How to Make a CAT5 Network (Ethernet) Cable

Ethernet cables or LAN cables have a major role in Networking. These cables are commonly used for creating a network between computers or switches. These cables are also known as category 5 or CAT 5 cables in short. Here are the steps below for general CAT 5 cable construction guidelines. Mainly two types of CAT 5 cables are used for Network, 1) Straight and 2) Cross-Over. Creating a network between two Computers, laptops or Switches we need Cross-Over CAT 5 cables and when we need to connect between a Switch and a Computer or laptop we use straight CAT 5 cables.

Here we can see how to create a straight CAT 5 cable as an example.

At first we need to check the length of the cable. Once we are satisfied with the length then we can start to punch both the sides. Now carefully remove the outer jacket of the cable. We should be very careful when stripping the jacket as to not nick or cut the internal wiring. We can use crimping tool for that. This reduces the risk of nicking the wires’ insulation. You will notice 8 colored wires twisted in 4 pairs. Each pair will have one wire of a certain color and another wire that is white with a colored stripe matching its partner (this wire is called a tracer).

Check all the wires carefully for any cuts or scrapes that expose the copper wire inside. If you have cut the jacket of any wire, you will need to cut the entire segment of wires off and start again, otherwise it will lead to poor performance or no connectivity at all. It is very much important that the jacket for all network cables remains intact. Now untwist all the pairs and make them flat and straight as much as possible. Arrange the wires based on the Straight wiring specifications.

Put the wires in the following order, from left to right:

For Straight cable
White Orange, Orange
White Green, Blue
White Blue, Green
White Brown, Brown

And for Cross-Over cable
White Green, Green
White Orange, Blue
White Blue, Orange
White Brown, Brown

Make all the wires straight and parallel between your thumb and forefinger. Check the colors have remained in the correct order. Cut the top of the wires very neatly and carefully. If they are not properly cut it may cause the wire not working or poor connectivity.

Now push the wires carefully into the RJ-45 plug with the flat surface of the plug on top. Check the orders of those wires while pushing. Push all the wires so they touch the top of the RJ-45 plug connector very well. The cabling jacket should also enter the rear of the jack to help secure the cable once the plug is crimped. Verify that the sequence of the wires once again before crimping. Place the wired plug into the crimping tool, press it. You should hear a noise as you continue pressing. Once you have completed the crimp, release the handle and take out the wire.

Repeat all of the above steps in the same order to the other end of the cable. We are creating a Straight cable so here the pair should be in the same order. In case we want to create a Cross-Overcable then follows the Cross-Over paring order.

Now you can test your newly created Straight cable to ensure that it is working fine. Wrongly wired or incomplete network cables could lead to us headaches. For testing your cables easily and quickly you can buy a simple cable tester. It simply tests connectivity pin to pin.