How To Make An Ethernet Cable (Straight Through And Cross Over Cable)

Purchasing fully made Ethernet cables from the store can be quite expensive.  It is far easier to simply buy a box of bulk Category 5 Ethernet cable and then attach your own RJ-45 connectors to the cut ends to your preferred length.

Materials Required

There are two kinds of Ethernet cables you can make. Straight Through and Crossover.


STRAIGHT THROUGH - Ethernet cables are the standard cable used for almost all purposes. It is highly recommended you duplicate the color order as shown on the left.  

CROSSOVER CABLES - The purpose of a Crossover Ethernet cable is to directly connect one computer to another computer (or device) without going through a router, switch or hub.

Procedure

Here's how to make a standard cable:

1. Cut into the plastic sheath 1 inch from the end of the cut cable. The crimping tool has a razor blade that will do the trick with practice.
2. Unwind and pair of the similar colors.  
3. Pinch the wires between your fingers and straighten them out as shown. 
(The wire colors line up to form a straight through standard cat 5 cable as described above.)

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