I found a phone jack-like outlet that I want to convert into an ethernet port. There's a cable stuffed inside that wasn't connected to anything, and it has exposed wires at the end. I'm wondering if this wire can be used for ethernet purposes, especially for gaming, and if so, how should I connect the wires to the outlet? Here's a link to the image of the setup: https://imgur.com/a/NgzQPTN
2 Answers
From what you described, if the wire indicates CAT5, CAT5e, or CAT6, then you should be good to go. Look for 8 strands inside — 4 solid colored and 4 striped: that’s the typical arrangement. Just keep in mind the maximum speed and distance varies based on the category of the wire. CAT5 is good for 100MB, while CAT5e can handle 1000MB, and CAT6 goes even higher!
That wire is definitely the standard for ethernet connections! You just need to terminate it into an RJ45 connector, which will then allow you to plug it into your internet devices. You'll have to do a bit of wiring, but it's pretty straightforward!
Here's a picture of the wall plate where the wire was hidden: https://imgur.com/a/iGMgc8N. They were disconnected. Do I need to buy a new wall plate or is there a way to connect them? Worth noting, I’m also looking into how to do that!
I see the 4 pairs but can't make out if it's CAT5 or anything else because of some paint. So I’m not totally sure.