PCA Forums

just had to chase down one bad RJ-45 cable in a pile of cables sent like 2 hours figuring it out that the cable was my grief .

Cable testers are wonderful. But I know how you feel.

Manufactured cable, or homemade connectors? I refuse to crimp my own connectors anymore because even if you know what you're doing it's impossible to consistently crimp them right. I've had self-crimped cables become intermittent over time.

I only use manufactured cables. For long runs (like between rooms) I terminate the ends of the cable in RJ45 punch down jacks and then use a jumper. Much more reliable.

I do the same thing on my long runs. Use a manufactured cable & cut one end off to punch it into a jack. Though I will say that I have had good luck with my own cables.... so long as I did them right to start with.

Yeah I did the same in my house with punch jacks. I had a friend at work, who works in Telcom, and they have the tools and know how to crimp the cables. I traded work - I fixed his PC and he helped me wire my house with RJ45.

I've only ever had an issue with manufactured cables, ones I crimped myself have always been fine. Part of the issue with manufactured ones, is the thought they were made correctly. You really have no idea how those cables were originally made.

Though it is much more convenient when you don't have to expend the time for it, and a customer is paying for it anyways.

I will say that I test all of my cables with a tester. Manufactured or not.