In many families, several devices are connected to the Internet: we cannot imagine life without the World Wide Web, therefore everyone needs their own line. They work mainly on a wireless protocol – Wi-Fi, but there is still a wire, since so far the wired Internet is more stable than wireless. During repairs, all the wires are hidden in the walls and the “Internet” ones are no exception. They, like electric ones, are plugged into sockets, only of a different standard: they are called computer or information. They can be with different connectors, but the most common is RJ 45. Installation and connection can be done independently, but since the connector looks unusual, there are more than two or three wires in it, and the connection is not provided by soldering or twisting, you need to know how to connect an internet outlet as well as the connector that should be inserted into it.
RJ-45 connector crimp
An Internet cable that enters an apartment or house, which is most often called a twisted pair cable, often ends in a small plastic connector. This plastic device is the connector, and usually RJ45. In professional jargon, they are also called “Jack”.
Its case is transparent, due to which the wires of different colors are visible. The same devices are used on connecting wires that connect computers to each other or to a modem. Only the order of location (or, as computer scientists say, pinouts) of wires can differ. The same connector is inserted into a computer outlet. If you understand how the wires are distributed in the connector, there will be no problems connecting an Internet outlet.
Internet cable connection scheme by color
There are two connection schemes: T568A and T568B. The first option – “A” is practically not used in our country, and everywhere the wires are arranged according to the “B” scheme. It must be remembered, since it is it that is required in most cases.
To finally clarify all the issues, let’s talk about the number of wires in a twisted pair. This internet cable comes in 2-pair and 4-pair. For data transfer at speeds up to 1 Gb / s, 2-pair cables are used, from 1 to 10 Gb / s – 4-pair. In apartments and private houses today, mainly, streams up to 100 Mb / s are brought. But with the current pace of development of Internet technology, it is quite possible that in a couple of years the speeds will be calculated in Megabits. It is for this reason that it is better to immediately expand the network of eight, and not of 4 conductors. Then when you change the speed you do not have to redo anything. It’s just that the equipment will use more conductors. The difference in cable price is small, and sockets and Internet connectors still use eight-pin.
If the network is already wired in two-pair, use the same connectors, only after the first three conductors laid according to scheme B, skip two contacts and lay the green conductor in place of the sixth (see photo).
Crimping a twisted pair in a connector
There are special pliers for crimping wires in the connector. They cost about $6-10 depending on the manufacturer. It is more convenient to work with them, although you can get by with a regular screwdriver and wire cutters.
First, insulation is removed from the twisted pair. It is removed at a distance of 7-8 cm from the end of the cable. Under it there are four pairs of conductors of different colors, twisted in twos. Sometimes there is also a thin shielding wire, we simply bend it to the side – we do not need it. We unwind the pairs, align the wires, spreading them in different directions. Then fold according to the scheme “B”.
We clamp the wires in the right order between the thumb and forefinger, lay out the wires evenly, tightly to each other. Having aligned everything, we take wire cutters and cut off the excess length of the wires laid out in order: 10-12 mm should remain. If you attach the connector as in the photo, the twisted pair insulation should start above the latch.
We put a twisted pair with cut wires into the connector. Please note that you need to take it with the latch (protrusion on the cover) down.
Each conductor must get into a special track. Insert the wires all the way – they should reach the edge of the connector. Holding the cable at the edge of the connector, insert it into the pliers. The handles of the pliers are brought together smoothly. If the body has become normal, no special efforts are required. If you feel that it “does not work”, double-check whether the RJ45 is in the socket correctly. If everything is fine, try again.
When pressed, the protrusions in the tongs will move the conductors to the micro-knives, which will cut through the protective sheath and provide contact.
Such a connection is reliable and problems with it rarely occur. And if something happens, it’s easy to remake the cable: cut off and repeat the process with another “jack”.
You can read about connecting a chandelier here.
Video lesson: crimping the RJ-45 connector with pliers and a screwdriver
The procedure is simple and easy to repeat. It may be easier for you to do everything after the video. It shows how to work with pliers, as well as how to do without them, and do everything with a regular straight screwdriver.
How to connect an internet cable to a power outlet
Now we come directly to how to connect the Internet outlet. Let’s start with varieties. Like conventional electrical outlets, information ones come in two modifications:
- For indoor installation. A mounting plastic box is embedded in the wall. The contact part of the socket is then inserted and fixed into it, and everything is closed from above with a plastic decorative panel.
Computer socket RJ45 internal - For outdoor installation. This type of socket is very similar in appearance to the usual telephone sockets: a small plastic housing that is mounted on the wall. It also consists of several parts. First, the case with the contact plate is mounted, then the wires are connected, and then everything is closed with a protective cap.
Outdoor RJ-45 Computer Outlet – Wall Mounted
By the number of connection points, there are single and double computer sockets.
Although outwardly computer sockets differ, the principle of connecting conductors is the same for them. There are special contacts equipped with micro-knives. At the inserted conductor, the protective sheath is cut through. As a result, the metal of the microknife contacts fits snugly against the metal of the conductor.
How to connect a computer wall outlet
Inside each socket there is a hint on how to place the wires when connecting the Internet cable. Manufacturers stick on the color scheme that we saw when crimping the connector. There are also two options – “A” and “B”, and we use the same option “B”.
The case is mounted on the wall, usually with the cable inlet up, the computer connector down. The next steps are simple:
- Remove the protective insulation from the twisted pair by about 5-7 cm. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the insulation of the conductors.
- In the photo you can see that there is a small plastic clamp on the board. A conductor is inserted into it, and fixed so that the piece stripped of insulation is below the clamp.
Connecting a 4-wire wall socket - On the case you see micro-knife contacts. Bring the wire of the desired color to them and insert it, trying to reach it to the very bottom of the contact group. When the conductor passes the knives, a click is heard. This means that he fell into place and the insulation was cut through. If it was not possible to achieve a click, after everything is separated according to the colors according to the contacts, take an ordinary straight screwdriver with a thin blade and forcibly lower the wires down. The same can be done with the back (non-sharp) side of the knife.
Eight conductors are connected according to the “B” scheme - After all the conductors have reached their place, the excess (protruding pieces) are cut off.
- Put on a lid.
Connecting a twisted pair to an outlet is really a simple procedure. Even the first time it will take a few minutes. Once again, you can see what and how they do in the video. It first shows the connection of an Internet cable with 4 wires, then with 8.
Sometimes you have to get up in bed to turn off the lights. But you can make lighting control from several points. How – read the article about connecting pass-through switches.
How to connect an internal internet outlet
We will not describe the installation of a plastic box – this is another topic. We will understand the features of connection and assembly. The main snag here is how to disassemble computer sockets. When connecting conductors to them, it is necessary to get to the contact part: a small ceramic or plastic case with built-in microknife contacts. The conductors are connected to this mounting plate, and then the case is assembled again. And the whole problem is that they are assembled / disassembled by different manufacturers in different ways.
For example, at the popular manufacturer of computer sockets Legrand (Legrand), in order to get to the connectors in the Legrand Valena RJ45 computer socket, you need to remove the front cover. Under it, a white plastic impeller (as in the photo) will be found, on which an arrow is applied.
It is necessary to turn the impeller in the direction of the arrow, after which the case and the contact plate will remain in your hands. It has color-coded conductors. The connection is no different, except that – first, you need to thread a twisted pair into the hole on the plate, and then spread the wires.
For clarity, watch the video.
Another popular manufacturer of such equipment is Lezard (Lezard). He has a different system. The front panel and metal frame are fixed with small bolts. They are easy to unscrew, but the internal contact plate is held on by clamps. When assembling and disassembling Lezard computer sockets (Lezard) in the right places, it is necessary to wring out the contacts with a screwdriver.
To remove the plastic contact group from the housing, it is necessary to press on the latch located at the top. After that, you will have a small box in your hands. But that’s not all. It is necessary to remove the plastic cover that closes and presses the conductors. Remove it by prying the side petals with a screwdriver. The plastic is elastic and the effort required is quite decent. Just do not overdo it: it’s still plastic. After that, the wiring is standard: according to the markings applied on the sides (do not forget that we use the “B” scheme).
And again, to consolidate the material, we recommend watching the video.
If you know how to connect an Internet outlet, even with an unfamiliar model, it’s easy to figure it out. And now you can upgrade your network yourself (increase the length of the twisted pair, move the computer to another location, make another connection point, etc.), without involving specialists. One more question remains: how to connect double sockets. Two cables are brought to them and then there is a color scheme. This is possible when your network is formed by a modem or two Internet lines come in. Is it possible to embroider both inputs with one cable? It is possible, but you need not get confused in the color designation of the wires in the further wiring of the network (remember which color you used instead of which one).