[Tfug] CAT5 Cables, The Sequel

[Robert Hunter]

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On Fri, Jan 18, 2008 at 05:56:17PM -0600, Tim Ottinger wrote:
> I don't want to ever do cabling again without a proper cat5 cable 
> tester.  It's good to check the pinouts quickly, and you can even do it 
> after routing.  Routing is a pain.  If I never need fish tape again, 
> that's fine with me.
> 
> I learned that it was good to put the tiny wires side-by-side as you go, 
> and give them a little down-and-up flex to get them to lay the way you 
> want them to.  I also stripped a bit more than I actually needed, got 
> them to lay flat, then cut the excess.  The little flex trick greatly 
> increased my success/failure ratio.
> 
> I also learned to buy (and keep handy) too many shells, because I end up 
> having to cut off and discard a few here and there.  I don't do this 
> often enough to get a "fight the first time" connection.  If I did it 
> enough, it wouldn't be a problem.


Don, haha!  Your story is so funny, as I have experienced many of the
same things.  I'll second Tim's suggestions about getting a cable
tester, and the technique for smoothing the wires.  I don't personally
own a cable tester, but the Fluke ones run about $100.  If all you
care about is continuity, then the testers are significantly cheaper,
as George pointed out.

- -- 
Rob
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