Preparing Shielded Network Cables

Components of a Shielded Network Cable

A shielded network cable consists of two shielded RJ45 connectors and one shielded twisted pair (STP) cable. Figure 7-32 shows a complete shielded network cable.

Figure 7-32 Shielded network cable

Checking Tools and Materials

Check the following items:

• Ensure that all necessary tools, including the diagonal pliers, RJ45 crimping tool, and blades (or knives), are available.
• Ensure that the necessary materials, including the shielded RJ45 connectors and the category 5e cables, are available. Figure 7-33 shows the shielded RJ45 connector, which has a shielded iron cover and a wire fastening slot.
• Ensure that the cable sheath is in proper condition. If the sheath round a part of the cable is convex, uneven in thickness, or damaged, cut that part off.

Figure 7-33 Components of a shielded RJ45 connector

Procedure

1. Install the boot of the RJ45 connector.
   1. Select a cable of proper length and install the boot on the RJ45 connector of the cable, as shown in Figure 7-34.
      Figure 7-34 Installing the boot of the RJ45 connector
      

   2. Use a blade or knife to peel off 30 mm of the sheath and use a blade to slit up to 5 mm on the sheath, as shown in Figure 7-35.
      Figure 7-35 Peeling off the sheath
      

   3. Install a shielded iron cover on the cable shield, and then insert the shielded iron cover into the sheath along the crack. Install the shielded iron cover correctly, as shown in Figure 7-36.
      Figure 7-36 Installing the shielded metal cover
      

2. Install the wires.

   When peeling off the cable sheath, do not damage the cable shield or the insulated wires.

   1. Use the diagonal pliers to peel the cable shield, grounding wire, aluminum foil, and polyester band off the first 20 mm of the cable, leaving only the insulated conductors.
   2. Arrange the four twisted pairs properly and insert them into the load bar, as shown in Figure 7-37 and Figure 7-38. Maintain the original twist pitch of the twisted pairs.
      Figure 7-37 Leading cables through the load bar
      
      Figure 7-38 Cable locations in a load bar
      

   3. Arrange the pairs smoothly and straightly at the aperture of the load bar. Arrange the wires properly and cut off the excess of the wires along the edge of the wire fastening slot. Table 7-12 shows the wires order, and Figure 7-39 shows the pins of the RJ45 connector (pay attention to the colors of pins).
      Figure 7-39 Pins of the RJ45 connector
      
      Table 7-12 Pair color codes

      Pin	Insulation Colors
      	Straight-Through Cable End A	Straight-Through Cable End B	Crossover Cable End A	Crossover Cable End B
      1	White and orange	White and orange	White and orange	White and green
      2	Orange	Orange	Orange	Green
      3	White and green	White and green	White and green	White and orange
      4	Blue	Blue	Blue	Blue
      5	White and blue	White and blue	White and blue	White and blue
      6	Green	Green	Green	Orange
      7	White and brown	White and brown	White and brown	White and brown
      8	Brown	Brown	Brown	Brown

   4. Install the plastic cover on the wire fastening slot, and then fasten the slot. To ensure that the cover is fitted properly, push it into the slot until you hear a click, as shown in Figure 7-40.
      Figure 7-40 Installing the wires
      

3. Crimp the RJ45 connector.
   1. Insert the RJ45 connector into the metal cover.
   2. Use the diagonal pliers to crimp the pins on the RJ45 connector. Ensure that the conductors inside the wires are properly connected to the pins and the RJ45 connector is placed correctly. After crimping, the pins on the connector must be lower than the plastic cover.
   3. Use a network cable tester or a multimeter to check that the wires are connected properly.
   4. Insert the RJ45 connector into the boot, as shown in Figure 7-41.
   Figure 7-41 Crimping the RJ45 connector