Overview
This lecture covers Ethernet wiring standards, focusing on T568A and T568B color schemes, their importance, differences, and practical tips for installation and troubleshooting.
Ethernet Wiring Standards
- Ethernet wiring follows international and national standards for consistency across countries and buildings.
- The ISOC181 document defines global networking classes; the ANSI/TIA 568 standard is used in the US for commercial buildings.
- T568A and T568B are two color-coded wiring schemes defined in these standards for Ethernet cables.
T568A vs. T568B Color Schemes
- Both T568A and T568B use the same RJ45 connector but arrange wire colors differently.
- Most US installations use T568B, and organizations typically stick to one standard for consistency.
- Never mix T568A on one cable end with T568B on the other, especially on a gigabit network.
- Pins 4, 5 (blue, white/blue) and 7, 8 (brown, white/brown) are the same for both schemes.
- Main differences are in pins 1, 2 (white/green, green vs. white/orange, orange) and pins 3, 6 (white/orange, orange vs. white/green, green).
Practical Tips for Installation
- Identify the color scheme used by examining the wire order in the connector.
- Insert wires into the RJ45 connector, verify the order, and adjust as necessary before crimping.
- Many jacks and keystone connectors display both T568A and T568B color codes to assist with wiring.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Ethernet — A network technology for wired local area networking.
- RJ45 — The standard connector used for Ethernet cabling.
- T568A/T568B — Color-coded wiring schemes for Ethernet cables.
- Crimping — Securing wires into a connector.
- Keystone jack — Modular jack for network cabling.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice identifying T568A and T568B wiring on Ethernet cables.
- Review the pinout/color order for both schemes.
- Prepare to crimp or punch down cables using the correct standard.