Re: Cat-6 Installation Advice

["Robert Green" <ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx>]

"BruceR" <brNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

> After you've used the EZ RJ45s one time, you'll never go
> back to the old style.

Hi Bruce,  Mind if I pick your brain a bit?

Are EZ crimps as much of a leap over regular RJ45's as Push'N'Seals are over
regular crimp connectors for RG cable?  I've been looking at the model
Worthington sells as:

     Platinum Tools 100008
     EZ-RJ45 Combo Pack
     24 Connectors and Tool   $68

Is that a good deal?  Can I also use this tool to terminate RJ11 cables for
phone use?

What would you recommend to test the cables once they're in place?  I've
looked at this device

http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?cPath=103_153&products_id=10
40

     TUTP300
     Description:  This cable run tester was designed specifically for
     Home Networking and Home Automation professionals. It can
     test and locate CATV, telephone, audio, security, and network
    cabling. The large, easy to read display shows the pass or fail
    status of each test. The Resi-Tester has a built-in tone generator
    and the wire test remote is stored right in the tester. Up to 20
    cables can be identified and wiremapped using optional
    identifier  sets.

But I'm not sure it will tell me anything other than continuity.

> That and the Powerfast cable tacker are my new favorite items.

How does the Powerfast compare to insulated cable tackers?  Lots of cabling
guides that I've read aren't keen on stapling cable so that the metal staple
is directly against the cable jacket.  The theory is that in time vibration
and settling can cause the cable to pull and the staple to cut into the
jacket. As I person who has managed to put a CT-10 staple right some network
cable (right at the worst place possible, I'm interested in ways to keep
that from happening again.  That incident turned out to be at least a $100
time waste as well as 9.0 on the Richter "pissed off at myself" scale.
I've found some interesting tools here:

http://www.mccartenco.com/products/wandc/index-1863.html

and am particularly interested in the RB-2 Clip gun and RG-6 Quad Clips.
Product ID: 30-RB-2 Price: $32.95

I've already got an insulated stapler for RG59U and CAT5, and like the
Powerfast, the staple legs are much wider than the actual cable, but I'd
really like something better to fasten RG6QS that the nail-in clips I'm
currently using.

> I also like the RJ45 jacks offered by www.pimfg.com
> with the horeshoe configuration. Makes terminating cables a breeze.

Do you have a part number?  I searched on RJ45 and all I could find were
rows and rows of 7  RJ8-25S-BLK
(Catalog Page#: 22)  MOD ADAPTER,RJ45-DB25F,BLACK in different colors and a
few other items, but no jacks.

> Anything I find that makes a job go faster and improves quality is a
> must in my book!

Amen!  When I first started running video cables, I used <shudder> twist-on
connectors.  Then, when I got tired of leaking signals and connectors that
pulled off, I got a hex crimper.  Finally, after reading message after
message singing the praises of Push'N'Seal I finally bit the bullet.  Why I
EVER messed around with anything else, I will never know.  Perfect
watertight connections almost every time.

I have one other question.  I've seen Push'N'Seal connectors for RCA and BNC
connectors.  They're quite expensive and I would have to buy a new
compression tool to use them.  Are they better than using a F to BNC and F
to RCA adapters?  Costwise, they're really about the same.

The only difference I can see is that when it's time to rewire it would be
cheaper to cut the 37 cent "Type F" Push'N'Seal off the cable and redo it
than to cut off the $2+ BNC and RCA Push'N'Seals.

Another upside to plain "F" connectors is that I can use right angle F
adapters to enable me to keep equipment closer to the back wall than I could
with a straight-in run of RG6QS.  A serious downside I can see is that the
more adapters you have, the more opportunity there is for signal leakage.

Thanks!

--
Bobby G.