Cat-5 cable is the most common type of cord used for wiring computers in a network.While Cat-5 cables are readily available in various lengths, cutting and crimping your own is a far more cost-effective method for wiring large networks.A few items are needed to learn how to cut and crimp Cat-5 cable.
Step 1: Determine the amount of cable you will need.
If you only need a few lengths of cord to wire a home network, consider buying cables in finished lengths from a computer supply store.Make a rough estimate of the total length of cable you need.
Step 2: Purchase what you need to build the cables.
You will need to buy a length of Cat-5 cable and a wire crimping tool.Small computer supply stores are more likely to carry Cat-5 cable than larger chain stores.The plastic ends of the cables can be purchased from computer supply stores.Buy more than the number of cables you want to make.Look for a model that includes a wire snipping tool when buying a Cat-5 crimping tool.If you want to be conservative, you should buy more cable and heads than you think you need.
Step 3: The cable must be cut to length.
Determine the length of your cable and use the wire cutting tool on the crimping tool to cut it.
Step 4: Prepare the ends of the cable.
The outer coating on each end of the cable should be removed using the wire cutting tool.There are 8 wires twisted into 4 pairs.Untwisting each pair will separate the 8 wires.The wires should be in the proper order.Put the wires in order from left to right.
Step 5: The Cat-5 cable needs to be put into the heads.
Step 6: Determine the orientation of the wires.
See the pic.
Step 7: The wires should be lined up neatly so that they fit into the plastic head.
Push the wires into the plastic head as far as they can go.The wires should line up with the metal contacts in the head.
Step 8: The cable has a head on it.
Carefully place the plastic head into the slot for the crimping tool.Put pressure on the crimper's handles to get the head onto the wires.The metal contacts should be touching the wires.On the other end of the cable, repeat this process.
Step 9: If you want to test your cable, do it.
Attach the ends of the cable to the tool to check for a signal.The cable is ready to be used.