RJ45 Connectors

Everything needs to be connected when you are dealing with electronics. We live in a world where everything is electric and we have more devices than ever before. A lot of devices need to be connected to the internet – another application that is used worldwide and for that to happen, you need network cables.
An RJ45 is often used with network cables and acts as a physical connector. These connectors are often paired with various networks, as well as Ethernet cables (the most common). They are also used for telecommunications and data related equipment. When it comes to setting up the connector, you usually have to push the Ethernet cable into the RJ45, hence why it is considered a physical connector rather than a plug.

How Does an RJ45 Connector Work?

The way the RJ45 connector is constructed makes it perfect for Ethernet usages. The connector is made with 8 pins, which electrically connect with the individual strands of the wire when the cable is inserted into the connector. Every RJ45 connector has 8 different locations where the wires are inserted using crimping methods, and each location is about 1 mm apart. The technical names of these type of connectors are 8P8C, which stands for 8 positions and 8 contacts.
However, if an Ethernet cable and an 8P8C connector are to function probably they need to be specially crimped, otherwise, no data can flow through. It should also be noted that 8P8C doesn’t just have to be used with Ethernet cables and this can lead to some confusion if you are not an industry professional with a keen eye for detail. 8P8C can also be used with RS-232 cables, but more than likely, the design will be used for Ethernet.
Similarly, you will have to have a keen eye if you are using one of the older dial-up modems because they use RJ45’s – a slightly different variation of RJ45 that uses 2 contacts instead of 8. It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference without looking closely.

The RJ45’s Pinouts

If the wires of the cable are to attach and connect properly to the connector, the RJ45 pinouts need to be arranged in a particular way, which will allow the data to flow through efficiently. The RJ45 connector consists of two standard pinouts that define the arrangement of the 8 wires – T568B and T568A. These two patterns follow a standard process of coating each wire with different colors which allow the wires to operate with other equipment. T568B is the most common convention used in the industry.
There is a range of colors used when individuals are operating on these connectors – orange, blue, green and brown, as well as striped colors, are commonly seen. Following the colors is very important to ensure everything works and connects.

Does the RJ45 Cable Have Any Issues?

The issue with RJ45 connectors is that they can sometimes be a bit big for the cable that is being inserted. It is important to have a tight connection so that the data can flow without breaking. To form this tight connection a tab is sometimes required – a piece of plastic on the plug end of a cable that makes a tighter fit.
To remove the plug (with a tab) from an RJ45 connector requires a little bit of effort and downward force and if the plug is removed without such force the tab can break. This is a common situation in households, where individuals have accidents pulled the cord or it's being caught on another object and been ripped out, causing the tab to snap.