I'm trying to crimp an RJ45 connector onto shielded twisted-pair Ethernet cable. My usual clear passthrough plugs let the conductors extend through the front so they can be trimmed during crimping, but these conductors seem slightly too thick to fit through the contacts. I also have shielded plugs, though their closed ends make it harder to keep the wires in the correct order while inserting them. Is this expected? Does removing the cable's shielding make a standard unshielded plug suitable, or do I need connectors specifically rated for this cable?
3 Answers
Shielded and unshielded cable use the same basic connector pin layout, but the plug still needs to match the cable’s conductor size and insulation diameter. Don’t strip away the shielding just to force an incompatible plug; use the proper shielded connector if the cable is intended to remain shielded, and bond the shield correctly.
The issue is probably the cable category and conductor size rather than the shielding itself. Cat 6A cable commonly uses larger conductors than Cat 5e or ordinary Cat 6, so passthrough plugs made for smaller cable may not fit. Use RJ45 plugs explicitly rated for the cable category, conductor diameter, and solid or stranded construction.
Passthrough connectors can work reliably when they’re the right type and are used with the matching crimper. However, some inexpensive versions can leave conductor ends touching or create shorts if they aren’t trimmed cleanly. For a permanent installation, a correctly rated connector or a punchdown jack and patch cable is generally the safer approach.
So the best match is based on category and conductor diameter, not simply whether the cable is labeled STP or UTP. I’ll look for plugs rated for this cable’s size and construction.