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Copper Cabling Tutorials and FAQ's


Category 5 / 5E & Cat 6 Cabling Tutorial and FAQ'sCategory 5 / 5E & Cat 6 Cabling Tutorial and FAQ's

The following article aims to provide beginner to intermediate-level installers with just the right mix of technical and practical information on Category 5, Category 5e, and Category 6 UTP network cabling. 

Copper vs. fiber: Choosing the right cable for new networking installationsCopper vs. fiber: Choosing the right cable for new networking installations
Both fiber and copper cabling solutions can support new and unique networking installations. However, before pursuing either, businesses should evaluate the benefits and challenges that accompany each.

How to Make a Category 5 / Cat 5E Patch CableHow to Make a Category 5 / Cat 5E Patch Cable

Our most popular tutorial goes step by step with pictures on how to terminate a Cat 5 patch cable and includes a how to video as well! This tutorail shows you how to terminate a Cat 5e cable with the easy loadbar method. 

All About CAT 6A Cat 6A Shielded Cable - Cat 6A UTP CableAll About CAT 6A Cat 6A Shielded Cable - Cat 6A UTP Cable

As the industry strives to make sense of the new Cat 6A standards and solutions, there has been much debate about Cat 6A unshielded twisted pair (UTP) vs. Cat 6A shielded twisted pair (STP) and which is the better option for supporting 10 Gig. Both solutions have their place, and this article aims to provide some key information that will help our customers make an informed decision.

How to Make a Category 6 Patch CableHow to Make a Category 6 Patch Cable
On this page, we will cover making patch cords, and other technical and non-technical issues relating to category 5 and 6 patching and connectivity from device to device. Below, you will find the diagrams for 568A, 568B, and crossover patch cables. 

How to Terminate the Cat 6A, 10G, SHIELDED 10-Gigabit Keystone Jack by Quick-Cat™ Leading 10GHow to Terminate the Cat 6A, 10G, SHIELDED 10-Gigabit Keystone Jack by Quick-Cat™ Leading 10G
This step by step picture tutorial shows how shielded Cat 6A Jacks are extremely easy and quick to install. We wrote these instructions in many steps so as to give our customers a very detailed assembly instruction. Most users will have no trouble installing this jack in two minutes or less. 

Designing Conduit Runs EIA/TIA 569 Vs. NECDesigning Conduit Runs EIA/TIA 569 Vs. NEC

When designing a conduit run, the most important decision that you will have to make is it’s size. Consider not only the cables that will be installed now, but the likelihood of having to add cables in the future. “Fill factor” or conduit fill, states the maximum amount of space that the installed cables should occupy in a given size conduit, expressed as a percentage of the interior volume.

How to Wire a Phone Jack (Voice or Telephone RJ-11 thru RJ-14)How to Wire a Phone Jack (Voice or Telephone RJ-11 thru RJ-14)
Telephone wiring for a phone outlet is typically either 1, 2 or 3 pairs (2, 4, or 6 conductor). Most cable nowadays is UTP (unshielded twisted pair). There may be instances where you may need to connect to or transpose from the old "quad" cable. The diagram below provides the transposition between these standards.

How to Troubleshoot Wired (Cat 5, Cat 6 etc.) Network ConnectionsHow to Troubleshoot Wired (Cat 5, Cat 6 etc.) Network Connections
Troubleshooting a Cat 6 (or Cat 5) Network connection from the Network Switch to the Data Outlet and/or Computer can sometimes be very frustrating even for an experienced professional. This tutorial goes into some possible reason for the issues and ways to test and fix the problem. 

Installing Cat 6E (and Cat 5E) Shielded Modular Plugs using the QuickTreX™ SystemInstalling Cat 6E (and Cat 5E) Shielded Modular Plugs using the QuickTreX™ System
It is now easy to field terminate category 6E (and Category 5E) Shielded modular plugs thanks to the new QuickTreX™ Category 6E Shielded modular plug which contains a new Heavy Duty Shield and the Patented Conductive NEXT Reduction System. This in depth step by step picture tutorial shows you how!

Cat 8 Cabling & Future Proofing Your Network

 Copper Cabling Tutorials and FAQ's  

 Category 5 / 5E & Cat 6 Cabling Tutorial and FAQ's  
 Copper Cabling Supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet with Cat 6A! 
 How to Make a Category 5 / Cat 5E Patch Cable
 How to Make a Category 6 Patch Cable
 How to Terminate the Cat 6A Shielded Jack
 Designing Conduit Runs EIA/TIA 569 Vs. NEC
 How to wire a Phone Jack 
 How to Troubleshoot Wired (Cat 5, Cat 6 etc.) Network Connections   
 Installing Cat 6E (and Cat 5E) Shielded Modular Plugs  using the QuickTreX™ System 

 Fiber Optic Tutorials and FAQ's
 Fiber Type vs. Speed and Distance
 Choosing a Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Assembly
 Why it is Important to Keep Fiber Optic Connectors clean                                                  
 Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies
 Mode Conditioning Cable Selector
 Designing Conduit Runs EIA/TIA 569 Vs. NEC
 Fiber Optic Jargon
 Fiber Optic Cable
 Fiber Optic Tutorial
 Fiber Optic Testing
 Fiber Optic Training
 Fiber Optic Network
 Estimating and Bidding
 Choosing a Fiber Optic Cable Type for Your Installation
 Optical Fiber
 The Basics of Fiber Optic
 Glossary of Fiber Optic Terms


  HDMI Tutorials  
 HDMI Tutorials
 How do HDMI refresh rates and bandwidth capabilities work?                                           
 HDMI backwards compatibility
 How do wire gauges impact HDMI cable performance?
 Types of HDMI Cables
 What are RedMere HDMI cables?
 What are the options for HDMI connectors?
 What is HDMI 1.4?
 What are CL2 and CL3 HDMI cables?