Punching Down a Cat5e Keystone Jack

You must have seen a Cat5e Keystone Jack, but do you know how to punch down this keystone jack? If no, then you must understand that wiring the keystone jack on your own can save your money and even can free you from the hassle that will be there while installing it. However, the question is, how will you do it? Go through this guide to know which tool will be required and what steps should be followed for punching down the keystone jack.

Right Tools Needed for The Job

Before you begin the process of punching down, you will need the following tools:

• Bulk Cat5E Patch Cable

• Keystone Jack Punch Down Stand

• Wire Stripper

• 110-Type Cat5E Keystone Jacks

• Punchdown Tool with 110 Blade

If you don’t have the wire stripper, then pair the electrician's scissors. Once you have all the tools ready with you, then you can make sure that you are following each instruction correctly for punching down the cat5e keystone jack.

1. Strip the Jacket

You have to position the wire stripper correctly on the cable and make sure while adjusting the stripper; it scores the jacket. Scratching the twisted cable will be prevented from it, and removing the jacket becomes much easier. You need to extra caution while stripping off the length of the jacket to approximately one inch from the end.  Before you begin the next step, you must check all wires for ensuring that they are not damaged as the damaged wire will break the connection.

2. Straighten the Pairs and then Untwist them

You have to untwist and then straighten each pair of wires, so now eight separate wires have been exposed.

3. Check the Diagram

You will see T568A and T568B color codes that are illustrated on the keystone jack. Both these color codes are similar; however, the T568B color code combination is mostly used one. The keystone jack is generally made from blades that are devised for the solid cable. You need to lay all the wires out then separately and then can align those wires with accurate color-coded blades. After you have laid out all the wires, then your keystone jack should match with the color code combination that is there on the wiring diagram.

4. Punching Down the Wires

Before using the punch tool for pushing down the cables, you have to check how the tool is positioned with the cutting blade, be it on the inside or outside. If the punch tool is positioned on the inside, then it will cut off the wires from the inside, and then the wire will fail to reach the blades of the jack. Place your keystone jack on the keystone jack punch down stand and if you don’t have the stand place it on a flat surface. Now you need to position the punch down tool over the first wire and then push it down firmly so that you can hear the pop-like sound which confirms the wire is cut down. You have to continue this step for each wire. By trimming the jacket by one inch, you are making sure that jacket is close to the jack.

5. Cover the Jack

You need to cover up the jack if it has the dust cover and thus the process of punching down the cat5e keystone jack is complete.