Crossover Cable

A crossover cable is used to link two pc’s together without a hub (note. if
using a hub, use patch cabling). It is generally easier and cheaper just to buy
a pre-made Crossover cable, but if you have to run cable under houses, or you
need to run cable a bit further than normal(10m+) you may want to make up your
own cable.

To make a crossover cable you will need 3 things, Cat5 cable, 2 RJ45
connectors, and a crimping tool. All 3 of which you can get easily at any
electrical store (e.g. Dick Smiths). Cat5 cable normally cost between $1.00(aud)
and $2.50(aud) per metre. RJ45 connector are normally about $5.00(aud) for a
pack of 10. A good crimping tool with a wire cutter may set you back a bit more
but you can generally find a good one for under $25.00(aud).

Now how you lay your cable out is up to you I’ am not going instruct you on how to use wall
mounts etc.. that’s your choice but one bit of advise, don’t tie your cable
around something or in knots, data cable is fairly tough and reliable but don’t
push it. Also if you have way to much cable generally it is a better idea to
shorten rather than to just leave it in a pile, as this can cause
electro-magnetic interference on the cable itself, and therefore cause you
problems.

Also just another tip, don’t cut your cable exactly to size always
leave some slack in the cable, the main reason for this is that it is allot
easier to cut off extra cable if you don’t need it, but try and add some cable
if you run a little bit short.

After you lay you cable out where is going to go,
you then have to attach the RJ45 connectors on each end, follow each step as
below.

1 Skin off the cable jacket approximately
1″ or slightly more.
2 Un-twist
each pair, and straighten each wire between the fingers.
3 Place the
wires in the order of the diagram shown below. Bring all of the wires together,
until they touch.
4 At this point,
recheck the wiring sequence with the diagram.
5 Optional:
Make a mark on the wires at 1/2″ from the end of the cable jacket.
6 Hold the grouped (and sorted) wires
together tightly, between the thumb, and the forefinger.
7 Cut all of the wires at a perfect 90 degree angle from the
cable at 1/2″ from the end of the cable jacket. This is a very critical
step. If the wires are not cut straight, they may not all make contact.
(scissors are generally good for this)
8 Insert the wires into the connector
(pins facing up).
9 Push moderately hard to assure
that all of the wires have reached the end of the connector. Be sure that the cable
jacket goes into the back of the connector by about 3/16″.
10 Place the connector into a crimp
tool, and squeeze hard so that the handle reaches it’s full swing.
The first diagram below show the how you should set out the wiring on each RJ45
connector to make a standard ‘Crossover Cable(T568-b)’. The second diagram shows
where the pin# are on the connector itself.

Pin # End 1 End 2
1 Brown Brown
2 White Brown White Brown
3 Green Orange
4 White Blue White Blue
5 Blue Blue
6 White Green White Orange
7 Orange Green
8 White Orange White Green

Fig 1 – RJ45 connector displaying pin#

That’s pretty much it really, there isn’t much to it. If you haven’t done any
sort of wiring before (phone plugs etc..) it may take you a few attempts the first
time, but if you take your time and don’t rush it, you normally won’t have any problems.

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