Select the Correct Simply45 RJ45 modular plugs

Simply45 manufactures several different RJ45 modular plugs in our Pass Through RJ45 Series.  As such, we receive many questions regarding RJ45 modular plug selection.  Some of these questions include:

- What is the difference between each plug?
- How do I know which plug to use?
- Are the plugs rated to a specific cable performance?

To start with, it is important to understand that a pass through RJ45 modular plug is not performance specific. The LAN cable itself determines the performance capability, not the pass through RJ45 modular plug.

Selecting the right Simply45 Pass Through RJ45 modular plug for your LAN cable depends on two things:

(1) Diameter of the wire conductors, and

(2) Diameter of the LAN cable itself. 

LAN or Category cables are identified by specific industry performance standards set by ANSI/TIA and ISO/IEC.  Cables classified as Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a all have different performance standards that these cables must meet.  Cable manufacturers have slight construction variations in meeting these performance standards.  These differences may include:

1. Copper conductor diameter size,
2. Wire insulation material and thickness,
3. Cable jacket material and thickness, and
4. Size of the pair separator/center spline found in most Cat6 and Cat6a UTP cables.

These cable brand manufacturing differences must be accounted for by RJ45 manufacturers so that their pass through RJ45 modular plugs properly fit the various sizes and types of LAN cables.

Wire Conductor Sizes

With pass through RJ45 modular plugs it is important for the separated wire pairs to pass through the plug with some friction or resistance.  The slight wire tension when pushed through the wire guide on the front of the plug is important as it helps to securely hold the wires for better wire trims and pin sets.  This tension prevents the wires from moving during the wire trim and pin set termination process. 

Cable Diameter Sizes

Next, it is important to match the plug cable entrance (rear/back of plug) to the cable overall diameter. The cable must be securely inserted into the back of the plug. 

1. The inserted cable must not be too loose, otherwise when the plug is crimped it will not hold the plug securely to the cable.
2. If the plug cable entrance is too small, the cable will not insert into the plug.
3. The inserted cable must not be extremely tight to cause extreme pinching or deformation of the cable. This extreme pinching can deform the wire pair lay-lengths and pair twists resulting in increased NEXT loss and FEXT loss, resulting in lower cable performance.

Multiple Plug Sizes Required

To accommodate the various LAN cable construction differences the pass through RJ45 needs to come in a variety of sizes as well.  Simply45 tested numerous cable types and cable brands in order to develop the necessary sizes for our pass through RJ45 series.  This process re-engineered the pass through RJ45 to include higher quality materials and internal design changes resulting in improved performance and ease of use.

Multiple Plug Sizes Required

To accommodate the various LAN cable construction differences the pass through RJ45 needs to come in a variety of sizes as well.  Simply45 tested numerous cable types and cable brands in order to develop the necessary sizes for our pass through RJ45 series.  This process re-engineered the pass through RJ45 to include higher quality materials and internal design changes resulting in improved performance and ease of use.

Simply45 Pass Through RJ45 Modular Plug Series

Simply45 makes it very easy to select the right pass through RJ45 by referencing the plugs to the LAN cable typically used for each plug.  Then we color coded the plugs and matching packaging to make all of our plugs easier to work with.

Part: S45-1500 (Simply45-Cat5e).  This RJ45 is typically used for most Cat5e UTP (unshielded) 24 AWG solid cable.  It can also be used for other unshielded cables such as Cat5e Stranded, Cat6 Stranded, and Cat6a Stranded. 

Part: S45-1550 (Simply45-Cat5e-Sh).  This RJ45 is typically used for most Cat5e STP (shielded) 24 AWG solid cable.  This plug as an internal ground design.  It can also be used for other shielded cables such as:  Cat5e stranded, Cat6 stranded, and Cat6a stranded.

Part: S45-1600 (Simply45-Cat6).  This RJ45 is typically used for most Cat6 UTP (unshielded) 23 AWG solid cable.  It can also be used for other unshielded cables such as: larger diameter Cat5e.

Part: S45-1700 (Simply45-Cat6a).  This RJ45 is typically used for larger diameter unshielded Cat6 UTP 23 AWG solid and Cat6a UTP 23 AWG solid cable.  This plug features:

1. Uses a Hi/Lo wire alignment to accommodate thicker wire conductors.
2. Larger cable entrance to accommodate larger OD (overall diameter) Cat6/6a cables. Some Cat6 cables may have a larger pair separator/center spline and this plug model may work better for those cables than our S45-1600. 

More Solutions Coming Soon

Simply45 has filed for patent protections on several of our proprietary features included on the above plug series.  Additionally, we will be coming out very soon with our Simply45 Pro Series, Cat6 Shielded, and 10G Shielded (Cat6a/Cat7a) pass through RJ45 modular plugs.  Patents have recently been filed and production is now underway.  We expect to have these items ready for market during 4^th Quarter 2019 or early 1^St Quarter 2020.  

Download : Simply45 Technical Bulletin 19-001