Problems making my own patch cables.... 2

[udpstorm]

I am experiencing some problems creating my own cables. I crimp both ends and connect PC to LinkSys cable router and I get a link light but no action. No DHCP nor will a static address work. I have tried various lengths of cable, different crimpers and crimp brands and no luck. I used a meter to confirm continuity through the cable. I can't seem to find out what the problem is.

I need to run lengths of 120 to 300 feet. My understanding is that I should be able to run up to 331 feet?

 

[rsmadhava]

If you get link light BOTH on your NIC and router, it means your patch cable is OK. You may have to debug at IP level.

 

[jimbopalmer]

Just a note that the distance of 100 meters assumes 90 meters of solid wire with 5 meters of stranded patch cable at each end. It does not claim you can run 100 meters of stranded patch cable

I am not sure the cable is OK, you can get link even with split pairs (data MUST bet on a pair 1 and 2 and a pair pin 3 and 6)

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[skip555]

I would put the crimper tool away

run solid cable and terminate with jacks on each end and use pre made patch cords from the jacks to pc jack to switch.

 

[daronwilson]

I don't agree that a link light on both ends means your patch cable is ok. It means there is continuity, but you can get that with a flat satin cord. Failure to use the proper wiring scheme for termination will also get you link lights, but likely slow or no data at extended distances.

If you are without test equipment, I would first buy a ready made patch cable and connect the equipment. Make sure you can get it to work with a standard patch cable. Then you can make your own cables and use the actual equipment (which you now know works) to test the cables.

Good Luck!

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[DToolsDesigner]

Let me start by saying I agree with the other posta on this topic, a link light only means you have a connection, it by NO means indicates a good connection for data transfer.

I would think this would be a good time to reconsider the practice of rolling your own as it were.

You really shouldn't be regularly making crimp connections in the field. The standards use to forbid this practice.

Are you making patch cords, or trying to save a few dollars by not using patch panels to terminate?

Crimping plugs on solid conductors is not a good idea, since it usually means the cables will be subject to frequent or periodic movement. Solid conductors are meant to be in the permanently installed portion, therefore not subject to movement.

Crimping a solid conductor can lead to early failure.
It only takes a couple service calls to wipe out any savings you may have realized from this practice.

Not to mention how it looks to a client when you start having failures.


Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[DTSMAN]

Do what Skip555 said!!! Also note that there are different types of ends for stranded and solid wire. The one made for stranded will defenitley cause issues if put on solid wire.

 

[udpstorm]

Thank you all for the insightful responses. I need to clarify and state that molded cables work fine. I am trying to reach other areas of my house that are upwards of a 100 to 200 feet.
I noticed my modular plugs are for Round stranded wire....I have solid wire.
I will pick up some plugs rated for solid and reply with the results this evening.
thank you to all,

 

[udpstorm]

I purchased the solid core modular connectors and I have the same problem.
My goal is to wire rooms that are about 150 feet away.

If I make my cable approximately 40 feet or less, I am ok. ANything longer than that and the cable won't work.

Any ideas?

 

[TelNetSystems]

Wait a minute... I don't see where anyone has asked what kind of cable you are using. If cables shorter than 40 feet work but longer ones do not, it sounds like you might be using something other than Category 5 or 5e 4-Pair 24-AWG Solid cable. A few other kinds of cable may work if you are only running at 10Mhz, but I would strongly recommend against using anything else. You should also be using RJ45 8 Position 8 Conductor plugs or jacks (preferred)at both ends.

 

[udpstorm]

Good catch TelNetSystems... I am using Beldin CAT 5e 24 AWG cable. But I still can not make a cable run work longer than about 40 feet.
I am going to pickup a couple of surface mount jacks and see if I can make it work that way....

 

[bobsou]

you may be barking up the wrong tree, if everything works up to 40 ft. you may have a bad switch or hub

 

[Mongo5150]

affirmative

 

[Hitechbuzz]

Do What Skip555 said run solid cable rated 5E terminate with 568A/B jacks rated 5E then patch at either end .
Save grief
Cheers

 

[jimbopalmer]

If distance makes it worse, I suspect he is not using real pairs, if you do not wire using pairs, the 'twisted pair' part is not happening

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[DToolsDesigner]

Exactly what order did you terminate the wires in the plugs? What colors where?

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[udpstorm]

I terminated orgwhite/org, bluewhite/blue, greenwhite/green and brownwhite/brown.

As I unravel the other end of the cable I do lose quite a bit of the twist as I terminate into the modular jack. I am going to try terminating as recommended above, into a 568A/B jack.
I'll let you know what develomA0D

 

[udpstorm]

I am using a 568A/B jack and it works fine.
I checked my colors at

http://www.jaysafe.co.uk/technical/rj45.asp

thank you to all. I unintentionally removed too many twists as I made my cable I think that is the difference here.
All of your comments are appreciated.

 

[TelNetSystems]

>> As I unravel the other end of the cable I do lose quite a bit of the twist as I terminate into the modular jack.

The twists should not be untwisted more than 1/2 INCH MAXIMUM when your connection is complete. Any more than that will degrade its performance significantly.

Glad to see you found the source of your problem.

 

[TouchToneTommy]

"I terminated orgwhite/org, bluewhite/blue, greenwhite/green and brownwhite/brown."

Um, if this is the order that you have them into the plug, you're not using pairs. Pins 1&2, 3&6, 4&5, 7&8 need to be paired up, and you indicate you're using 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, 7&8.

You should be using White/Orange, Orange/White, White/Green, Blue/White, White/Blue, Green/White, White/Brown, Brown/White.