How do you terminate network cabling

[cardosocea]

Hello,

I inherited a project where the "designer" decided to run cat6 (perhaps 7?) network cable all the way to the switch inside a Rittal paneland for termination use one of these.

If you look at the PDF, the blue boot makes the connector far thicker than a normal RJ45 and when trying to plug them on the Stratix switch the two outer ports go in at an angle instead of straight to the point that the connection doesn't work in some ports.
Additionally, because the cable is so thick and lack of space, the bend radius of the cable puts yet more pressure in the cables.

Remaking the ends with a different plug is a solution, but the problem is that I don't have much slack in the network cables to begin with, so in some cases I'll have to move over the connections and may not have space to do so.

This is bound to give me grief moving forward and as such I've decided to look at what would be my options to make the best out of a **** design.

One option I've been toying with is to replace the gland in the bottom of the panel with an Ethernet connector that will then be an RJ45 plug inside the panel that I can simply run a simple patch to.

What other options would you think would be useful and what hardware as well?

 

[JohnCalderwood]

I suppose it depends on the spec of the cable CAT6 or 7...

We use the following connectors for CAT6 :
https://uk.farnell.com/stewart-connector/ss-39200-027/connector-rj45-plug-8p8c-crimp/dp/2890974
which work well with our cable.
You can also buy right-angled connectors where space makes it difficult - we did look at them and bought some, but never used them - they were for Rockwell Flex I/O ethernet adapters, but we got round the space issue by opening the trunking.
We do have a wide bending radius on our cable, but our panels are deep enough for the stratix switch and the cables.

Using a socket for cable termination is one way, depending on how many cables you are dealing with - your post suggests only one in the panel?

 

[BryanG]

Cut the cable and then use something like this:

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/interface-modules/8028015/


Don't cut the cable just wrap up the excess and use something like this:

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/rj-patch-panel-modules-accessories/1302311/


At least if it is inside the enclosure you don't have to worry about IP ratings and plugs getting 'accidentally' disconnected.

 

[cardosocea]

I have 2 and 3 eight port switches in each panel. That's a total of 24 possible cables.

The switch location is in the top right of the cabinet which makes the bending radius tricky to sort.

The IP ratings isn't really an issue as there are really only two panels that are within reach of the operators. All of them are inside doors, so it's not that big of a deal for weatherproofing.

 

[JohnCalderwood]

No room in the panel to chuck in one of these?

https://www.network-cabs.co.uk/acatalog/CAT-6-24-Port-Patch-Panel-PNL24ABCAT6.html#SID=28||

 

[BachPhi]

No room in the panel to chuck in one of these?

https://www.network-cabs.co.uk/acatalog/CAT-6-24-Port-Patch-Panel-PNL24ABCAT6.html#SID=28||

got my vote

 

[JesperMP]

We use similar connectors for Profinet (ethernet). They are for CAT5E (i.e. 4 wires, not 8).
Importantly we also connect the shield to ground in a dedicated shield terminal.

Some people like to futureproof by installing CAT6, but I dont see the need as long as you are in a local machines network. For connecting upwards into a company LAN, maybe CAT6 could be worth it, otherwise not.

 

[TWS]

use these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58yWp-rcIy8.

 

[Helliana]

I use these if its just one or two cables:
https://www.panduit.com/content/dam/panduit/en/products/media/6/26/026/8026/77308026.pdf




or these if its several:
http://www.panduit.com/heiler/SpecificationSheets/D-FBSP63--WW-ENG-IndNetDINRailMount-W.pdf




I prefer to use female ends and then use patch cables to go to the end device.

 

[cardosocea]

No room in the panel to chuck in one of these?

https://www.network-cabs.co.uk/acatalog/CAT-6-24-Port-Patch-Panel-PNL24ABCAT6.html#SID=28||

Sadly no... it's all assembled on a normal Rittal panel.

I quite like the idea of a din connector that I could then route over with a patch. I may look a bit more for that option or if there's one of these with DIN rail mount.

 

[Phil Buchanan]

Hello,

I inherited a project where the "designer" decided to run cat6 (perhaps 7?) network cable all the way to the switch inside a Rittal panel and for termination use one of these.

If you look at the PDF, the blue boot makes the connector far thicker than a normal RJ45 and when trying to plug them on the Stratix switch the two outer ports go in at an angle instead of straight to the point that the connection doesn't work in some ports.
Additionally, because the cable is so thick and lack of space, the bend radius of the cable puts yet more pressure in the cables.

Remaking the ends with a different plug is a solution, but the problem is that I don't have much slack in the network cables to begin with, so in some cases, I'll have to move over the connections and may not have space to do so.

This is bound to give me grief moving forward and as such I've decided to look at what would be my options to make the best out of a **** design.

One option I've been toying with is to replace the gland in the bottom of the panel with an Ethernet connector that will then be an RJ45 plug inside the panel that I can simply run a simple patch to.

What other options would you think would be useful and what hardware as well?

You need an industrial patch panel to add the core network cable then use premade cables between your switch and internal devices. Everything to and from the field should hit the patch panel first.

I know you are limited in the room you have available but the links below are din rail mount and very small so you may be able to fit one them or move a device over a little bit to make one fit.

The first link is the Phoenix Contact unit and is my favorite but I have used all of the links below and they are all great products.

Also, remember the ethernet cable (field feeds and patch cables) needs to be rated for the highest voltage rating in the cabinet so most commonly 600 volts. Most industrial ethernet cable meets this spec but most office-grade cable does not.

I included a link to AB's bulk 600 volt cable also

Phoenix Contact Patch Panel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ge-72UKHP4

JCS Tach Patch Panel

https://jcstech.net.au/product/snap-compact-patch-panel-rj45-category-6-12-port/

Panduit Patch Panel

https://www.panduit.com/en/products...copper-faceplates-outlets-panels/cdpp8rg.html

AB Bulk Ethernet Cable

https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/br/1585-br001_-en-p.pdf

https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/pp/1585-pp003_-en-p.pdf

 

[cardosocea]

You need an industrial patch panel to add the core network cable then use premade cables between your switch and internal devices. Everything to and from the field should hit the patch panel first.

I know you are limited in the room you have available but the links below are din rail mount and very small so you may be able to fit one them or move a device over a little bit to make one fit.

The first link is the Phoenix Contact unit and is my favorite but I have used all of the links below and they are all great products.

Also, remember the ethernet cable (field feeds and patch cables) needs to be rated for the highest voltage rating in the cabinet so most commonly 600 volts. Most industrial ethernet cable meets this spec but most office-grade cable does not.

I included a link to AB's bulk 600 volt cable also

Phoenix Contact Patch Panel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ge-72UKHP4

JCS Tach Patch Panel

https://jcstech.net.au/product/snap-compact-patch-panel-rj45-category-6-12-port/

Panduit Patch Panel

https://www.panduit.com/en/products...copper-faceplates-outlets-panels/cdpp8rg.html

AB Bulk Ethernet Cable

https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/br/1585-br001_-en-p.pdf

https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/pp/1585-pp003_-en-p.pdf

Thanks for the product tips. The panel has space if I get rid of a bunch of useless power distribution that wasn't correctly provisioned and the DIN rail mount seems good. I can sort of stagger in two rows if needed for the cabling to neatly stack and then route the flexible patches.

 

[JesperMP]

Phoenix Contact Patch Panel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ge-72UKHP4

I kinda like this one with terminals:
Patch-Panel - PP-RJ-SC - 2703016
It seems like a neat way to get the cable into the cabinet and also terminate the screen properly. And with the terminals you dont have to also add a connector to the cable coming in from the outside.
Vey expensive for what it is though. If we had to use CAT6 - 8 wires I might consider it.

What we do now (with CAT5E, i.e. 4 wires) is to get the cables into the cabinet, and directly onto the switch using Profnet connectors. The switch is placed low in the cabinet so it becomes the patch panel.

 

[cardosocea]

Vey expensive for what it is though.

Considering I almost spat my coffee when I saw the price, I'd say it's the understatement of the year. LOL

 

[JesperMP]

Siemens has something similar, all-metal housing.
6GK1901-1FC00-0AA0 for 4-wire, or 6GK1901-1BE00-0AA2 for 8-wire gigabit.
At one third the price.
Only problem is that I find them kinda too big and clunky.