RJ45 connector
Do you want one? IP camera, recorder or other network device? Then you will soon come across an RJ45 connector. This small plug is essential to properly connect a network cable to, for example, a router, switch or security camera.
Yet it often raises questions. Is an RJ45 the same as a UTP cable? Which connector do you need for your cable? And how do you actually install such a plug? That may sound technical, but in practice it is often not that bad. Below we explain it step by step, so that you know exactly which RJ45 connector best suits your network or camera system.
What is an RJ45 connector?
An RJ45 connector is the transparent plug at the end of a network cable. This plug is used to connect a cable to network equipment such as:
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IP cameras
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NVR recorders
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routers
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switches
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computers
An RJ45 connector contains eight small metal contact points. These connect to the eight wires in a network cable. When you plug the cable into a device, these contacts are connected and data can be sent.
You see RJ45 connectors everywhere in networks, especially in camera security where IP cameras work via a network cable.
Is RJ45 the same as UTP?
This is a question we often receive in the showroom.
The short answer: no, RJ45 and UTP are not the same.
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UTP is the cable itself (Unshielded Twisted Pair).
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RJ45 is the plug at the end of that cable.
You can compare it to an extension cord: the cable is the cord, and the plug at the end is the connector.
With network cabling you often see indications such as:
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CAT5
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CAT5e
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CAT6
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CAT6A
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CAT7
These are different types of UTP or network cables, each with their own speed and capacity. You need a matching RJ45 connector for each cable.
Which RJ45 connector do I need?
Which connector you need mainly depends on two things:
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The type of network cable
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Whether the cable has stiff or flexible cores
CAT5, CAT6 or CAT7
The category of the cable determines which connector is suitable.
For example:
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CAT5 / CAT5e RJ45 connector – suitable for standard network cabling
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CAT6 connector – supports higher data rates
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CAT6A or CAT7 connector – for professional networks with even higher bandwidth
CAT5e or CAT6 is often used for IP cameras. These offer more than sufficient speed for video images.
Stiff or flexible veins
Network cables can also differ in the core of the wire.
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Solid (stiff cores) – usually used for fixed installations in walls
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Stranded (flexible cores) – often used with patch cables
It is important that you choose an RJ45 connector that fits this type of wire, so that the connection continues to work properly.
Pass Through RJ45 connectors: faster installation
Pass-through RJ45 connectors are becoming increasingly popular. These connectors have a smart feature: the cable cores protrude through the front of the plug.
That has a few advantages:
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you can immediately see whether the colors are in the correct order
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connecting is faster
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the chance of errors is smaller
With a special pass-through crimping pliers you automatically cut the protruding wires when you squeeze the connector.
This often saves a lot of time for installers and do-it-yourselfers.
How do I connect an RJ45 plug?
Connecting an RJ45 connector sounds complicated, but with the right steps it is easy to do.
Step 1: strip cable
Remove a small piece of the outer sheath from the network cable.
Step 2: sort cores
A network cable contains eight colored cores. You place these in the correct order according to the T568B standard.
Step 3: Cut the cores straight
Make sure that all wires are the same length so that they fit neatly into the connector.
Step 4: insert the cable into the RJ45 connector
Slide the wires completely into the connector until they are against the front.
Step 5: Crimping with pliers
Use a crimping tool to tighten the connector. This presses the metal pins into the wires and creates a connection.
That may sound technical, but after practicing once or twice it is often surprisingly easy.
RJ45 couplings for extending cables
Sometimes you do not want to install a new connector, but simply connect two network cables together. You use an RJ45 connector for this.
This is a small adapter with an RJ45 connection on both sides. You simply plug in two network cables.
There are even variants that are suitable for outdoor use, for example when you want to extend a cable in the garden or to an outbuilding.
RJ45 connectors for camera security
RJ45 connectors are used daily in IP camera systems. Each camera is connected to a recorder or switch with a network cable.
For example:
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a storefront with several security cameras
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a business hall where cameras are connected via long cables
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a home with PoE IP cameras
With the right RJ45 connectors you ensure that the connection remains stable and the camera images are transmitted without interference.
Personal advice in our showroom
Are you unsure which RJ45 connector best suits your cable or camera system? That is very normal. There are many different variants.
In our showroom in Gorinchem we are happy to show you which connectors work best for your installation. We can also explain how to crimp an RJ45 plug or which cable best suits your security system.
This is a connector in which the cable wires protrude through the front of the plug. This makes it quicker and easier to check whether the cable is connected correctly.