Terminating a network wall socket
All of the wires in a network installation terminate at one end in a distribution cabinet and at the other end at wall sockets throughout he building. When terminating at a wall socket a good rule of thumb is to leave a couple of extra metres of Category 5 cable. This will enable you to move the socket slightly if required at a later date without having to re-lay the cable. (Clients can change their minds and often do). Excess cable can usually be coiled up in a ceiling space such as above a false ceiling in an office.

Whenever you lay a network cable you should label it at both ends with an identifying number. This number will be the corresponding number in the patch panel and then also written on the socket in the room.

Tools needed Metal cavity wall back box Plastic cavity wall back box Surface mounted back box
Tools needed Metal cavity wall back box Plastic cavity wall back box Surface mounted back box
RJ45 sockets, pattress, back mounting boxes, Cat5e cable (note the use of low smoke purple cable), scissors, pliers, punch-down tool, trunking The type of back box used will be determined by the wall construction. Metal boxes are usually hidden in the thickness of plaster This design of plastic back box gives a flush finish in a cavity wall construction This exercise will focus on the use of surface mounted cabling which is usually acceptable in office installations or schools
Remove cable break-out Remove cable break-out Drill the trunking Mark out holes in wall
Remove cable break-out Remove cable break-out Drill the trunking Mark out holes in wall
Remove the cable breakouts where appropriate Taking care not to shatter the back box, ensure that there are no sharp edges Although a lot of small section trunking has double sided tape, trunking should always be held up with screws Mark out the holes in wall to correspond to the holes in the trunking and fix with wall plugs
Mounting the back box Running the cables Pull through second wire Cut the sheath
Mounting the back box Running the cables Pull through second wire Cut the sheath
Drill the wall and fix the back box. Take care if using a power screw driver not to shatter the back box. If only one cable is required, pull the cable and clip down the front of the trunking before proceeding. Note the number written on the cable. If two cables are required, pull through both cables and clip down the front of the trunking before proceeding. Take care not to cut the thin wires inside the sheath.

Discard the sheath

Cut the string

Inspect the RJ 45 socket

Separate the thin wires
Discard the sheath Cut the string Inspect the RJ 45 socket Separate the thin wires
Discard the unwanted piece of cable sheath. Cut the small piece of string that runs inside the cable. The design RJ45 sockets varies according to the brand. Inspect the design of the socket. Separate the pairs of wires then separate each pair into the order indicated by the design of the socket.
Lay out the wires Punch down tool Use the punch-down tool Use the punch-down tool
Lay out the wires Punch down tool Use the punch-down tool Use the punch-down tool
Make sure that you follow the colour code shown on the back of the RJ 45 socket. The punch down tool simultaneously terminates the wire and cuts off the excess. Punch down each wire in turn. Rest your hand against the wall whilst working. Ensure that you follow the correct colour coding. Make sure that you have the punch down tool the correct way round with the scissor section facing outwards.
Use the punch-down tool Inspect termination Use a cable tie Use a cable tie
Use the punch-down tool Inspect termination Use a cable tie Use a cable tie
Continue using the punch down tool on the other side of the socket. Visually inspect the termination making sure that all wires are fully pressed home. Use a cable tie to firmly attach cable to the back of the socket. Ensure that the cable tie is around the sheath of the cable.
Trim cable tie Cable is securely tied Terminate both sockets Clip sockets into pattress
Trim cable tie Cable is securely tied Terminate both sockets Clip sockets into pattress
Using a pair of scissors, trim the excess cable tie away. Make sure that there is a strong physical connection that will not lead to the connection being lost. If you are installing a double socket then repeat the entire process for the second cable. Draw some cable back up the trunking if necessary to ensure that there is sufficient cable without being to much.
Clip sockets into pattress Clip sockets into pattress Screw pattress to back box Finished socket
Clip sockets into pattress Clip sockets into pattress Screw pattress to back box Finished socket
Make sure that the sockets are both the same way up. Carefully snap the sockets into the pattress. Screw the pattress to the back box using the set screws provided. Test the socket using a cable tester and a known good patch lead. Write the numbers of the cables on the sockets or use a sticker.

Trevor Blunn - Director of IT - Princethorpe College