The History of RJ45 Connectors

Primarily used with Ethernet cables, RJ45 connectors are particularly effective at helping to wire up network connections, while also connecting switches and patch panels. The history of RJ45 connectors can be traced back to early telephone standards, and the development of RJ, or Registered Jack connections, as a way of connecting computer networks through eight pin components and wiring from different types of cable speeds.

Also known as 8P8C connectors, RJ45s have become the standard for connecting up networks, and are typically used with twisted pair wiring in cables. Braided and solid wire variants can also be found for RJ45s, which can be set up to be attached to the end of Ethernet cables before they enter into other devices and switches. In most cases, though, RJ45 connectors are used as the terminating point of a solid Ethernet cable, as well as with patch leads connecting devices across short distances.

The 8P8C standard particularly goes back to telecommunications policy in the United States, and the introduction of registered jacks for phone line wiring and cabling from 1976. Protective couplers were designed to standardise how wiring could be connected to phone sockets and devices, and developed specifications to include TIA-968-A cabling regulations for modular connectors able to jack different devices for homes and businesses.

As well as RJ45 connectors, RJ2M connectors for 2-12 telephone lines, and RJ15C connectors or single telephone lines became common standards for the linking up o devices. RJ45 has come to be used for one data line and primarily Ethernet based connectors, with 8 pinouts and keying designs to prevent mating with other connectors. RJ45s were initially used or networking modems and data connections for computers, and are now employed for different types of cabling under ISO/IEC 11801 standards for electrical wiring.

RJ45s are now more associated with shorter network connections and Ethernet cables than with telephone lines, and are a useful tool for anyone wanting to, for example, connect their computer directly to a router or modem. The amount of capacity that an RJ45 connector can handle depends on the Ethernet cable being used, and how many extra pins within a connector are needed to transfer data at high speed - to this end, Cat 6 cables deliver higher speeds, and use more pins, in most cases, than Cat 5 and Cat 5e cabling.

RJ45 connectors consequently play an important role in allowing single Ethernet cables to be wired into individual devices, depending on the length of the cable that you need. When deployed in small server rooms, RJ45 connectors provide a bridge between twisted wires and ports on devices; to fit them onto cables, you typically need to trim and crimp the wires from a cable into an RJ45 cable connector, before testing its charge through a cable tester. It's becoming more and more common to use Cat 6 enabled cables to deliver higher speeds and more connectivity through 8 pin RPCs, with the emphasis being on future proofing cable speeds.

Author Bio: Sarah blogs about networking and the different tech available to businesses. She recommends checking out RJ45 connectors online for deals on individual cables and leads.