RJ-45 jacks on ELK Data Bus

[signal15]

Has anyone had problems with certain RJ45 plugs not working well in the jacks on the data bus? I bought a bag of 100 plugs from Monoprice, and I have to jiggle them all over in the jack to get them to work. They actually seem like they fit a bit loosely in the data bus jacks, but they work just fine with my patch panels and switches.

What brand of plugs are you guys using with the Data bus? I suspect I'll just have to go find another brand.

 

[WayneW]

I haven't had any issue with my EZ-RJ45 connectors.
http://www.platinumtools.com/connnectors/100003C.html

 

[felixrosbergen]

The EZ-RJ45's rule..i can't imagine having a plug that doesnt have the cable feed through...

I need 2 EZRj45's for a Cat6 cable...anybody have any?

 

[brotsten]

Are you certain you have a good crimp on the wires and that's not the problem?

Brian

 

[signal15]

Are you certain you have a good crimp on the wires and that's not the problem?

Brian

I've got a good crimp, I even cut it off and did it a second time to be sure. The pins are all pushed to full depth, and the ends of the wire bump up to the plastic on the end of the plug.

I'm going to go pick up a pack at Home Despot and see if they work differently.

 

[DaveW42]

I believe monoprice sells one RJ45 connector for stranded wire, and another for solid wire. Are you working with the right type for your wire?

Dave

 

[TXFlatLander]

Have you tried pulling the retaining clip out a little more? Sometimes they smash down and will not secure themselves into the jack. Also, I would make sure the pins inside the ELK port are not bent back.

I haven't had any experience with monoprices RJ45, but I would think they are standardized size and shape.

 

[opie]

The EZ-RJ45's rule..i can't imagine having a plug that doesnt have the cable feed through...

I need 2 EZRj45's for a Cat6 cable...anybody have any?

I have the EZ45's for cat 6, PM me and I'll get them to you.

Scott

 

[signal15]

I believe monoprice sells one RJ45 connector for stranded wire, and another for solid wire. Are you working with the right type for your wire?

Dave

Yes, I'm using solid wire, and solid 8P8C's. But, I figured out the problem. I went an bought an overpriced pack of Ideal RJ-45 ends from Lowes. If I set them both on end, and look at the part of the clip that retains the plug in the jack, the little lip that catches is lower on the monoprice plug. It's about 0.5mm shorter, but it makes all the difference. The Ideal plugs actually have very slightly wider conductors also. I was going to get out the micrometer and measure the difference, but that's just nerdy.

 

[Neurorad]

...but that's just nerdy.

I ain't got a gat but I gotta soldering gun.

Got skills, I'm a Champion of D&D
MC Escher that's my favorite MC

Can't you see I'm white n' nerdy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw

 

[Neurorad]

Seriously, what brand of 'EZ RJ-45' crimp tool should I get? And what brand of connectors? There are a variety of prices available - I'd prefer to buy quality products.

I think I'll have to contact AO to figure out which one is from 'Platinum Tools' - not specified in the descriptions.

Appreciate the input.

 

[gatchel]

I have personally used the ones from Home Depot with out any problems. I did a 200+ IP camera job about a year ago and haven't had one issue with bad connections to this point. I think they are ideal Brand. I also use the ideal crimpers. Just make sure you squeeze nice and hard when making the crimp, even with the ratcheting ones.

Obviously these are not the EZ brand but with a few test crimps they are not that difficult.

 

[WayneW]

Seriously, what brand of 'EZ RJ-45' crimp tool should I get? And what brand of connectors?

AFAIK, Platinum is the only brand for EZ-RJ45 stuff. I don't recall them licensing anything, but maybe they did.

The EZ-RJ45 connectors are the key and what makes they unique, so accept no substitutes, unless they are licensed from Platinum.
The proper EZ-RJ45 crimper is nice, but not required. Basically, the official EZ-RJ45 crimper also trims the stray wires coming out the front. But I have heard others say that a standard crimper and a cutting tool works OK for small quantities.

 

[gatchel]

(my $0.02)

I use a razor blade, a set of dikes and a standard crimper, all of which I carry on my tool belt when doing terminations.

I use the razor blade to score the jacket about 2 inches back from the end. Snap and remove the outer jacket, untwist and straighten the wires and set them in the proper order for crimping. Once they are lined up I cut them even with a pair of dikes (or scissors) then insert and crimp them.

I think the job is more about your attention to detail and cleanliness than what special tool you use.

For example, in the automotive world I am a big fan of Snap-On tools, Craftsman tools can still get the job done.

 

[Neurorad]

Thank you, Wayne. I'll look for the 'Platinum Tools' name.

Gatchel, thanks for the tips - I've never used, or seen, an RJ45 male connector crimp tool before.

I've had to 'punch down' many 'female' connectors - I googled 'wire dikes', and there is a joke in there somewhere.

Platinum Tools has 2 EZRJ45 crimpers - the standard, and 'pro' versions. Both are available from AO:

Pro
http://www.automatedoutlet.com/PT-100044

Standard
http://www.automatedoutlet.com/PT-100004

Pro version worth the extra $11?