If you have the right materials you can easily make your own network cables. Making your own custom-length network cables is easy if you follow the prompts our tech team highlights here. By crimping your own Ethernet cables, you can make them in any length you want. Pre-made Ethernet cables only come in specific lengths, and you may need a size that isn't available. Making your own network cable using electrical crimping tools is easy and that is all this article is about

First, you will need a crimping tool

What is are crimping tools?

A crimping tool is a device used to conjoin two pieces of metal by deforming one or both of them in a way that causes them to hold each other. The result of the tool's work is called a crimp. A good example of crimping is the process of affixing a connector to the end of a cable. For instance, network cables and phone cables are created using a crimping tool (shown below) to join the RJ-45 and RJ-11 connectors to both ends of either phone or Cat 5 cable.

How does it work?

To use this crimping tool, each wire is first placed into the connector. Once all wires are in the jack, the connector with wires are placed into the crimping tool, and the handles are squeezed together. Crimping punctures the plastic connector and holds each of the wires, allowing for data to be transmitted through the connector.

How to make a network cable

To create a network cable, you will first need the equipment listed below.

1. Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable - This cabling can be purchased in large spindles at www.gz-supplies.com. Cat5 cabling is the most commonly used cable used today for networks.
2. RJ-45 connectors - These connectors can be purchased at www.gz-supplies.com and usually come in bulk packages.
3. Crimping tool - These tools are often purchased at our online shop. To create a network cable you need a crimper that is capable of crimping an RJ-45 cable (not only an RJ-11 cable, which looks similar to an RJ-45).
4. Wire stripper or Knife - If you plan on making several network cables you should also consider getting a wire stripper cable of stripping Cat 5, Cat 6, or your cable of choice.

Once you have the necessary equipment needed to create a network cable, you need to determine the type of network cable you want to create. There are two major network cables: a straight-through cable and a crossover cable. Below are some examples of what cable is used for each of the examples.

Straight through cable (T568A)

1. Computer to the hub, switch, router, or wall.
2. Computer to Computer with no switch or hub.
3. Network devise to the network device. For example, router to router.

Crossover cable (T568A & T568B)

Once you have determined the type of network cable, strip the cable. We recommend stripping at least half of an inch off of the cable to expose the inner wires. Don't be worried about stripping too much of the network cable jacket off since you can always cut the wires down more if needed later. After the network cable jacket is removed, separate the wires in the cable so they can be put into the RJ-45 connector. The CAT5 twisted-pair cables consist of four twisted wires, each color-coded; one a solid color, and one a striped color. As seen below, most network cables consist of a green, blue, orange, and brown pair of cables. There are two cable standards T568A and T568B, each twisted pair must be broken apart to create the layout as shown above. If you want to create a straight-through cable, both ends of the cable should be identical and should match the T568A example shown above. If you want to create a crossover cable, one end of the cable should match T568A, and one should match T568B.

After separating the ends of the cable to match one of the above examples, insert the cables into the RJ-45 connector and crimp.

Common Crimper Types

• Hand Crimpers. These handheld crimpers are used for smaller wires. ...
• Hydraulic Crimpers. Hydraulic crimpers can apply much more pressure than small handheld crimpers and are used for thicker wires. ...
• Hammer Crimpers.

How to Select a Wire Crimper

The content we provide is meant to inform you and help support the proper selection and use of crimpers. As always, we recommend you consult a licensed and competent electrician to help you with the sizing and selection of parts for your particular application. Need more help? Visit our shop or email us at info@gz-ind.com

Features of a crimping tool

Different Crimpers Offer Variety of Features

Modular Crimp Tool

In Modular Crimp Tool, When crimping end sleeves a distinction is made between sleeves with and without plastic collars and between trapezoid and square crimping. The sleeves with a plastic collar make it easier to insert individual stranded wires. The colored marking on the wire end sleeves is used to classify the cross-section. The Modular Crimp Tool ensures better contact in the terminal strip. The crimp tool also facilitates alignment and assembly, as clamps can be attached to each of the surfaces.

Ratchet Modular Crimp Tool

In Ratchet Modular Crimp Tool, What makes this tool better is it's fully ratcheted mechanism and it's dedicated, round-wire stripper. Most low-cost tools are not ratcheted - leading to poorly terminated connections and cables that may fail in service. And most other tools were designed only to work with flat satin phone cables. The Paladin 1545 features a round wire stripper to easily remove the outer jacket from Category 5 cabling without nicking the conductors.

Ratchet Combo Modular Crimp Tool

In Ratchet Combo Modular Crimp Tool, CRIMP-DEL terminates RJ11 6P4C, RJ12 6P6C, and RJ45 8P8C modular plugs, as well as 4P2C/4P4C Handset plugs and more. Straight action ensures a uniform crimp. The small, compact tool features a full-cycle ratchet plus a built-in wire cutter and stripper. All-steel frame has a rust-resistant, black oxide finish.

These Soft-Touch ratchet tools provide maximum efficiency and convenience when used in difficult access areas or on manifold connections. The full cycle mechanism assures consistent crimps to A.S.T.M. specifications. The compact design and light weight construction make these tools extremely versatile. Ratchet assures complete and consistent crimps.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Wire Strip Tools

This Preparation Tool provides a simple and effective method of preparing both coaxial and twisted pair cables for termination. The tool features two reliable, color-coded dies that are interchangeable for each media type. The coaxial die strips RG59 and RG6 coaxial cable and the twisted-pair die strips a wide variety of UTP, SCTP, and fiber cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 What do electricians use crimpers for?

In order to avoid shortages or poor electrical connections, the crimping tool's function is to create a strong connection that is correctly sealed against any gas or moisture. It enables wire termination or solderless connections between two wires for electricians.

Q2 Why do we crimp wires?

An airtight seal is formed between the connector and the cable by crimped connections, providing dependable, long-lasting connections that are shielded from external elements such moisture, sand, dust, and filth.

Q3 Does crimping increase resistance?

When testing electrical devices under temperature increase conditions in test labs, cables with crimped lugs are commonly utilized. High power and heat dissipation during these tests can be caused by the increase in electrical resistance of the crimped connections, which can impede the results.

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