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Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable
RJ45
The RJ45 connector is a modular, plastic connector that is often used in UTP cable
installations. The RJ45 is a keyed connector, designed to be plugged into an RJ45
port only in the correct alignment. The connector is a plastic housing that is
crimped onto a length of UTP cable using a custom RJ45 die tool. The connector
housing is often transparent, and consists of a main body, the pins, the raised key,
and a locking clip.
The locking clip, part of the raised key assembly, secures the connector in place
after a connection is made. When the RJ45 connector is inserted into a port, the
locking clip is pressed down and snaps up into place. A thin arm, attached to the
locking clip, allows the clip to be lowered to release the connector from the port.
For a complete discussion of connecting and disconnecting RJ45 connectors, refer
to Chapter 14, Connecting and Terminating.
RJ45 connectors for UTP cabling are available in two basic configurations;
stranded and solid. These names refer to the type of UTP cabling that they are
designed to connect to. The blades of the RJ45 connector end in a series of points
that pierce the jacket of the wires and make the connection to the core. Different
types of connections are required for each type of core composition.
A UTP cable that uses stranded core wires will allow the contact points to nest
among the individual strands. The contact blades in a stranded RJ45 connector,
therefore, are laid out with their contact points in a straight line. The contact
points cut through the insulating material of the jacket and make contact with
several strands of the core.
Solid Core
The solid UTP connector arranges the contact points of the blades in a staggered
fashion. The purpose of this arrangement is to pierce the insulator on either side
of the core wire and make contacts on either side. As the contact points cannot
burrow into the solid core, they clamp the wire in the middle of the blade,
providing three opportunities for a viable connection.
Connector Types
Staggered Teeth
Clamp Core Wire
Insulator
Figure 9-8. Solid and Stranded Contact Blades
Inline Teeth Nest
in Core Strands
Stranded Core
Insulator
Token Ring Media
1845n15
9-15
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