Technical > Home Improvement > tool-less vs. punch-down CAT jacks + cables

tool-less vs. punch-down CAT jacks + cables

You'll get a more reliable connection with a punch-down jack. The tool isn't that expensive so I'd suggest you pick one up. As far as mixing different rated cable and jacks, it'll work but you do risk having the connection run at the highest common speed (100 megabit even though you're using cat6). There shouldn't be a noticeable cost difference when it comes to the cable and jacks so just go with all cat6.

Don't run patch cable in the wall. Buy the proper product. I believe you're looking at riser cable for in wall installation. There's also plenum cable if you're installing in an air space, though you will pay a premium for plenum rated cable. For my wiring project I used all cat6 jacks and cat6 riser cable. When it came to the patch cables for my patch panel to switch I just bought 1 or 2' cables from monoprice. Don't bother with making your own, it's not worth the trouble.

reply to aurgathor
Tool-less is harder to visually see if the wire is properly seated when you close it.
You can get a cheap punch down for like a buck on ebay (may as well buy a punch down + crimp for 5$).

Because of that, it's actually faster (less troubleshooting) with punchdown.

Cat5e jacks will degrade a Cat6 cable (Probably won't be noticed at 1gbps), but since you can use Cat6 jacks with cat5e cables, may as well go for cat6 jacks, they don't cost more (unless you buy from a scumbag store).

Patch cables are braided internally. They can't be very long. Inside the walls, or long runs, you use solid strand network cables.

reply to aurgathor
Keystones are meant to be used with solid wire. Most patch cables are not solid wire, but are stranded instead.

I personally don't like the tool-less jacks. The time they save by not using a punch tool is wasted by half of them failing to punch enough to make a solid connection with the teeth in the jack.

You should use the proper jacks for your cable. Standard Cat5e is 24awg, while standard Cat6 is 22awg. You can probably get away with cramming Cat6 wire into a cat5e keystone if your not needing the rated capacity of a pure Cat6 network. Punching Cat5e wire down into a Cat6 keystone can result in loose terminations if the keystones are rated for such, which will cause network issues.

reply to aurgathor
I used those exact tool-less keystones on my Cat 6 that I rewired my house with. All worked fine and not a single failure yet. All running 1Gbps.

reply to aurgathor
Realistically it won't make any difference if you use a different jack. You can't get it certified, but that's a different story.
What makes most difference is the way it is being wired. Keep the wires short and twisted as much as possible and you'll be good.
Don't use patch cables, they are stranded and you may not get a good punch.

reply to aurgathor
Are you doing it one off? You probably wont notice a failure rate worth noting if so. If you're installing them on a regular basis that's when the toolles ones shine in their failure.

reply to aurgathor
You might want to check out Platinum Tools modular crimping tool that crimps a special 8 contact modular Plug that is much easier to attach to the CAT-5E or CAT-6 Cable:

»www.platinumtools.com/products/1···hp?cat=4

The proprietary CAT-5E connector is here:

»www.platinumtools.com/products/1···hp?cat=5

Each conductor is fed through the plug and the crimping tool makes the connection and cuts off the excess wire.

Tool and connectors available here:

»www.cyberguys.com/product-listin···yid=1086

reply to cowspotter

reply to aurgathor
I use Leviton punchdown jacks in my own work, all of the time, unless I have to match an existing cabling system. I think they are more reliable and I can terminate them fast, with or without the JackRapid tool.
We use Panduit here at work. They are not bad, but depending on what Graybar has in stock, we could get any of 3 different termination styles, which require a different plastic gizmo to terminate.

reply to aurgathor
I use tool less jacks from monoprice. Pain in the ass. But they're all in and my whole house is wired, so...

reply to aurgathor
How about using a coupler type jack. If you have cables with the ends already on there? Any cons to doing it that way?

»www.monoprice.com/products/produ···format=2
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~Sly

No cons as far as the jack is concerned, but that's only advantageous if you are using terminated cables, and that likely means you're not using riser cable for your runs inside the walls.

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