F^*#in' Ethernet Cable!

[GO-NAD!]

So, I finally got around to terminating the Cat5e cable that I had run through the basement ceiling and wall, to connect the BD85 to the router. Wouldn't you know it - can't get a signal. Nadda. I changed the plug and jack at each end a couple of times. Square root of sweet F.A.

I thought I was careful when I installed the wire, before putting up the wallboard. Perhaps not careful enough.

Problem is, it's an older house and the ceiling/floor joists are only 8", so I didn't want to cut into them and run conduit. There's no way I'm going to be able to fish another piece of wire through now.

The only saving grace is that I haven't installed the baseboard molding yet, so I can run another wire behind that. Sometimes, it pays to procrastinate. So, I made up another cable, ran it beside the wall and connected the BDP. Works perfectly.

I suppose the lesson here is to check wire for continuity before covering it up - especially wire that is as fragile as Cat5e. I should know better than to ignore Murphy's law. I'll probably remove the connectors from the dead wire and check continuity with my multimeter before I write it off completely, just to be sure. I assembled a couple more ethernet cables that worked perfectly, so I just can't believe that having tried several plugs and a couple of jacks, that it's my assembly that's at fault. We'll see...

 

[highfigh]

So, I finally got around to terminating the Cat5e cable that I had run through the basement ceiling and wall, to connect the BD85 to the router. Wouldn't you know it - can't get a signal. Nadda. I changed the plug and jack at each end a couple of times. Square root of sweet F.A.

I thought I was careful when I installed the wire, before putting up the wallboard. Perhaps not careful enough.

Problem is, it's an older house and the ceiling/floor joists are only 8", so I didn't want to cut into them and run conduit. There's no way I'm going to be able to fish another piece of wire through now.

The only saving grace is that I haven't installed the baseboard molding yet, so I can run another wire behind that. Sometimes, it pays to procrastinate. So, I made up another cable, ran it beside the wall and connected the BDP. Works perfectly.

I suppose the lesson here is to check wire for continuity before covering it up - especially wire that is as fragile as Cat5e. I should know better than to ignore Murphy's law. I'll probably remove the connectors from the dead wire and check continuity with my multimeter before I write it off completely, just to be sure. I assembled a couple more ethernet cables that worked perfectly, so I just can't believe that having tried several plugs and a couple of jacks, that it's my assembly that's at fault. We'll see...

Did you have to pull hard on it when you fed it to that room? Does it have to cross metal at a sharp angle, like heating ducts, an I-beam, etc? Maybe you could check continuity and if pair 1 (blue) is bad, use pair 2 (orange) as pair 1 and pair 3 (green) as pair two. You only need two pairs for ethernet, anyway.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Did you have to pull hard on it when you fed it to that room? Does it have to cross metal at a sharp angle, like heating ducts, an I-beam, etc? Maybe you could check continuity and if pair 1 (blue) is bad, use pair 2 (orange) as pair 1 and pair 3 (green) as pair two. You only need two pairs for ethernet, anyway.

If you didn't test the crimps - it's very easy to f it up. I'd just try to re-crimp the cable on both sides. Be very methodical and careful this time

 

[GO-NAD!]

Did you have to pull hard on it when you fed it to that room? Does it have to cross metal at a sharp angle, like heating ducts, an I-beam, etc? Maybe you could check continuity and if pair 1 (blue) is bad, use pair 2 (orange) as pair 1 and pair 3 (green) as pair two. You only need two pairs for ethernet, anyway.

That's the thing - I didn't have to pull hard at all. I had torn down all the old wallboard from the ceiling and walls, so I had open space to run the cable. I didn't really have to put tension on the cable at all. No ductwork or other metal objects.....actually that does raise another possibilty. While putting up the new wallboard, a drywall screw could have possibly pierced the sheathing. If the cable is damaged, I guess what caused it is purely academic now. I'll see what's going on when I check the continuity.

Thanks for the tip about just 2 pairs being required for ethernet - I didn't know that before. Or, if I did know before, I'd long forgotten.

 

[GO-NAD!]

If you didn't test the crimps - it's very easy to f it up. I'd just try to re-crimp the cable on both sides. Be very methodical and careful this time

I found out how easy it is to screw up the crimps with my first couple of tries. However, once I mastered it, I'm pretty confident in my crimping. So, I'm fairly certain that I pooched the cable somehow. Of course, I don't have an ethernet cable tester, so I can't make that statement with absolute certainty. I'll report back later, after I check the cable continuity.

 

[jinjuku]

I found out how easy it is to screw up the crimps with my first couple of tries. However, once I mastered it, I'm pretty confident in my crimping. So, I'm fairly certain that I pooched the cable somehow. Of course, I don't have an ethernet cable tester, so I can't make that statement with absolute certainty. I'll report back later, after I check the cable continuity.

Do you have a multi-meter?

 

[GO-NAD!]

Do you have a multi-meter?

Yup.

I was going to be sarcastic and say that I was just going to stick a couple of strands into a wall outlet and grasp the other ends with wet fingers...but I won't, because I'm too nice for that...

I suppose you want me to do that now, don't you.

 

[Hi Ho]

I've been through all of this. I know your pain. What kind of connectors are you using? I find the ones that allow you to push the wire all the way through are easiest to get right. I have also had very good luck with the tool-less keystone jacks from Monoprice.

Also, for future reference it is good practice to put nail plates anywhere that wires are less than 1 1/4" from the edge of the stud.

 

[GO-NAD!]

I've been through all of this. I know your pain. What kind of connectors are you using? I find the ones that allow you to push the wire all the way through are easiest to get right. I have also had very good luck with the tool-less keystone jacks from Monoprice.

Also, for future reference it is good practice to put nail plates anywhere that wires are less than 1 1/4" from the edge of the stud.

That's the jack I'm using.

I'm using these RJ-45 plugs:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051305&p_id=7245&seq=1&format=2

They worked fine on a couple of cables that I made up, after a couple of shagged up tries.

Yeah, I used nail plates on my studing. If I did pierce the wire with a drywall screw, it would've been in the ceiling. I never put any plates on the strapping - didn't think I'd need to.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I have also had very good luck with the tool-less keystone jacks from Monoprice.

These are nice, a bit expensive but nice

 

[GO-NAD!]

These are nice, a bit expensive but nice

If I needed a hockey sock full, yeah they might be a bit pricey. But, for the couple that I need, it's no biggie.

 

[majorloser]

I use they guys. Check out their sale items for some great buys.

http://www.computercablestore.com/

I recently ran Cat6 throughout my house. A little bit different in the termination, but not bad. It's a tough lesson to learn, but you ALWAYS test your terminations. Many a contractor has gotten burned by not testing.

Oh, and buy a good punch down tool. It's worth the extra money.