How To: Terminate an Unshielded Toolless Keystone Jack

In the world of Ethernet, there are many ways of getting from point A to point B. One of the best ways to achieve a clean and professional-looking install is to run a solid copper structure Ethernet cable in a permanent link configuration.
How do you do that? Well, you will definitely need an Ethernet keystone jack to pull it off! The other end of the permanent link will be yet another keystone jack or a patch panel.
For more information on this topic, check out our blog: www.truecable....
If you found this video helpful let us know in the comments and subscribe for more!
Video Time Codes:
[0:18-1:23] - Keystone Jack Breakdown
[1:23-3:34] - Stripping Cable & Removing Spline
[3:34-9:10] - Properly Aligning Conductors in the Keystone Jack Cap
[9:10-9:28] - Flush Cutting Conductors
[9:28-11:18] - Connecting Cap to Keystone Jack
[11:18-12:33] - Zip-Tie Cable
trueCABLE Products Featured in this Video:
Cat6 Toolless Keystone Jack Unshielded: www.truecable....
Cat6 Plenum Unshielded: www.truecable....
Cutting & Stripping Tool: www.truecable....
Flush Cutter: www.truecable....
trueCLOSE Parallel Crimping Pliers: www.truecable....
All trueCABLE Products: www.truecable....
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[@kev5001]

COMPREHENSIVE BUT STRAIGHT TO THE POINT, THANK YOU SIR VERY WELL DONE!

[@trueCABLE]

Thanks for the compliment Kev! We are happy we could help!

[@mrrross]

Thank you for the thorough and detailed video. I found it helpful and appreciated that you took the time to document the process.

[@trueCABLE]

Thanks for the kudos! Please subscribe to our channel if you have not already. We are always putting out blogs and videos to address common questions and concerns.

[@TechG33k-j2g]

What purpose does the zip tie serve?

[@trueCABLE]

Hello! This is to secure the cable to the strain relief bar found at the rear of the keystone jack.

[@dc-wp8oc]

Great explanation. Wish there were close-ups of the connector and conductors at points throughout the process. So does this connector terminate into the back of the wall plate?

[@trueCABLE]

Hello DC. Yes, this is a tool-less keystone jack that snaps in the back of a wall plate or in a tool-less patch keystone patch panel. This video is part of a larger and more detailed blog. There are close-up photos and detailed information found in the blog that is not found in the video. You may wish to visit our website and the associated blog in our Cable Academy. We use YT to host the video portion of our blogs, but the full experience is with the combination of the two.

[@sizumi5466]

detail video. Great!!!

[@trueCABLE]

Thank you!

[@tuercacaso]

Question: We were re-routing an ethernet cable from one floor to another (it was a success) but when reattaching the connector, I'm noticing something that varies from something you mention in your video (around the 8:41 mark) about an air gap and distance from the last twist. The connector that the original installer used (I can't find a name for it) resembles the one you are using in that you run the untwisted ends through a tiny slot that cuts into the insulation slightly. I just did it the way I saw it before detaching it (took a photo for surety, though I've done other "regular" RJ 45 connectors) and all the wire pairs were pretty "untwisted"... beyond that 1/2" that you were mentioning as spec. I noticed some difference in what I expected to see for data speed (about 100 Mbps less) though the throughput is still quite good. It may be this distance from where the wires are untwisted? As I said, I simply set up the wires exactly the way they had them connected originally. I'm wondering now if I take it back apart and close those air gaps... Hmmm... Anyhow, thanks for the video, very helpful.

[@trueCABLE]

Hello! Thanks for your question. You are likely OK. The reason I say that is a 100 Mb/s dip in throughput is likely just your ISP/Internet in general being a bit slower than expected. If you think something is truly wrong, try your speed tests a couple of times per day at various hours to get a real gauge of where your speed is at. Also, try using multiple speed test services too. If, after a day or so you are still experiencing slower speeds, then you can try re-terminating to see if that makes a difference!

[@Richardsumilang]

Is the conductor cap the same for the 6 and 6a model? And what's the best way to remove a jack?

[@trueCABLE]

Hello Richard! Yes, the conductor holder cap is the same between the two jacks. As for "removing" a keystone are you referring to disconnecting a keystone from a tool-less patch panel or wall plate?

[@Richardsumilang]

@@trueCABLE removing keystone from cable. I accidentally installed a 6 Jack where I want a 6a lol

[@trueCABLE]

@@Richardsumilang We have a blog that contains the procedure! www.truecable.com/blogs/cable-academy/how-to-reterminate-an-idc-connector

[@FishingArgyll]

So you need a tool to close the toolless jack? Really?

[@trueCABLE]

Hello and thanks for your comment. Sometimes a tool like channel locks (parallel closing pliers in general) are very helpful as many people don't have the hand strength to close the lid. That said, some people do. Tool-less in this context means a 110 punch tool is not required to terminate the jack. Hope this helps!

[@kev5001]

Good point @Carlito, we use channel lock pliers which are multipurpose...

[@sylviam6535]

2.5” is too much stripping.

[@trueCABLE]

Hello, and thanks for your comment! We all have our personal preferences. Some strip more. Some strip a bit less.

[@sylviam6535]

@@trueCABLE - I’ve been doing some wall socket repairs lately, so I need to be conservative as that wall cable gets shorter with every cut.

[@trueCABLE]

@@sylviam6535 Hello Sylvia! Indeed, when pulling Ethernet to your wall outlets, you want 1 to 2 feet slack that can be coiled and stuffed behind the wall jack. The reason is just as you said, to be sure you have enough for adds/changes!

[@sylviam6535]

@@trueCABLE - The cable was installed years ago. There is about 10 inches of extra cable, after which I need to climb into the roof and replace the cable.

[@trueCABLE]

@@sylviam6535 Hello Sylvia. Yeah, in your case I would limit stripping to 2" maximum. You don't have much slack left. I have been there!

[@mikedearman9630]

The title of this video, and the name of the jack, is 'Toolless'. Clearly, at best, this is a misnomer, at worst, it's just plain 'ol false advertising as it clearly takes 'multiple' tools to deal with this jack. Add to that, that this video is over 13min long. Now, I don't know about anyone else, but I'd go broke taking 13min to terminate a single end of a Cat-X cable, and God forbid it be on the patch panel side. Near 2000 views & 9mos at the time of this comment, and nobody has commented on how ridiculous this video is relative to a plain 'ol 110 punch down jack? What is the value add to this (cuz it certainly isn't price nor time)? Sorry, giving this product a thumbs down, and thumbs up for the video saving me the money.

[@trueCABLE]

Thanks for watching our video. Yes, it is long and that is on purpose. This keystone jack can be terminated very quickly, but I intentionally went slowly so DIY installers who have not done it before can easily follow along. When it comes to "tool less" -- this means is a 110 punch down tool is not required. That said, of course some tools will be required for cable preparation like with any other termination regardless of hardware. We appreciate your feedback!