Reddit reviews iMBAPrice - RJ45 Network Cable Tester for Lan Phone RJ45/RJ11/RJ12/CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 UTP Wire Test Tool

A few different companies make "EZ" RJ45 ends that are to be used with a crimper that has a blade that cuts off the excess. However, just like in the OPs picture, the first and last conductor rarely cut cleanly and it ends up being more trouble than it is worth.

Also, rule of thumb is B config for data, A config for phone. When in doubt, use B.

OW/O+GW/BL+BLW/G+BRW/BR

Cheap RJ45 cable tester

Bulk Premade CAT5E Cables

You need to get yourself a basic tester so you can figure out where you're going wrong.

If you have an ethernet tester, I'd check it on both ends. I'd bet that there's a connection in one of your wires somewhere.

To questions 1 + 2:Nothing fancy. In cases where the category cable ends are already terminated with RJ45 connectors, something like this will work just fine, and where it's not already terminated, you can add your own connector and use the above coupler, or something like this. (Note: I haven't used these specific models, but they're all effectively the same thing)

The ISP's comment about running new cable and the quality not being good is a CYA move. The wire already in the wall might be damaged, in which case you'll know pretty quickly. An extra coupler will have negligible effect on normal home internet use.

If you're really worried, you can throw switches in instead of couplers, but they don't change the situation other than give you more ports at each junction.

#3: not a problem. Because it's behind the router (embedded in the modem), everything connected downstream (in your house) gets it's own local address, can talk within your network and out to the internet just fine. If the modem isn't also a router, then you'd have problems, but you'd already know.

#4: they make much fancier ones, but this gets decent enough reviews from what I can tell (again, haven't used this specific one). Plug it in on both ends, you'll know in seconds if the cable is good or not. If yes, you're in business and a coupler is all you need. If no, that's where the fancier ones come in and can tell you where along the wire the damage is and you could potentially splice and repair.

#5: leave as much slack as you can so you have cable left if you screw up or want to make changes later. Otherwise, don't worry, it's low voltage wire, only way to hurt yourself is to stab yourself with the copper wire ends.

Read this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIA/EIA-568 (TLDR is doesn't matter which wiring standard you use, as long as you use the same one on both ends of any given segment. You can actually mix and match the cables to make a single run, as long as each segment matches. The only "issue" this causes is mass confusion)

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Then buy a continuity checker like this: https://www.amazon.com/iMBAPrice-Network-Cable-Tester-Phone/dp/B01M63EMBQ/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=ethernet+tester&qid=1556113738&s=gateway&sr=8-5

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Then test all your runs. If won't tell you if the any of the pairs are error prone, but it will at least let you know if they are connected correctly to pass a signal.


Also, check out what that coupler is doing and make sure it is straight through and not a cross-over or roll-over coupler.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M63EMBQ/

I purchased a commercial property and they didnt label any of the rj45's so I bought this to go around and detect what was what. Flawless!

Might as well add a cable tester to your kit. You're going to screw it up a couple of times before you get the hang of it, so be sure to cut the cables a good bit longer than you actually need.

iMBAPrice - RJ45 Network Cable Tester for Lan Phone RJ45/RJ11/RJ12/CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 UTP Wire Test Tool with Carry Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M63EMBQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0.lnzbG01SD0F

The premade plate that I linked is actually a punch down style, the same thing /u/Rick91981 recommended above. That's not actually what I intended, though it will certainly work. The punch down is the better long term solution, but personally I think using crimp on RJ45 connectors is just fine for casual residential use. As you said, it's only a small basement.

I ran about 2000 feet of Cat 6 throughout my house during a reno. Just off the top of my head I'd estimate there were a good 40 individual lines. I wanted to verify that the lines were good before we sealed the walls, so I put the RJ45 connectors on every line, turning it into a cable and allowing me to use a tester to verify it was wired correctly (the first couple I did had a pretty terrible success rate, but it quickly gets better). Fast forward to after the walls are done and it's time for me to terminate the connectors. I could cut the connector off and use a punch down style plate like I linked, but instead I just got these, which is just a coupler; I plug my finished connector into the inside which sits in the wall, and on the outside I have a wall plate with an ethernet port. Worked great. Some say it won't be as durable, and if they fall apart in the next year I'll agree, but I really don't see that happening.

You're only doing a couple connections, so it's really up to you. A punchdown tool is actually cheaper than a decent crimper and stripper set (and a cheap crimper/stripper makes the process miserable), so I suppose it's the better option. Whichever way you go, terminate all ends into a wall plate. Then just use patch cables (little 1-3 foot cables you can buy premade) to run from the wall plate to your router/tv/computer etc.

there are cheaper alternatives. Not as fancy but they do work

This tester is cheap and will help determine if any ethernet cables have a broken or defective wire causing the issue.

But as I said in my earlier reply, unless you have a switch with lots of ethernet going around to test, I would just grab some ethernet cables and test replacing existing wires.

Three lengths of Cat5e that are joined with RJ45 couplers. The cable was then tested to ensure that it is not miswired.

It's no different than if I ran a single length of Cat5e from one wall plate to another and then used another length of cable to plug into the router and satellite.

Use of these to find out where each port goes

iMBAPrice - RJ45 Network Cable Tester for Lan Phone RJ45/RJ11/RJ12/CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 UTP Wire Test Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M63EMBQ/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_TgO4DbFEJHTV6