes.

 

[skip555]

somtimes you got to do what you got to do

why not just go ahead and crimp them on and see what happens

worst case you have problems and have to go back in with cat 5 plugs and lose a couple of inchs of cable

 

[Servamatic]

I would get the right plugs since you stated that was possible in your first post.
There is a difference in AWG on most Cat 6 products, Cat 6 is typically 23.5 AWG whereas Cat 5 & 5E is 24 AWG.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.smartbuilthomes.com

 

[mquinn0908]

Yeah I tried the cat 6 ends on the cat 5 cable and it didn't work. I will be going ahead and purchasing the cat 5 ends and get this done the way it should be. Thanks.

 

[Bobg1]

Back to skip555's first post.
I would agree with it. If this is solid conductor cable, (which it sounds like) it needs to be terminated to a jack, not have a plug crimped on.

 

[Jtodd]

Sort of putting Bobg1 and Richard's posts, the proper thing to do would be put a jack, BUT if it's neccesary to put a plug not only do you need to make sure it matches the rating of the cable, but that it is a solid cable plug. Some manufactures have one plug for solid or stranded, but AMP for one I know has separate solid and stranded plugs. I think Ideals are as well, but don't quote me on that one.

Justin T. Clausen
Physical Layer Implementation
California State University, Monterey Bay