Monthly Archives: April 2023

The popularity of Power over Ethernet (PoE) is growing. Since it was introduced in 2003 as a way to both transmit data and deliver power on a computer network, the PoE market has reached $2 billion. It is expected to hit $3.2 billion by 2030, according to market analysis firm Market Research Future.

Two key devices on a PoE network are splitters and injectors. A PoE splitter allows a PoE-enabled Ethernet cable to be split into separate power and data cables. A PoE injector injects electricity onto an Ethernet cable to supply power to PoE-enabled devices.

This blog post explains what splitters and injectors can do for your PoE deployment. It also covers some terms you will encounter while shopping for splitters and injectors − such as the difference between “mid-span” and “end-span” devices, and the significance of a few key standards that regulate the design of these products.

But first, in case you are new to the world of Power over Ethernet, let’s start with a summary of what it can do for you.

Power + Data = PoE

Power over Ethernet is a technology that allows network cables to carry electrical power along with data, enabling a single Ethernet cable to provide both to a device. It is commonly used to power devices such as wireless access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones without the need for a separate power supply.

PoE works by injecting DC power into the Ethernet cable in a way th

RJ45 Color Codes Explained

An RJ45 connector is a modular, eight-position, eight-pin connector used for terminating Cat5e or Cat6 twisted-pair cable. An RJ45 color code or “pinout” is a specific arrangement of wires that dictate how the connector is terminated. Since the color code specifies the order in which the individual wires within the cable should be connected to the pins on the RJ45 connector, knowing the color code is essential when you need to make or repair Ethernet cables.

There are multiple pinouts for RJ45 connectors, including:

• Straight-through (T568A or T568B)
• Crossover
• Rolled
• T1
• Loopback

Straight-through is the most common type of cable and is used for connecting your computer to your network. The other RJ45 color codes are for specialty cables that are used for unique network applications.

Within the family of straight-through R45 color codes, there are two standards recognized by ANSI, TIA, and EIA:

• The T568B wiring standard is seen as the default wiring scheme for twisted-pair structured cabling in the U.S. It uses four pairs of wires, with each pair being a different color.
• The T568A wiring standard differs from T568B only in the order of the green and orange pairs. However, it has been surpassed by T568B – if you are unsure of which standard to use, choose T568B.

We recommend using the same wiring scheme on both ends of a cable to ensure proper connectivity.

T-568A RJ45 Color Code

T-568B RJ45 Color Code

Think about the types of cables you use to connect your electronic devices. How many of those cable formats were being used 20, 30 or 40 years ago?

If you come up empty here, let us jog your memory and call attention to the humble but still-relevant composite audio/video RCA cable. These cables with their familiar red, white and yellow connectors continue to provide dependable, cost-effective connections for audio and video devices.

RCA audio and video cables are not quite as popular as they used to be. In many cases they have been edged out by non-RCA formats, such as HDMI cables. However, RCA remains alive and well. This blog post examines six reasons why they still make sense for many consumers. But first, a little background …

Composite RCA vs. Component RCA

The most common composite RCA cables contain either two or three lines. The red and white connectors of a two-line model carry the right and left audio channels of a stereo signal. The added yellow connector of three-line models transmits the video signal.

A second type of three-line RCA cable has red, green and blue (RGB) connectors on each end. This RGB component RCA cable carries a premium “component video” signal, which does not include audio. It divides the video into three parts: two for color information and one for luma (brightness).

Now for the six reasons why RCA is still popular.

1. RCA Cables Are Versatile

RCA cables transmit audio and/or video signals for a wide variety of equipment.

• They are used for video signage and video surveillance.
• They connect laptop and desktop computers to home theater systems.
• They link some televisions to DV

Rain, snow, wind, and extreme temperatures can wreak havoc on your networking and electrical equipment, causing costly downtime and repair bills. That's where weatherproof NEMA enclosures come in. These sturdy, protective boxes shield your equipment from external hazards, ensuring that your network stays up and running, no matter the weather.

So, how do these NEMA enclosures work, and what are their benefits? Today, we'll discuss the role of weatherproof enclosures in protecting your network infrastructure from environmental hazards.

Understanding Weatherproof NEMA Enclosures

NEMA enclosures are specially designed protective boxes that house networking and electrical equipment, protecting it from exposure to the elements. They are made of durable materials, such as metal, plastic, or fiberglass, that can withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain, snow, wind, and extreme temperatures.

Weatherproof enclosures come in various sizes and styles, such as NEMA or IP-rated boxes. For instance, you can check the 24-inch SMC-NEIA-FL-6609 outdoor network cabinet, which is IP66-rated and contains 120VAC 10A fans to prevent overheating due to extreme temperature and operational workloads.

Industry-standard Ratings for Weatherproof NEMA Enclosures

To ensure that weatherproof enclosures meet specific requirements, manufacturers use industry-standard ratings such as NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) and IP (Ingress Protection).

The RJ45 connector is a small but powerful device at the core of Ethernet networking, which has become an essential part of our lives – from streaming movies to video conferencing. It's what enables us to access the digital world.

This article will explore this vital component and unravel the mystery behind its role in Ethernet networking. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a curious beginner, read on to discover how it keeps us connected and how to find the right RJ45 connector for your needs.

What are RJ45 Connectors?

RJ45 connectors are small, modular plugs used to interconnect devices in Ethernet networks. The name is derived from the 8P8C design of these connectors, which has become a standard for connecting computers and other peripherals such as routers and switches.

An RJ45 connector consists of a plastic body with metal contacts on either side that connect two electrical circuits; its PoE (Power over Ethernet) version can even power up devices such as IP cameras, VoIP phones, and access points.

4 Reasons to Use RJ45 for Ethernet Networking

1. Cost-effectiveness: RJ45 connectors are relatively inexpensive and easy to install such as an EZ-RJ45 Cat5e feed-through connector for solid & standard cables.
2. Pinout verification: Before you crimp an RJ45 connector, verify your pinout to reduce any possible damages.
3. High-speed data communication: RJ45 connectors transfer data at lightning speed, depending on your network cable. The Cat8 RJ45 Field Termination Plug, a shielded RJ45 plug supporting PoE++ applications, can comfortably handle network connections with speeds up to 10, 25, or even 40 Gbps.
4. Universal acceptance: The 8P8C design of the RJ45 connector is widely accepted by many networking devices across different vendors. This makes connecting your computer or peripheral to any Ethernet network easier, regardless of where they come from.

RJ45 vs RJ11: How are They Different?

When talking about RJ45 connectors, it is important to consider their counterpart – the RJ11 connector. Even though they may appear similar, these two types have distinct applications.

The RJ45 connector has eight pins and eight wires and is 6mm by 11mm in size – primarily used to enable high–speed data transfer between computers, Wi–Fi routers, fiber modems, and NBN boxes.

In contrast, the RJ11 connector has four wires and four pins; it's smaller than its sibling at 6mm by 9.5mm and is mainly used for ADSL/VDSL connections or telephone networks. Check out our RJ11 to RJ45 wiring diagram to see the difference. RJ12 connectors are the newer version of RJ11.

Common Classifications of RJ45 Connectors

RJ45 connectors are classified based on the type of wiring used. The most common types of RJ45 connectors include Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat7.

Cat5e is the go–to Ethernet cable, utilizing an RJ45 Cat5e connector and perfect for home networks where data transmission speeds rarely exceed 100 Mbps.

For more demanding applications such as data centers and cloud computing networks, Cat6, Cat7 and Cat8 standards are used.

RJ45 Connector Accessories

RJ45 facilitates a wide selection of accessories, making Ethernet networking more convenient and productive. These include crimping tools, patch panels, couplers, adapters, and cable tester kits.

For example, the RJ45 Field Termination Jack is a br