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Ethernet & Modular FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Ethernet and Modular Products

How do you buy the right modular plug?

There are two important characteristics to keep in mind when selecting the proper plug. First, do the wires utilize solid or stranded conductors? Plugs for solid conductor cabling use contacts that straddle the wire. Plugs for stranded conductor cable use plugs that pierce the wire. Next, the outer dimensions of the cable jacket must be known for proper fit. The following definitions are sometimes useful:

SOLID vs STRANDED WIRES: Cable utilizing SOLID wiring is commonly used for permanent premise wiring runs inside walls and ceilings. It is less flexible and cheaper than stranded cable therefore lending itself to areas where it won’t be flexed. STRANDED cable is more flexible and is commonly used in patch cords where flexibility is important. SOLID bulk cable is usually sold in pull out boxes whereas STRANDED bulk cable is usually sold in reels or spools.

FLAT vs ROUND CABLING: Modular cable can come with either a FLAT or ROUND jacket over the wires. The plug should have the appropriate entry so that it makes a snug fit with the cable jacket.

SHIELDED vs UNSHIELDED CABLING: If shielded cabling is used, shielded plugs are most likely needed.

Can Cat 5E cabling be used in Gigabit Ethernet Applications?

Cat 5E is the minimum one would use for Gigabit Ethernet Applications. However, Category 6 cabling is optimal because Cat 6 has additional headroom which is intended to provide quality transmission at higher rates required by today’s emerging applications. In addition, the new Category 6A cables are designed to handle up to 10 gigabits per second at frequencies up to 500 MHz.

How are your TRD855SIG-15 cables wired? Are they crossover?

1) Our TRD855SIG-15 is wired per the EIA/TIA 568B wiring standard which is common for most LAN environments using Cat 5E Cables.  2) L-Com also carries Cat 5E Crossover Cables which were common back in the days of Shared Repeaters running Shared 10MB Ethernet. For example, our TRD855XCR-15 is wired in a crossover fashion.

I need to know what the max material thickness your TDG1026KC6 couplers can fit in to.

The max recommended panel thickness for this coupler is .06".

What is the difference between a shielded and unshielded modular coupler?

A Shielded Coupler is encased in a metal structure allowing it to ground to a metal wall plate or panel; an Unshielded Coupler is not.

A shielded coupler would be required when using a shielded cable terminated with a shielded plug. The shielded plug would tie the shield to the coupler, thus grounding it as well as passing it on to the shielded cable assembly plugged into the other side of the coupler. Because of this, a shielded coupler is only required if you are using shielded cable assemblies.

If the cable assemblies you are using do not have shielded plugs then you do not need a shielded coupler.

What kinds of cables work in HDBaseT applications?

L-com offers a complete line of Cat5e and Cat6 Ethernet cables to address HDBaseT applications. Our HDBaseT cable assemblies include unshielded as well as shielded Ethernet cables for any HDBaseT application. In addition to our standard inline HDBaseT cables we offer right angle HDBaseT cables for those hard to get to applications. These cables are also available in shielded or unshielded versions.

What type of keystone wall mounting styles are there?

Typically, there are two styles of keystone wall mounting styles that are popular: Keystone Flush Mount and Keystone Non-Flush Mount. Please see this keystone style mounting diagram for a picture of both.

What are the types of shielded cabling?

What are the M12 adapter configuration options?

How do isolators work?

Isolators place a physical barrier between your computer or other device and the network cables that are attached to it. Only data can travel across this barrier through the coupling of magnetic fields. Hazardous voltages and ground potential differences are blocked. Surge suppressors don’t electrically separate the connected equipment - they use special components to limit the energy that can travel through a data connection. Isolators eliminate the wire connections that surge suppressors don’t.

How do you use L-com’s right angle Cat5E coupler?

Which patch cords are best for a 10/100 Ethernet network?

How do you attach a field installable harsh environment plug?

How do you install a keystone style connector into a wall plate?

How do you install an L-com Information Outlet System?

How do you wire a surface mount box?

How do you install a premium ECF coupler kit?

What is the difference between straight-thru and cross pinning?

How do you panel mount a keystone style connector?

What is the difference between Category 5E and Category 6 100 Ohm UTP?

What is the difference between different flammability ratings?

What is the difference between stranded and solid contact design?

How do you assemble a TDS8PC series modular plug?

What is Primary and Secondary strain relief?

How does a 110 IDC contact work?

What are the application differences between crossed and straight pinned modular cables and adapters?

Typically cross pinned products are used for Telephony, and straight pinned products are used primarily in Data applications.

What kind of shield do RS series adapters use?

Built into the gray plastic case assembly is an inner formed metal shield. This provides 100% EMI/RFI protection when used with fully shielded modular plugs.

Is there a standard pinout for a d-sub to modular adapter?

No. There is no encompassing standard that applies to a modular/d-sub adapter. Pinning is typically application specific.

What is the maximum recommended panel thickness for mounting keystone jacks and adapters?

The maximum recommended panel thickness is .062".