Best for Field Termination: Toolless RJ45 Connector

RJ45 connectors are usually attached to the end of the Ethernet cable, which can also be named as an 8P8C or modular plug. A standard RJ45 connector is generally enough for daily use, but if you need a high-performance patch cord in the field, a field termination plug must be your prior option. We have already talked about the basic information of RJ45 connectors and in this article, we’ll unravel the mystery of toolless RJ45 connectors.

Toolless RJ45 Connector

A toolless RJ45 connector or field termination plug is a special type of Ethernet connector. As the name means, the toolless RJ45 connector doesn’t require an RJ45 crimping tool. Toolless RJ45 connectors can also be divided into different types. For example, there are Cat6 toolless connectors, Cat6a toolless connectors, Cat7 toolless connectors, and Cat8 toolless connectors. You can choose the most suitable one according to your need.

Toolless RJ45 connectors can also be divided into shielded or unshielded types and they usually feature different materials and constructions.

Take an unshielded toolless Cat6 connector as an example, it is mainly composed of the following parts: PC board, load bar, and boot.

PC board: It can also be named as a printed circuit board, which is an important electronic component. PC board plays an important role in connecting reed and contact pins.

Load bar: For convenience, the load bar is often printed with T568A or T568B wiring standard and you can easily wire the Ethernet cable according to the line sequence.

Boot: The boot acts as a protective case to avoid network signal interruption. In addition, it helps prevent the RJ45 connector from falling off. The boot also helps tighten and fix cable wires, ensuring stable network data transmission.

Selecting the Best Toolless RJ45 Connectors

Toolless RJ45 connectors or field termination plugs can be seldom seen on the market, and I guess many of you find it hard to select the best one for your network installation. Here are some tips for you to choose the best toolless RJ45 connectors.

Firstly, identify your need.

You should make sure what categories of Ethernet cable you’re going to install and choose the corresponding toolless RJ45 connectors. Cat6 field termination plug and Cat6a toolless connectors are very common on the market and you can choose one according to the AWG of your Ethernet cable. Toolless RJ45 connectors are backward compatible with lower-rated category Ethernet. For instance, Cat6a tool-free connectors are backward compatible with Cat6 Ethernet cables. You may also choose a shielded or unshielded one according to the type of your Ethernet cables.

Next, choose the best quality toolless RJ45 connector.

A high-quality RJ45 connector offers durability and easy operation. So, do you know how to find the quality toolless RJ45 connector? The housing of a quality toolless RJ45 connector is often made of a transparent PC that is resistant to high impact and temperature. Shielded RJ45 connectors feature zinc alloy nickel plating shielding.

One of the most important parts of toolless RJ45 connectors is 8 contact pins, which can affect the performance of data transmission. A great field termination plug features 8 contact pins made of phosphor bronze plated with nickel, which are not easy to blacken and oxidize. In addition, contact pins should be plated with gold to avoid data loss and corrosion. Some poor contact pins are made of solid copper and they are prone to oxidize because of long-time exposure to air.

There are also two-prong contacts and three-prong contacts. Two-prong contacts can fit close to the cable wire and offer a stable data transmission.

Finally, compare deals.

Shop around different suppliers and you will ultimately know what you want.  

If you want to find a field termination plug for your unshielded Ethernet cable, shielded toolless RJ45 connectors can be very expensive and we have the best solution for you. Take a look at our unshielded field termination plug.

Applications

Some people may be confused about where to use toolless RJ45 connectors. In fact, they can be used for many different scenarios. For example, toolless RJ45 connectors are designed for quick connection in the field. And they can also be used in frequently moved cabling.

How to: Terminate a Toolless Cat6 Connector?

Terminating a toolless RJ45 connector can be a bit easy. Take the unshielded toolless Cat6 connector as an example, just follow the next steps for a perfect Cat6 patch cable.

Step 1: Please prepare the following things: Ethernet cable, wire cutter, wire stripper, RJ45 tester, and toolless RJ45 connector.

Step 2: Put the Ethernet cable into the boot of the RJ45 connector. Then, use the wire stripper to strip the cable and arrange and straighten 8 wires.

Step 3: Insert the wires into the slot of the load bar according to the line sequence and use the wire cutter to cut off excess wires. T568A and T568B wiring standards are printed on the load bar and you can choose one standard according to your own need. In general, the T568B pinout is more recommended for you.

Step 4: Press and snap the load bar so that it can make a contact with the contact pins. But if you have no finger strength, a mini wire crimper is recommended for you to press it.

Step 5: All is finished and use the RJ45 tester to check if the Ethernet cable can work well.

For more information on this topic, you can keep up on our blogs. While VCELINK offers general and basic information for our customers and other visitors to the website, it’s not professional advice.