CAT6 3 pair patch lead

We have often wondered why some of our brand new identical spec laptops complete their software install quicker than others despite being connected to the same Cisco managed switch.

Then a clip broke of a connector and I took a close look at it to double check the wiring colours before fitting a new plug…..

Found the manufacturers had only used 3 pairs! Actually, without putting a magnifier or a multimeter on it, I’m not sure its that good!

There are wires in the leftmost two “pins”. Wires in the centre two, and wires in the rightmost two.

Somehow I don’t think we were getting GB speeds!!

Hasn't this always been the same, cables supplied by the manufacturer with only limited connections to meet the basic standard. When AV consumer equipment was connected via SCART I used to throw away the leads with a couple/few of the connections in favour of leads I purchased with all 21 pins connected. Perhaps more common were leads supplied with equipment with no or inadequate screening.

This was supplied to the NHS along with hundreds of others (I’m sure the majority must be correctly wired) when we commissioned a new HQ building a few years ago.

Only had three pairs, or had four and just failed to terminate one properly?

Sometimes happens even with a cable that should have all pairs. I setup three PCs for someone the other day, left them so I could remote access them, and set about migrating data from the old machines. Each had about

There is no “traditional” phones in the building, only mobiles and softphones running on “PCs” and mobiles.

We have patched extentions from PABXs in other buildings in the past, but that was done with CAT5 ethernet patch cables.

An ethernet cable tester is less than £10 (or £12 from Screwfix). Invaluable for sorting problems especially if you make your own. I now use pass through RJ45 plugs because I can't see if the wires are inserted correctly in poor light.

I gave up making RJ454 patch leads years ago, Too high a failure rate.

You need all 8 pins connected. Other things than 10Mbps Ethernet use RJ45

Like ISDN30 which uses all eight contacts but pairs the wires differently from ethernet.

John

Patch leads use stranded conductors. You weren't trying to put plugs on solid-core cable were you? The IDC "blade" tends to fracture the wire.

(Yes I know you can get plugs with a modified blade profile for solid wires, but you would need to specifically order them).

No.

Agreed

No. We used stranded. But about 1 in 3 connections had one or more wires that didn't work, and the labour cost of making them well exceeded the cost of buying them eventually.

And you end up with more colours.